In your 20s the skin is strong and recovers easily, so the focus is on prevention, above all with sun protection, and on building good habits and a simple routine. What you do now lays the foundations for how your skin feels for the rest of your life.
Here is what happens to the skin in your 20s, and how to lay foundations that last.
What happens to the skin in your 20s?
At this age collagen and elastin production is high, cell renewal is fast and the skin recovers easily. What you see in the mirror is rarely ageing, but rather acne and blemishes, uneven skin tone, oily or dry skin, and perhaps the first traces of sun. Many are still dealing with hormonal acne well into their 20s.
That does not mean nothing is happening beneath the surface. Sun damage starts building up now, long before it shows as dark spots or lines. A large part of what we later call ageing is in fact laid down at this age.
The most important thing: prevention
The key word for your 20s is prevention. What you prioritise now pays off enormously later:
- Sun protection every day is the single best investment in your future skin, whatever the weather and the season.
- A simple, regular routine of cleansing, moisturising and sun protection beats expensive, complicated routines.
- Leave spots and blemishes alone as far as you can, because that is how marks and scars (post-inflammatory pigmentation) form.
- Good habits, sleep, water and not smoking, show in the skin more than you might think.
Treatments that suit your 20s
At this age it is mostly about keeping the skin clean, balanced and healthy, rather than rebuilding lost collagen. Regular facials that deep-cleanse and balance the skin make a big difference, especially if you have acne or blemishes. If you have marks left after acne, skin-renewing treatments can help even them out. And if you want to start preventing early, that is never wrong, because the skin responds quickly and gratefully at this age.
The most important thing is not to over-treat. Young skin rarely needs intensive anti-ageing measures, it needs the right foundation. At a consultation we help you find a routine and any treatments that suit your skin.
Curious how the skin changes from here? Carry on with skincare in your 30s, or read about our work on long-term skin health.
