The basic skincare routine for your 20s

It’s a common misperception that anti-aging products are only necessary when you turn 30. But as alarming as that sounds, this is an unfortunate fact: around 25, your body’s natural collagen and elastin production decrease significantly. That means your skin will start to age in your mid-20s. So it is best to begin your skincare journey sooner than later and find out what works best on your skin along the way.

With the sea of skin care products in the market, I sometimes feel like I’m drowning and don’t know where to start. Luckily, thanks to the advice from all the skincare and makeup experts I worked with on set, this is the highly recommended basic skincare routine for your 20s.

Step 1: Cleansing

Cleansing is the most important step in the skincare routine for your 20s. Especially, for those who wear make-up every day like me, make-up remover and cleanser are really skin savers. Besides, being a city dweller also means my skin has to battle with all the dirt and pollutions of the big city life. So I usually cleanse my face once I get home to immediately remove all make-up and impurities.

My daily cleansing routine includes removing makeup using makeup remover oil, then using a cleanser product and gently massaging all over my face to get rid of any impurities left. While cleansing, you can also try my face lifting massage exercise.

Step 2: Toning

Right after cleansing, I will use a toning product to give my skin more moisture. Depending on my skin condition, I will use either a chemical exfoliator or a serum (my recent favorite is Sulwasoo First Care Activating Serum Advanced) to nurture my skin.

Then, I love using a moisturizing or calming mask to soothe my skin, especially on the days I have outdoor photoshoots. My top choices are masks with aloe vera, green tea, or rice water extract.

With my morning routine, I like to keep it simple with toner and a light serum only to leave my skin a natural, radiant look for the whole day.

Step 3: Moisturize

I used to think that moisturizer would clog pores and cause pimples, but the fact is completely opposite. When your skin is not hydrated properly, the more natural oil it will produce. This excess oil is the main reason for pimples and clogged pores. Keeping your skin moisturized will keep it looking youthful and radiant.

Luckily, your skin in its 20s is a hardworking collagen factory so it does a decent work of hydrating itself. A simple moisturizer with a light texture and SPF is good enough for a day moisturizer. For a night moisturize, you can choose a product with a thicker texture so your skin can stay hydrated for the whole night.

Step 4: Eye cream

We usually don’t think of caring for the skin area around our eyes at a younger age. But actually, a lot of what we do in our 20s are harmful to the eyes, such as glueing to our phone screen all day or staying up late. So if the skin area around your eyes are not taken care of properly, there soon will be wrinkles and dark circles even before the age of 30.

To avoid the early signs of aging on the eyes, the top advice from dermatologists is to use an eye cream containing collagen or active ingredients to moisture the skin here. Use it everyday. Remember, consistency is the key to youthful skin!

Step 5: Sunscreen

Sunscreen is the most essential product that all dermatologists agree on. I never forget to wear sunscreen with at least 30 SPF whenever I go out and I also try to make it a habit.  

The UV radiations from sunlight are the number 1 enemy of our skin, causing early signs of aging, wrinkles, and melasma. These symptoms are very hard and expensive to completely cure, so it is best to prevent them from your 20s by using sunscreen. 

A little reminder that you should adapt these suggestions to the conditions and needs of your own skin. A 5-step routine can be too much and a 10-step one can also be too little. Listen to your skin and understand its needs then tailor the routine that suits your skin the most.