Is it ever too early to start an anti-aging skincare routine? According to experts, the answer is no. It's never too early to start targeting specific concerns like pigmentation, fine lines, and dulling skin by incorporating anti-aging ingredients into your regimen. Even a simple routine consisting of a cleanser and sunscreen can be effective.
Understanding the Aging Process and Skin Changes
Life is always changing, and your skin changes along with it. Some of these changes occur as you alter your lifestyle, and others happen as your body shifts into new phases of life. All of this means that the way you care for your skin should evolve as your life does.
The natural aging process is slightly different for everyone, but the first signs of aging skin tend to appear in your 30s and 40s. This is when skin begins to lose more and more of the vital components it needs to maintain its elasticity and moisture levels-leading to visible skin aging.
Signs of aging that can be addressed with a proper anti-aging skin care routine include:
- Wrinkles and fine lines: Wrinkles and fine lines are usually one of the first visible signs of aging noticed by men and women. They tend to be most noticeable on your face (especially around your eyes and mouth), as well as your neck. Wrinkles and fine lines occur with age as your skin becomes more fragile and can be worsened by many factors, such as smoking or UV exposure.
- Dullness: Over time, you may notice your complexion showing signs of dullness, splotchiness, or uneven skin tone. This is often the result of photodamage to your skin over time.
- Dry skin: Skin eventually starts to produce less of the natural oils (a.k.a. sebum) that are needed to help keep your skin looking hydrated and plump. This typically results in drier skin (especially for those 40 and over) that may feel itchy, tight, or uncomfortable. Fine lines and wrinkles are also usually more pronounced.
- Age spots: As skin begins to age, you might notice age spots (also known as sun spots) appearing more frequently. These flat, dark areas on the skin usually appear wherever your skin is most exposed to the sun’s rays-including your hands, arms, and face. Age spots are typically harmless but may be a sign that extra sun protection is needed.
- Rough skin texture: Skin that feels drier with age may take on a rougher texture and might not look as smooth as it once did. This change in overall skin texture is a natural result of the skin’s aging process.
- Visible pores: One common complaint among those with mature skin is often larger, more visible pores. Although pore size is largely genetic and varies from person to person, you may notice enlarged pores over time.
- Sagging skin: As you age, your skin increasingly loses structural components like elastin and collagen.
Key Anti-Aging Ingredients
A simple routine should include these scientifically proven anti-aging ingredients:
Read also: Facial Serum for Wrinkles
- Gentle cleanser
- Vitamin C
- Retinol
- Moisturizer
- Broad-spectrum sunscreen
Gentle Cleanser
At a minimum, you want to wash your face at least once per day. Many people can benefit from both a morning and evening cleansing routine, but if you can’t make twice a day happen, cleansing at least once per day is important. When you cleanse, you want to use a mild, gentle face cleanser.
You don’t need to scrub your face with rough cloths or use those “exfoliating” cleansers that feel like sand. In fact, those methods can be very irritating to your skin and damage your skin’s moisture barrier - the outermost layer of your skin that locks moisture in. When it comes to choosing cleansers and face washes, keep it simple and gentle. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser was designed to cleanse and refresh the skin without over-stripping it or leaving it feeling tight and dry. Featuring three essential ceramides to restore the skin's barrier, hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin, and MVE Delivery Technology to supply the skin with a steady stream of nourishment, this non-comedogenic face wash is an effective yet non-irritating way to start off any skincare regimen.
For women over 50, the natural decline in your skin’s moisture levels and elasticity may mean that your old cleanser is too harsh for your skin. Oil-based cleansers are not only more gentle, they also add moisture back into the skin, helping to combat age-related dehydration. Our Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil is the perfect addition to your skincare routine in your 50s. It digs deep into pores to dissolve makeup and impurities while delivering powerful antioxidants known to target UV damage and signs of aging.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps defend against free radicals. When used consistently, a face serum with vitamin C can play a powerful role in your anti-aging skincare regimen by delivering skin-brightening benefits and improving the appearance of fine lines, dark spots, and uneven skin tone. A number of studies have shown that vitamin C can help improve the look of wrinkles. For example, one study reported that using vitamin C helped to lessen the appearance of wrinkles on the face and neck, while enhancing the skin’s texture and overall appearance.1 This potent antioxidant helps defend against free radicals, which can lead to dryness, rough surface texture, and signs of premature aging in the upper layers of the skin. It is found in antioxidant serums, eye creams, and facial moisturizers that can help address various aging concerns.
