An Easy Skincare Routine For Your 20's: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Your twenties are the perfect time to establish a skincare routine that will benefit you for years to come. However, because your skin is still more delicate and resilient in your 20’s, your skincare routine and skincare products should be tailored accordingly.
Below, you’ll find simple skincare routines (including affordable product recommendations and a few pro tips) to get you started on your skincare journey⭐
Kick off your good skincare habits now to prevent premature aging and help you maintain your glowy, youthful skin for as long as possible!
If you’d like to learn more about building an “anti-aging” skincare routine in your 20’s, check out: How to Start an Anti-Aging Routine in Your 20’s
A Quick and Easy Morning Skincare Routine
Given that youthful skin is a bit more delicate than mature skin, your daily routine should prioritize gentle, non-irritating ingredients, and avoid harsh chemicals and exfoliants. Here are the steps for your morning:
Step 1: Gentle Cleanser
Start with a pH-balanced cleanser to remove overnight oil buildup without stripping your skin. Look for nourishing ingredients like ceramides or glycerin.
🧴 Product Recommendations:
Another option if you have sensitive skin is to simply rinse your face with water in the morning instead of using a cleanser. Depending on your skin, this could be all you need before you move to the rest of your skincare routine.
Step 2: Toner
Though some say a toner isn’t necessary to use, toners help to balance your skin’s pH and prepare your skin to better absorb the other products in your routine (and who doesn’t want better product absorption?).
🧴 Product Recommendations:
Thayers Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Facial Toner (this is the first toner I ever tried, and I think it’s great for skincare beginners!)
Step 3: Treatment
This is an optional step, but treatment serums or ampoules can help deliver potent ingredients to your skin during the day. An ingredient that is especially great for daytime is Vitamin C as its antioxidant properties can help protect your skin from environmental stressors.
🧴 Product Recommendations:
SeoulCeuticals Day Glow Serum (great Vitamin C / Hyaluronic Acid Serum!)
Step 4: Moisturizer
Your moisturizer helps seal in moisture and prior skincare ingredients into your skin. Even if you have oily skin, don't skip this step! To help avoid clogged pores, breakouts, and shiny skin, try to choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic formula.
*Of note, your moisturizer and sunscreen can be combined in a single product. Just make sure that the sunscreen provides enough moisture for your skin’s needs.
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Step 5: Sunscreen (SPF 30+ minimum)
This is probably the most important step in your daytime skincare routine to prevent premature aging. Apply sunscreen generously to your face and neck, and try to reapply every 2 hours if you’re going to be outdoors.
The ones below are super lightweight, blend in easily without whitecast, and don’t leave your skin looking or feeling greasy.
🧴 Product Recommendations:
If you’re looking for a good sunscreen that’s gentle enough for sensitive skin, check out: 5 Lightweight Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin
A Simple Evening Routine
At night, your skin is repairing and regenerating itself. It’s also safer from environmental stressors since you’re indoors and in bed. As such, this is a great time to try out more potent actives and heavier ingredients as they have time to work more effectively without the extra risks of irritation.
Below is a baseline night routine - in the proper order of skincare product application and including product recommendations - that is great for overall skin health.
Step 1: Cleanse (double cleanse if wearing makeup or heavy sunscreen)
Cleansing is probably the most important step of your nighttime routine because it helps rid your skin of the grime from the day, and creates an optimal canvas for your subsequent skincare products to get absorbed. Double cleansing can be particularly helpful because it ensures that your skin is thoroughly cleaned of all impurities.
First cleanse: This is typically an oil-based cleanser that dissolves oil-based impurities (like makeup or sunscreen), making them easier to remove
🧴 Product Recommendations:
Second cleanse: Use a regular, gentle cleanser to remove any residual oils and water-based impurities (like sweat or dirt)
🧴 Product Recommendations:
Step 2: Toner
Use a toner to help prep your skin for other products. You can look for toners with added ingredients to target your specific skincare concerns. Below are two that are excellent for skin hydration.
🧴 Product Recommendations:
Step 3: Treatment
Tailor your treatment serums to suit your skincare needs. If you want to try using retinol, nighttime is when to do it.
🧴 Product Recommendations:
CeraVe Anti Aging Retinol Serum (helps gently promote skin turnover)
mixsoon Bean Essence (great for gentle exfoliation + nourishment)
Step 4: Night Moisturizer
Since your skin repairs and refreshes itself overnight, try a slightly richer moisturizer at night compared to your daytime moisturizer. This can help ensure your skin stays nourished and doesn’t lose too much moisture as you sleep.
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Step 5: Facial Oil (Optional)
When faced with rough environmental conditions - such as cold, dry weather - your skin may need some extra help in the moisture department. If this sounds like you, consider using a facial oil to further lock your skincare ingredients and moisture into your skin.
🧴 Product Recommendations:
Weekly Skincare
In addition to your daily skincare routine, there are a couple of extra steps that you can incorporate to really UP your skincare game. These are completely optional, but can have beneficial effects for your skin.
Exfoliation
Exfoliating - which can be either physical or chemical - helps remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. This in turn helps promote cell turnover, unclog pores, and improve your skin’s texture, leaving you with skin that is smoother, brighter, and better able to absorb skincare products.
Aim for exfoliation with either a physical or chemical exfoliant 1-2 times/week to start. You can then try increasing the frequency once you know that your skin can handle it.
🧴 Product Recommendations:
Face Masks
Face masks have been going viral all over TikTok… and for good reason! Face masks can provide concentrated doses of active ingredients to your skin and allow them to penetrate deeply. You also have the freedom to choose ones that target your specific skin needs, such as hydration, brightening, or calming.
Below are a few that I’ve tried and had great results with. These ones are specifically good for hydrating and plumping your skin.
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Pro Tips to Keep in Mind
Less is more
Try not to use too many active products at once as it could irritate your skin. A good rule of thumb is to focus on protection during the day and repair at night. And always monitor your skin for irritation or sensitivity and adjust your skincare routine as needed.
Stay hydrated and get sufficient sleep
Regularly clean your pillowcases
Try to change or wash your pillowcases weekly. At night, your skincare products may rub off on your pillowcases, as may oil from your face or your hair. This oil or product may rub back onto your skin as you sleep and potentially cause irritation. It’s important to make sure that your pillowcases are clean to avoid this risk.
Don't pick at blemishes!
I know this one’s a toughie - I’m guilty of picking at my face too :( However, all this does is further irritate your skin, slow down the healing process, and potentially transfer bacteria from your hands to your face, which could cause additional issues. Try to avoid picking at your skin as best as you can.
Consider getting professional facials if/when your budget allows
Consult a professional
If you're dealing with severe or persistent acne, unusual skin changes, or extreme skin sensitivity, don't hesitate to reach out to a professional. Many skin issues are easier to treat when caught early.
And lastly, remember that consistency is KEY!
A simple, consistent skincare routine beats using tons of products irregularly. It’s important to be patient and trust the process. Maintaining a consistent skincare routine may not show drastic results overnight, but you will def see a difference over time.
Good luck with your skincare!! 💜