Great Skin at Every Age

Whether you’re in your twenties, fifties or somewhere in between, it’s never too late to have great skin at every age. While the basic routine of cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection remains the same, each decade has its own challenges. Knowing what the main skin dilemma is and adapting your products to address the problem will go a long way toward achieving healthy, glowing skin.

Regardless of age, there are certain extrinsic factors that can age us, “outside” influences such as the environment and lifestyle. Unprotected sun exposure, pollution, smoking and diet can all lead to premature signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles and a dull complexion. Using an effective, broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, making sure that we remove our makeup every night and including generous portions of fruits and vegetables in our diet will certainly help mitigate those factors.

Intrinsic factors of aging are determined by our genetic make-up. For the most part, these cannot be altered. But don’t throw in the towel yet! You may think that there’s little you can do to influence the appearance of your skin, but nothing could be further from the truth and it’s never too late to start.

In your 20s: While these are the glory days for your skin, you may be dealing with acne. In addition to cleaning off dirt and makeup before going to bed, ensure your products are non-comedogenic and oil-free. To keep breakouts and acne in check, treat with salicylic acid. Neostrata’s Blemish Spot Gel uses a combination of 2% salicylic acid and 5% glycolic acid to remove the build-up of dead skin cells and prevent pores from being clogged.
In your 30s: You may start noticing fine lines, hyperpigmentation and a dull complexion. Now’s the time to add anti-aging products into the mix, including an antioxidant serum to fight free radicals and repair existing sun damage. Our pick? Apothekari’s Undercover Agent Serum with vitamins C, E and ferulic acid to feed your skin. To promote cell turnover and bring back the glow, Reversa’s Corrective Night Cream with 4% glycolic acid will give new meaning to the term “beauty sleep”.
In your 40s: Loss of collagen and elasticity are the hallmarks of skin in the 40’s. This decade is probably our most defensive where our game plan is to slow down the visible aging process. Meet retinoids, your new best friend. With oodles of scientifically-backed studies to prove their efficacy, retinoids are at the top of the list when it comes to anti-aging ingredients and arguably the closest thing to a skin care miracle. Not only do retinoids boost collagen production, but regular use will reduce pigmentation, improve the look of wrinkles and even out skin tone. Apothekari’s A is for Anti-aging Retinal Serum gives you all the benefits but in a gentle formulation. Avoid overtaxing the skin by incorporating retinoids into your skin care routine gradually and use on alternating days with glycolic acid treatments.
In your 50s and beyond: Thanks to fluctuations in hormone levels, the 50’s and beyond bring their own skin challenges, like acne, dry skin and sagging. Although it’s impossible to hold back the hands of time indefinitely, continuing your great skin care habits is a must. To counteract increasing dryness, we like La Roche Posay’s Hydraphase Intense Riche. With shea butter and hyaluronic acid, it helps the skin not only rehydrate but also retain moisture.