Skin Care Dos and Don’ts for Every Decade of Your Life

Your skin changes as you age. So it stands to reason that you should alter your skin care routine throughout your life to better deal with your skin’s needs. It used to be that women would stick to the same skin care regimen for life. But as skin care technology advances, a wider variety of skin care products are now available to treat the unique needs of your skin.

Dos and Don’ts of Good Skin Care Through the Ages

When looking at the dos and don’ts of good skin care, the one big “don’t” that’s true for any age is don’t sunbathe. The sun’s UV rays can damage skin, and that damage is cumulative. As we age, years of sun damage can wreak havoc on your skin, so the best thing you can do is to avoid the sun at any age. Always wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more. Avoid the sun during the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. When outdoors, cover your body with long sleeves and pants and wear a wide-brimmed hat.

Skin Care in Your 20s

Moisturize your skin.

Bacteria causes pimples. If blemishes are still an issue for you, use a cleanser with salicylic acid to help keep your pores clear of bacteria.

Don’t overdo your makeup. In your 20s, your skin is still plump and youthful so you probably don’t need a foundation with full coverage. Try a tinted moisturizer instead.

Skin Care in Your 30s

Moisturize your skin.

During your 30s you will start to notice some fine lines and wrinkles. You will start to lose the elasticity in your skin and you may notice an uneven skin tone. This is the perfect time to start using a retinoid product to help delay some of these problems.

It takes longer for your skin to regenerate as we age, so during your 30s you may begin to notice that your skin looks duller and less radiant. You can consult a skin care specialist to get a glycolic peel, which will help to quickly reveal fresh skin. Moisturize your skin with a moisturizer that contains glycolic or lactic acid. This will also help to regenerate your skin.

Skin Care in Your 40s

Moisturize your skin, but don’t use the same moisturizer you used when you were younger. You’ll want to use a product that can help address those fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots. Try using products that contain peptides and coenzyme Q10. To help even out your skin tone, use skin care products that contain alpha hydroxy acid.

Skin Care in Your 50s and Beyond

It’s time to use a heavier cream. At this stage of life, your glands will start producing less and less oil, so your skin will become drier and more sensitive. By using a more emollient cream, you can give your skin the moisture it needs. Look for creams that contain antioxidants and ceramides. Start washing your face with a mild cleanser instead of soap.

Start using an eye cream in your 50s. Try using an eye cream that contains silicone to help minimize the appearance of fine lines around the eyes.

Remember, professional skin care products will help support healthy skin throughout your lifetime, and your skin care professional will help guide you to the right products for your particular skin issues and your stage of life.

To learn more about sun damage and our professional skin care products, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Port City Plastic Surgery serves Charleston, Daniel Island, Mount Pleasant and Summerville, South Carolina from two locations in Charleston and Daniel Island.