About Face: Skincare Routines for Every Age!

There’s a reason people call it “baby-soft skin.” That silky texture is unique to well…babies! As the years pass, our skin changes—and that feathery smoothness fades. “Just as athletes train their bodies to endure the physical toll of running, so, too, must they take the necessary precautions to keep their skin healthy regardless of age,” says marathon runner and dermatologist Adam Friedman, MD. Here’s how to keep your glow going during every decade so you can look as fit and fabulous as you feel!

20s

PROTECT AND PREVENT
Twenty-something skin hovers in the wonderland between acne and fine lines. Your levels of collagen and elastin—proteins that keep your skin supple— are high, and you’re less likely to experience breakouts than you were as an adolescent. But don’t take that youthful blush for granted. Because skin damage is cumulative, your habits now will show on your face forever.
RELATED ARTICLE: NATURAL BEAUTY
“Use this time to get into the habit of never going outside without sunscreen,” says Amy Wechsler, MD, author of The Mind-Beauty Connection. Overexposure to sun and environmental pollutants can accelerate the signs of aging. Wechsler also recommends washing your face before bed (no exceptions!) to prevent clogged pores, which can lead to a less even-toned complexion.
ACE YOUR AGE:
• Retire the harsh astringents, drying anti-acne treatments and soaps of your teen years.
• Start your day with moisturizer and sunscreen. We like Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 ($21 for 2.5 oz., kiehls.com) layered with Aveeno Hydrosport Sunblock Spray SPF 30 ($9, drugstore.com).
• No more going to bed without removing your makeup! Use nonirritating face wash like Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash ($5, drugstores).