Our gentle, yet effective lightweight vitamin C serum with three essential ceramides also helps to restore your protective skin barrier, and includes moisturizing hyaluronic acid, and soothing vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) to help improve skin hydration. Plus, MVE technology continually releases moisturizing ingredients for all-day hydration.
Read also: Learn about ingredients that combat sugar-induced skin aging.
Vitamin C helps your body produce collagen. Collagen is the protein that provides structure, support and strength to your skin, as well as your muscles, bones and connective tissues. Your body naturally produces less collagen as you age, which contributes to crepey, saggy and wrinkled skin.“Vitamin C is a co-factor in collagen synthesis, and so it can help boost your collagen production,” Stein says. “That will help your skin plump up and minimize the look of wrinkles.”
Some moisturizers and other products may include vitamin C as an ingredient. Stein suggests using a vitamin C-concentrated serum for maximum effect. Products containing vitamin C may be marketed as containing “ascorbic acid” or “L-ascorbic acid,” which are other names for vitamin C.
Any product you use that contains vitamin C should come in an opaque (can’t see through) container that reduces its exposure to light. Vitamin C can be inactivated by light, so you want to steer clear of vitamin C products that come in a clear bottle or in a jar with a wide opening. The shelf life for vitamin C products is only about six months before they start to lose their effectiveness.
Retinol
Another key ingredient in anti-aging skin care is retinol. It also goes by the name vitamin A or retinoid, which is the prescription version. All are referring to the same anti-aging powerhouse ingredient. Retinol, which is a derivative of vitamin A, delivers many anti-aging properties when used as part of a consistent skincare routine. It has been shown to help improve skin tone and minimize visible fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, and post-blemish marks. Because it helps to prevent the build-up of dead skin cells,2 retinol products can be beneficial for anyone looking to refine and smooth their complexion for fresher, younger-looking skin. It’s important to slowly work your way up to daily use when adding a retinol serum to your anti-aging regimen in order to avoid any irritation.
Retinol is a nutrient that encourages exfoliation. It increased the turnover rate of your skin, meaning it will help old skin cells shed away, replacing them with newer, healthier, shinier skin cells. Retinol can also help minimize wrinkles and fine lines by slowing the breakdown of collagen. Because it helps clear away old cells, retinol will also help treat acne by unclogging blocked pores and unearthing blackheads and whiteheads. It can also help to prevent future acne.
Read also: Your guide to a flatter belly: 4-day plan.
Now, all this exfoliating power can have its downsides. Retinol can be irritating to some people’s skin, particularly if you’re new to using it or if you have naturally sensitive skin. Stein suggests that if using retinol is irritating to your skin, you could first apply a thin layer of moisturizer to your face before applying retinol. That will give your skin a little barrier while still allowing the retinol to do its job. Prescription-strength retinoid isn’t necessary for most people, Stein also says. It can be expensive and may not be covered by insurance. Prescription retinoids may work faster in some people, but you should start to see improvements in your skin in about three months with regular use of over-the-counter retinol products.
Moisturizer
Hydrated skin is healthy skin. And healthy skin looks younger. As we age, our skin naturally creates less oil. Including a moisturizing face cream in your routine helps replace those oils. Plus, moisturizers can temporarily add some fullness to your skin, helping to reduce those fine lines and wrinkles. Some moisturizers contain additional anti-aging ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, ceramides and various exfoliating skin care acids. Choose a moisturizer based on your skin care needs.
You’ll want to be careful about over-doing it on certain ingredients, Stein notes. If you’re using a retinol serum on its own, you probably don’t need a face cream that contains retinol. Same with other anti-aging ingredients. Aim for products that complement each other and address your skin care needs, as opposed to doubling up on the same ingredients in multiple products.
