The Skincare Products You Need in Your 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s

Been using the same skincare products for the last decade or more? Your skin probably needs a change! Like any relationship, it’s all about timing.

Here are some ideal product routines for your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond.

20s:

Prevention is key. The things you do now will pay off dividends later. Lay the foundation and create habits for a solid skincare routine, and simply adjust or add things in as necessary down the road. Basic cleansing, moisturizing, and daily SPF should be your focus. I like IMAGE Skincare’s Ormedic Balancing Facial Cleanser and their Prevention+ SPF. Adding in exfoliation, an eye cream for extra nutrition, or a serum to target specific concerns (acne) gives you bonus points!

30s:

Now that you’ve laid your foundation with skincare in your 20s, we’ll just make necessary adjustments as needed. Your skin cell turnover is starting to slow down, so I suggest adding in regular exfoliating, even retinol in small doses can be beneficial. Other than that, anti-aging is still about prevention and nutrition. Peptides and stem cells are a good way to accomplish this. Eminence Organics Mangosteen Cleanser is a great way to gently exfoliate on a daily basis and IMAGE Skincare’s The Max Cream is great as a night cream. If you haven’t added an eye cream yet, now’s the time!

40s:

Pump up the retinol and add in Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) into your routine to keep those cells rejuvenating and building collagen. I like IMAGE’s Ageless Total Repair Cream to use for your nightly dose of retinol. If you’re feeling dry, adding in a hyaluronic acid can help your skin hold on to more water! Keeping in mind that it matters how we take care of our skin from the inside out—make sure your daily water intake is adequate, and you may also think about consuming a daily collagen supplement as part of your nutrition routine. I like IMAGE’s Yana Daily Collagen Shots, and Hush & Hush’s Time Capsule Daily Multivitamin.

50s and Beyond:

You’re probably wanting to boost up your hydration and oil production. Switching to a creamy cleanser helps achieve this by not stripping your skin of its natural oils. In addition to your hyaluronic acid, you may benefit from adding facial oil such as Eminence Firming Rosehip C & E Oil. Dry, dehydrated skin appears dull and accentuates those fine lines. On the contrary, plump, quenched skin camouflages them, so we want to make sure your skincare and makeup work together to keep your complexion dewy and glowing! Ditch the matte, powdery makeup and reach for a creamy, moisturized look.

Ultimately, aging gracefully means taking the absolute best care of what you have, and ensuring that you’re happy and confident with it. And remember, skincare is unique to each individual so it is always best to consult with your esthetician to choose what products are right for you!

Stephanie Murphy is an Advanced Esthetician at Cole’s Salon Eagan Station. You can follow her on Instagram at @stephmurphyesthetics.