For most of us, this is a decade of massive change. While your career, clothing, friends, and lifestyle begin to mature, your skin starts to as well. For those who have battled acne and breakouts, this is welcomed change, while for others, it brings a newly found obsession with checking the mirror for dark spots and fine lines. Much like life, no two skin journeys are the same, so whether you’re focused on tackling blemishes or preventing collagen loss, here’s a guide to helping you maneuver this decade of change and putting yourself on a path towards aging beautifully. 

Your skin concerns 
While hormones begin to fluctuate less in your early 20s than they did in your teenage years, almost everyone can expect the occasional breakout and some may still even be dealing with full-on acne. While your skin is still naturally bright and plump, your collagen levels will begin to slow, so it’s important to start practicing preventative care. It is in your late 20s that you might start to notice the effects of this slowdown as well as sun damage in the form of discoloration, fine lines, and textured skin. 

Preventative skincare 
A good glow starts from the inside, so the biggest step you can take is treating your body with the respect that it deserves. Trade in processed foods for healthier options rich in antioxidants, quit smoking (or better yet don’t start), exercise regularly, sleep well, and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Also, finding outlets for stress such as yoga or meditation will be beneficial for not just your skin, but for your well-being. 

Enjoy the sun safety 
One of the best improvements you can make to your skincare routine is investing in a moisturizer with SPF and wearing it every day. Look for broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher that contains zinc oxide and titanium oxide. Keep in mind that if you’re staying indoors, one application will do, but if you’re outside for longer durations of time, make sure to continuously reapply. While this might seem like a small change to your routine, it can help slow aging by up to 90% and prevent the brown spots, crows feet, and fine lines you’ll otherwise begin to notice in your 30s. 

Switch to gentler products 
It’s time to ditch the harsh products of your teens that dried out your skin. Switch out any harsh cleansers, toners, and moisturizers for more gentle options. And while you’re at it, kick your harsh face scrubs to the curb and invest in a salicylic, alpha, or beta hydroxy acid. Making this switch will be key in safely and effectively removing the dead cells that will begin to build up on the surface of your skin. 

Practice Prevention 
Invest in a serum with hyaluronic acid. A humectant, it pulls moisture from the air and graciously adds it back into your skin. When paired with your Deminuage NanoPen, the hyaluronic acid will become 10-20x more effective at helping you to plump, brighten, and smooth. And whether you’re looking to continue your preventative care or seek out some relief from your adult acne woes, the answer is retinol. This miracle worker will help you with both. 

Know thy skin 
With what feels like a million different products out there to choose from, narrowing down which are best for you personally can seem daunting. So take the time to get to know your skin and what issues you’d like to resolve and find out which ingredients will best help you tackle them. This will help you narrow down your selection and choose the routine that’s best for you. Also, remember that aging is a natural part of life. While it’s important to stay healthy and take preventative steps to do so gracefully, it’s even more important to be kind to yourself and love the skin you’re in.