For women over 50, the best skincare includes plenty of extra hydration, plus ceramides and lipids to help replenish the underlying fat layer that keeps skin looking smooth and supple. Our Squalane + Omega Repair Cream Contains omega fatty acids, ceramides, and sugarcane-based squalane to deeply hydrate, repair, and help restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Layer it by first applying a dropper of our Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum for an instant plumping effect, extra hydration, and improvement in the look of fine lines and wrinkles. The skin on your body may also feel especially dry. Deeply hydrate and seal in moisture from head to toe with 100% Squalane Oil. This vegan, fragrance-free moisturizer is bioidentical to your skin’s natural moisture, providing deep hydration while protecting it against further moisture loss.
Sunscreen
Stein says that regular use of sunscreen is hands-down the most important product in your anti-aging routine. And not just for summer or when you’re going to be outside on a sunny day. Use sunscreen every day. Sunlight emits both UVA and UVB rays. Think of it like this: UVA for aging. UVB for burning. So, even on days when the sunshine isn’t at peak sunburn level, it’s still emitting those UVA aging rays. And UVA is sneaky. It affects you through the windows in your home or office and through your car’s windshield.
“Typically, people don’t experience a sunburn if they’re in the car for a long time, but they still get the aging effects from the sun,” Stein states. “Or if you go on a quick walk on your lunch break on a cloudy day, you probably aren’t going to get a sunburn, but you’re still absorbing those rays and damaging your skin.” She adds that the best sunblock is whatever kind you’ll use every day. Whether you prefer a chemical sunblock, a mineral one or a spray, the choice is yours. Just make sure it’s at least SPF 30.
As for those powdered sunscreens? They’re good for a quick afternoon touchup, but it’s best not to rely on them on their own and not for full-day use. If you’re looking for efficiency in your skin care routine, try a moisturizer-sunscreen combination product to cut down on the number of products you need.
Reef-safe, 100% mineral sunscreen - like our NEW Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen - works like an invisible suit of armor, bouncing UVA and UVB rays off the surface of your skin so that they can’t penetrate and cause damage. Dermatologists recommend using a broad spectrum SPF 30 sun like ours every day. Our sunscreen also contains our hero ingredient, sugarcane-based squalane. This cruelty-free hydrator is bioidentical to the moisture in human skin. It’s deeply moisturizing, and also helps our non-nano zinc penetrate deeper to provide better protection while also priming for makeup and helping to extend wear.
Sample Anti-Aging Skincare Routines
Here are a couple of simple routines you can follow, adjusting based on your skin's needs:
Morning Routine
- Wash with a gentle cleanser.
- Apply vitamin C serum.
- Apply moisturizer.
- Apply sunscreen (if it’s not included in your moisturizer).
Evening Routine
- Wash with a gentle cleanser.
- Apply retinol.
- Apply moisturizer.
Additional Tips for Sensitive Skin
- Start slow: When introducing new products, especially those with active ingredients like retinol, start slowly. Use the product every other day or a few times a week to allow your skin to adjust.
- Patch test: Before applying a new product to your entire face, test it on a small area (like your inner arm) to check for any adverse reactions.
- Avoid harsh ingredients: Stay away from products containing alcohol, fragrances, and other potential irritants.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out.
- Consult a dermatologist: If you have sensitive skin, it's always a good idea to consult a dermatologist for personalized recommendations.
Age-Specific Skincare
Skincare in Your 20s: Preserve and Protect
Take it from us: you’ll wish you’d given yourself a lot more grace in your 20s when it comes to your appearance, especially your skin. Twenty-something skin is amazing! It’s got bounce and fullness that scream I’m young and the world is my oyster. But here’s the thing: that incredible suppleness doesn’t last. And it disappears much faster if you don’t protect your face from the sun.
You’ve probably heard this ad nauseam at this point, but we’ll say it again. Wear SPF. Every. Darn. Day. It’s the key to effective skincare in your 20’s, as it helps delay dark spots, fine lines, and other premature signs of aging. And, no, moisturizer with SPF doesn’t cut it. Sunscreen is more than just an ingredient. To truly protect you, it needs to form a protective film on top of your skin to shield it. Moisturizer with SPF also tends to be less water-resistant, making it less than ideal for outdoor workouts or beach days.
