7 Anti-Ageing Skincare Habits You Should Start Early While In Your 20's To Age Gracefully

Ageing probably not a pressing concern if you're in your 20s, but as they say, prevention is better than cure. The bouncy, smooth and fast-regenerating skin you're enjoying now isn't going to stay that way forever. The earlier you start preventative skincare, the less damage will be done to the skin and the less likely you'll need to take drastic measures to reverse it.

Practice these 7 anti-ageing skincare habits right now and you'll thank yourself in your later years for keeping your skin at its best condition.

Keep reading to check them out! 

#1 Apply Sunscreen The Right Way 

Photo from Vichy

You've probably heard this a million times - applying sunscreen daily is a must! What you may not know is that sunscreen should be applied even when you're indoors as UV rays can pass through windows. Even if your foundation has SPF, it's probably not enough as SPF needs to be applied generously to work and no one likes a thick layer of cakey makeup.

Find a sun block that has broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection with minimum SPF 30 and make sure to lay it on thick - about an amount the size of a 50 cent coin for the face. It should be reapplied throughout the day if you're perspiring profusely, swimming or under direct sunlight for a prolonged period of time.

The time of application matters too. If your sunscreen has ingredients like avobenzone, octinoxate or oxybenzone, it's a chemical sunscreen which should be applied 30 mintues before your skin is exposed to sunlight. Physical sunscreens with ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide has an immediate UV-protective effect so you can apply it right before sun exposure.

Try the Vichy UV Protect Skin Defense Daily Care Anti-Shine Cream ($36) which provides SPF 50 and is suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin. It provides 8-hour hydration and a matte finish.

#2 Pick The Right Cleanser & Moisturiser

Photo from Bioderma

These two steps plus sunscreen are the basics of a skincare routine that you should have down pat when you're in your early 20s. The trendy 10 step Korean skincare routine may not be necessary as your skin is at its peak and might even cause irritation. Keep your skincare routine as simple as possible with these three steps first, then add on additional products if needed.

Make sure to cleanse your skin thoroughly every day. This applies even if you're nua-ing at home with no makeup on as bacteria, pollution particles, dead skin cells and natural skin oils accumulate on the skin. Just like how makeup and other residue on the skin can cause premature ageing, so can harsh cleansers - the kind that leaves your skin feeling squeaky clean and dry. Go for a gentle yet effective cleanser like the cult-favourite Bioderma Sensibio H2O micellar water.

After cleansing, apply a moisturiser that suits your skin type. Even if you have oily skin, a light moisturiser is still beneficial to balance oil production and protect your skin barrier.

#3 Use Skincare With Antioxidants 

Photo from SkinCeuticals

Once you're in your late 20s, you may already start noticing that your skin isn't as supple and resilient as it once was. Start using skincare that contain antioxidants which help fight free radicals from all environmental aggressors including sun damage and pollution. They also brighten skin tone, help with skin rejuvenation and stimulate collagen production.

Some of the best antioxidants to look out for are vitamin A, C and E, niacinamide and coenzymeQ10.

Try the SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3 ($129.90) which contains a high concentration of 5% niacinamide with a firming tripeptide concentrate and 15% pure glycerin to address early signs of photoageing. It increases cell turnover to resurface skin, evens skin tone, hydrates skin and improves the appearance of wrinkles and surface elasticity.

#4 Use Eye Cream

Photo from KIEHL'S

Don't forget your eye area! The skin here is delicate and more prone to signs of ageing like fine lines, dark circles and sallowness. If your facial moisturisers and serums are too heavy for the eye area, an eye cream might be a good addition to your skincare routine.

Try the KIEHL'S Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing & Dark Circle-Diminishing Vitamin C Eye Serum ($75) which has a lightweight, layerable formula. It contains 10% pure vitamin C, tri-peptide and hyaluronic acid, minimise puffiness and reduce the appearance of under eye dark circles, including blue and brown dark circles.

#5 Use Gentle Chemical Exfoliators

Photo from Dermalogica

The skin naturally renews itself, but if you notice that your skin isn't doing its job well anymore, it might be time to start exfoliating your skin. The signs include dullness, dryness and acne even when using skincare.

Exfoliation can help gently remove dead skin cells, allowing the skin to produce newer, healthier cells and prevent clogged pores. Stay away from physical exfoliants with large beads as they cause micro tears in the skin. Go for gentle chemical exfoliants like AHAs (glycolic and lactic acids) and BHAs (salicylic acid) instead. Take care to follow the instructions of the product and avoid over exfoliating your skin.

Try the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant ($103), an ultra gentle exfoliant that can be used daily. It's formulated with phytic acid to balance uneven skin tone and a blend of colloidal oatmeal and allantoin for a calming effect.

#6 Stop Popping Your Pimples

Photo from COSRX

It's tempting, yes, but once you're in your late twenties, your skin isn't as able to rejuvenate and heal as quickly. As a result, popping pimples may cause scarring that could be long lasting. Use a spot treatment instead and start from lower strength formulas before moving up to make sure your skin doesn't dry out.

If you really can't resist popping your zits, try a pimple patch like the COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch ($17.70 for 3 packs) which will act as a physical barrier to literally stop your fingers from causing damage.

#7 Take Care Of The Rest Of Your Body Too

Photo from Elizabeth Arden

The face isn't the only part of you that needs anti-ageing TLC, the neck, décolletage, scalp and hands are some of the other places that will show the first signs of ageing. Skin at the neck and décolletage will start to sag as collagen and elastin is lost, hands start to get dull and wrinkled with pigmentation spots, and scalp ageing leads to thinning, brittle and greying hair.

Try the Elizabeth Arden PREVAGE Anti-Aging Neck and Décolleté Firm & Repair Cream ($169) which is formulated with advanced Idebenone technology plus a protein restoring complex. It helps improve and protect the appearance of dry, delicate, vulnerable skin in the neck and décolleté, instantly tightening, toning and intensely moisturising the skin.

Make sure the cleansing, moisturising and sun protection skincare step are extended to these areas and the rest of your body too. To make sure you don't miss any spots when applying sunscreen, apply it before you get dressed and reapply to the exposed skin after.

P.S. There are edible and drinkable sunscreens that work to protect all the skin from UV damage, including the scalp and nails.

Besides these skincare habits, your lifestyle also has a huge impact on what you'll look like in your golden years. Things like sufficient quality sleep, healthy eating, regular exercise and refraining from alcohol and smoking will all help you feel and look better as you age.

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Text by: GirlStyle SG