Beauty for all ages

Whether you're in your 20s or 60s, here's a complete skincare regimen to ensure you are always looking and feeling your best

As our skin ages, it becomes quite the task to manage its evolution, from hormonal changes to environmental effects to our own genetics. The simple question is: what can we do to make sure our skin is at its best? Let's take a look at our skin by decades, discovering what our skincare needs are and the ideal regimens to achieve our best beauty goals.

Teens and Early 20s
GOALS: Stay Clean
During our teens and early 20s, aim to keep your skin clean and prevent any unnecessary damage that will present itself later in life.

Your Regimen     
During the day: Cleanse your face in the morning to start the day fresh. Follow this up with a moisturiser and always apply SPF.
During the evening: Remove any dirt from the day with your cleanser, followed by a toner. Finally, moisturise the skin to wake up bright and fresh the next day.
Also.
. Note that your skin-type may change during these years. Note the varying shifts and use products that fit you best.

Late 20s
GOAL: Prevention     
This is the time in your life when environmental effects and lifestyle choices may begin to show. But don't worry, there are many ways to combat and reverse them as well as prevent future signs from showing.

Your Regimen     
During the day: Using a non-foam/soap cleanser is recommended to refrain from drying out your skin. Follow this up with a hydrating toner and remember that if you have acne, you can use a toner with AHA (for dry skin) or BHA (for oily skin) to help unclog your pores and dissolve blackheads. Apply your eye cream followed by your moisturiser and SPF 25-50.
During the evening: This may be the time where double cleansing is best for your skin, especially if you wear makeup. Use your toner and follow this up with a serum of your choice like a hyaluronic acid or Vitamin C serum. Follow with eye cream and moisturiser.
Also.
. You can add a Vitamin C serum to your morning routine, which would come before applying eye cream. Vitamin C is known for its brightening properties and is a protectant from environmental damage.
. At this age, it is recommended to exfoliate twice a week to not only maintain well-cleansed skin but to help keep your skin looking its best.
. It may be time to start considering regular facials.

30s
GOALS: Prevent and Correct
In your 30s, your aim should be to prevent ageing and correct environmental and sun damage. Expression lines, dark spots and acne scarring top the list of things to correct. You also have hormonal swings and increased stress that can cause additional skin issues.

Your Regimen     
During the day: Following your cleanser and toner, it is recommended to include a serum to your morning routine, followed by creams that have active ingredients like caffeine and a moisturiser with hyaluronic acid. Always follow with SPF and re-apply regularly.
During the evening: The 'Double Cleanse' should now be a staple in your routine. Use a balm or oil cleanser followed by a non-foaming lotion or gel cleanser. For sensitive skin, your toner may include additional ingredients like hyaluronic acid, BHA or salicylic acid. Instead of one serum, you may opt to have two or three. Some serums may have more than one potent or "active" ingredient so make sure you know what is in the products. A hydrating eye cream is highly recommended followed by your choice of moisturiser. Depending on your skin, you may use the same products you used in your late 20s, as well as something effective for nighttime use. These products may be thicker in consistency or include additional moisturising ingredients.
Also.
. Retinol or Retinoids are highly recommended for anti-ageing, smoother skin while helping exfoliate, fade dark spots and, well. so much more it seems like bragging. It is recommended to use retinol once a week, then increasing weekly until you are using it every other night.
. Some in their early 30s may require spot treatments for skin issues like pimples, acne scars or dark spots. These are products with active ingredients that are made to focus on a particular area as opposed to all over the face.
. Make sure to exfoliate twice a week.

Late 30s and 40s
GOALS: Prevent, Restore, Correct
As you approach your late 30s, your routine may not very long, but the active ingredients in the products you apply will go a long way.

Your Regimen     
During the day: After cleansing, toning, applying your serum(s) and eye cream, you may opt to spot treat before moisturising. For acne scars and dark spots, try Niacinamide, which can brighten these areas over time. For pimples, try either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Only a small amount of product is necessary to avoid irritation. Let the product dry before applying your moisturiser and sunscreen.
During the evening: If you haven't already started in your early 30s, it is highly recommended to have chemical exfoliating products in your skincare routine. After double cleansing, you have the toner and serum steps to chemically exfoliate your skin, resurface, soften skin, and lighten scaring to produce bump-free skin. This may include using a toner with glycolic acid or serums with lactic acids. There are many of these products in the market, so it is best to know what your skin needs before investing, but it surely is an investment. The addition of oil as a final step aids in sealing in all the evening skincare products so they can be absorbed without evaporating prematurely.
Also.
There are professional treatments you may opt for to improve the look of skin as it ages, such as laser photofacials and microneedling. Make sure to consult your doctor before performing such treatments as some, if done improperly, may cause irritation and scarring.

50s
GOALS: Restore and Maintain
As the skin becomes more delicate with age, it is best to treat it with care. This is when you stop increasing the amount of your retinol and maintain your chemical exfoliation and pigment correctors. Treatments like microneedling and peels may work well.

60s+
GOALS: Maintain
This is the time to go back to a basic skincare regimen. Strong retinoids and chemical exfoliates may be too irritating for your delicate skin. Skincare treatments you used in your 50s may still work well for you.
wknd@khaleejtimes.com