The twenty-something years can yield a few different types of acne, including blemishes due to oily skin, or hormonal acne, which often pops up specifically on the chin. Adult acne deserves a different approach from the harsh astringents and cleansers you may have tried during your teenage years. These harsh irritants often make adult acne worse. If you suffer from acne, skincare in your 20’s needs to be gentle, but effective.
Building a Skincare Routine in Your 30s: Get Serious About Exfoliation
Between career, relationships, and maybe even kids, our 30’s are when life really starts to speed up. Unfortunately, our skin doesn’t follow suit. Your 30’s are when skin cell turnover starts slowing down, leaving a dull-looking layer of dead skin cells sitting on top of the brighter, healthier skin underneath. Adding a chemical exfoliant to your skincare routine in your 30’s can help. It helps to dissolve that layer of dead skin cells to reveal the new skin underneath.
Dermatologists recommend incorporating vitamin C into your skincare routine in your 30’s. This powerful antioxidant works to fight free radicals while also addressing existing sun damage including hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles. It also brightens and supports elasticity and collagen production, which also begins to wane in your 30’s.
An Anti-Aging Skincare Routine For Your 40’s: Support Collagen Production
A loss of estrogen during this decade may cause a loss of collagen and elasticity, making your face feel less plump and bouncy than it used to. That’s why collagen-boosting peptides are a must for any anti-aging skincare routine in your 40’s. Improve the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin with our Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum.
Vitamin C is essential to an anti-aging skincare routine for your 40’s. If you incorporated this proven-effective ingredient in your 30’s, keep going. And if not, start right away. This is one the best steps to take when trying to create a skin care routine for aging skin. Vitamin C has been shown to have cumulative results with continued use. So not only will it help prevent new dark spots and fine lines from forming, it will also work to improve the appearance of the ones you already have.
Don’t Neglect Your Neck. The delicate skin in these areas is changing in the same way your face is, and it’s important to support it as it matures. The backs of your hands are another area that deserves some TLC.
The Best Skincare For Women Over 50: Ease Your Skin Into Hormonal Change
When menopause causes estrogen levels to plummet, many women notice an increase in dryness and wrinkling as well as thinning of the skin. The best skincare for women over 50 includes plenty of extra hydration, plus ceramides and lipids to help replenish the underlying fat layer that keeps skin looking smooth and supple.
The natural decline in your skin’s moisture levels and elasticity may mean that your old cleanser is too harsh for your skin. Oil-based cleansers are not only more gentle, they also add moisture back into the skin, helping to combat age-related dehydration.
When to Start an Anti-Aging Routine
It’s never too early to start an anti-aging skin care routine. Never too late, either. Starting younger is better - before your skin starts to age naturally. There’s no rule saying that an anti-aging routine can’t start in your 30s, 40s or 50s and beyond. While you won’t erase decades of damage to your skin, some signs of aging can be stopped, and even reversed at least to some extent in a lot of people.
Give It Time
When adding new products to your skin care routine, it’s always best to take it slow. If you start by adding a slew of new products at once, you won’t know which one (or ones) are actually having the effect you’re looking for. And now, you have a laundry list of products to continue to buy when it really may only be one or two of them that you need. Additionally, if you try a bunch of new ingredients at once and have a reaction, like redness or itching, it’ll be harder to pinpoint the cause of the irritation.
You also want to allow your products time to work. Skin care is more of a marathon than a sprint. Undoing years of aging won’t happen overnight. It’s likely that when you start using new skin care ingredients, your skin will actually look like it’s getting worse before it gets better. It’s called skin purging, and it’s totally normal and a good sign. Skin purging means that your skin care products are doing their job - they’re cleaning house. And just like when you organize the basement, things tend to get a little messy before they look better. She recommends giving any new skin care products about three months before you can expect to see results.
Other Ways to Care for Your Skin
Healthy, younger-looking skin isn’t just about the things you rub on your face. It also starts from the inside. Just like any other part of your body, your skin can reflect your overall health.
- Eat a well-balanced diet.
- Get enough sleep.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Manage your stress. (They don’t call them “worry lines” for nothing.)