Aging gracefully is the goal of hopeful, optimistic milennials everywhere, isn’t it? We know that wrinkle-free isn’t an option — unless you’re a Real Housewife — but we’d like to look healthy, and damn good, as the decades go by. Well, as professionals (and capitalism!) tell us, the key to a beautiful complexion is daily care and smart prevention.

We get it: You already knew that! But, don’t you get confused about how exactly you should be “preventing” things? (Is Botox preventative?) How can we weave anti-aging products into our routines without prompting an onslaught of clogged pores and acne? And, more importantly, at what point do we need to get Olivia-Pope levels of serious about fine lines, wrinkles, and and hyperpigmentation?

To answer these very important questions (and help phase you into real adulthood), we consulted one prominent dermatologist and two aestheticians. Here, they take us through the early, middle, and late chapters of our 20s, and then give us a sneak peek at our 30s. But, before you start clicking, we want you to note: At no point is it too late to start taking good care of your skin. 

1. Ren Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk

The Early 20s

Adulthood is just beginning for you, children of the future! Unfortunately, while life speeds up, your body does the opposite. “Skin-repair replacement mechanisms begin to slow by age 20,” says celebrity dermatologist Harold Lancer, MD. “In women, there are hormonal shifts — estrogen declines, and testosterone increases.” This might come as a surprise for someone who’s just beginning to enjoy the best skin of their lives: “Your skin, right now, looks like it’s in its prime,”

So, your early 20s are kind of like facial bootcamp: It’s the time to build up the proper discipline and habits that will help you age gracefully — without going totally overboard and causing your face to become a red, irritated mess.

Swap the Acne Wash
“Americans treat their skin like it’s the enemy,“ says Hirons. “It’s not! Get rid of any foaming acne cleansers, because they’re too stripping.” Unless you’re under specific instructions from your derm to use a medicated daily wash, choose a gentler alternative. “A cleansing milk will balance the complexion and remove the day’s grime.”

 And, of course, washing twice daily is absolutely necessary, as is adapting an oil cleanser for nighttime to remove makeup before you start your routine. “I always tell my clients that cleansing before bed is non-negotiable. Now is the time to be responsible,” says celebrity aesthetician Joanna Vargas. (And, don’t try to be sneaky after you’ve had a few too many cocktails at happy hour. “Cleansing wipes absolutely don’t count as washing your face!” Hirons says.) You should, however, keep all your clay masks and spot treatments handy, and use them as needed — especially at night.

 2.Eminence Organics Rosehip Tonique

Swap Your Toner

That’s right: It doesn’t always have to sting! “I always recommend my younger clients stay away from astringent toning products [in favor of] something more balancing,”  “Rose is incredibly hydrating and good for circulation — it works on any skin type.”

3. Embryolisse Secret de Maquilleurs Artist Secret Radiant Eye

Start Using an Eye Cream

“The skin around the eyes is very thin and gentle, which means signs of aging are likely to start there,” says Vargas. You should apply a basic, hydrating eye cream both day and night to keep fine lines at bay. Just pat it in with your ring finger, and make sure you leave time for it to sink into the skin.

                                             4.Consonant The Perfect Sunscreen

Get Diligent About SPF

The biggest no-brainer, though, is starting to use SPF, ASAP. “Daily sun protection will go a very long way in terms of preventing the signs of aging,” Hirons says. Dr. Lancer notes: “You should be using [SPF] 15 to 30, because much more than that is [just] marketing. Just make sure to apply it liberally — that’s the one mistake a lot of my patients make with sunscreens.” We love this all-natural wonder from Canada.

5.  Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum

Get to Know Glycolic Acid

Renowned for both its resurfacing and purifying properties, glycolic acid helps regenerate the skin and treat pesky acne and blackheads. “It will also help with pore size and improve overall skin texture,” Vargas says. The best part? It comes from all sorts of delightful, naturally-sourced ingredients, so you can feel good about using it. (Yup, raspberries can help you battle wrinkles!) Start by using this product only on the nights you exfoliate, and then build your way up to once a night. You’ll wake up with a glowing, polished visage.

6.Tammy Fender Antioxidant Creme

Get to Know Antioxidants

“There’s a huge lifestyle component to skin care,” says Dr. Lancer. “At this age, you’re wolfing down your lunch, going to parties, imbibing too much alcohol, and being surrounded by tobacco products. That’s why antioxidants are key.” You can only counteract the damage done by living la vida Lohan with the proper cocktail of ingredients, which helps ward off environmental stressors. This daily cream does the trick without being too heavy.

When you’re applying it, says Hirons, be sure to save some for the neck and décolletage. “Americans are the only people who think the face stops at the chin,” she says. Save yourself from a future of turtlenecks by spreading the love.

7.Sunday Riley Artemis Hydroactive Cellular Face Oil

Try a Facial Oil

Oils are the true gold standard of skin care, mostly because they contain potent ingredients and optimum moisturizing properties. “The right oil can also help mend acne scars and breakouts,” Hirons says. She recommends this blend by Sunday Riley, which contains a purifying lemon-myrtle oil. “Just be careful: A couple of drops across the forehead and cheeks should do it. Avoid the chin!”

8.Lancer Skincare The Method Polish Exfoliator

The Mid-20s

Okay, so you’ve built the foundation for good skin. Congratulations! Now, it’s time to start getting a little more serious. Twenty-five is, in the beauty world, a tipping point: “By age 25, the skin has decelerated its repair mechanisms, and that affects your entire body,” says Dr. Lancer. This is also when you can accurately evaluate what damage has been caused — and, with the help of a dermatologist, plan how to treat it. “Everybody should be seeing a board-certified dermatologist at least once a year by this point in their life,” says Vargas. Together, you and your derm can discuss concerns like hyperpigmentation or hormonal acne. At the quarter-century mark, you should allow for splurges now and then, which means one thing: “Monthly facials are essential for detoxing the pores and doing a mini-peel,” Vargas says. “You should also look for a service that provides oxygen for the skin, which promotes healing.” And, this is just the beginning.

“The ‘no pain, no gain’ rule also applies to skin,” insists Dr. Lancer, whose Polish exfoliant is beloved by Victoria Beckham. “By your mid-20s, your skin is more like a couch potato: It has potential, but it’s lazy. This will help get it up and running.” Try using this three times a week before bed in order to super-charge the rest of your routine. (There’s a formula for blemish-prone skin, too.)

As for the rest of your regimen? Make sure to maintain the nightly double-cleansing, the daily SPF, the eye cream, your oil, and your antioxidant moisturizer.

9.Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Treatment

Upgrade Your Serum

“Moisturizer is for skin type, but serum is for skin condition,” explains Hirons. That means it’s time to start treating whatever’s bothering your complexion with some seriously revved-up ingredients — a.m. and p.m. “Alpha-hydroxy acids will help to dry up hormonal breakouts and lightly exfoliate,” she says. “Antioxidants, like vitamin C, will help to protect and brighten spots and acne scars.” For the former, try the pictured product. For the latter, we love Eminence Organics Citrus Kale Potent C+E Serum. Not sweating anything in particular? Keep clicking.

10.Joanna Vargas Skincare Daily Serum

Not concerned about breakouts or pigment issues? That doesn’t mean you’re off the hook: Skipping serum is like skipping your daily vitamins! Instead, try the universally-friendly Joanna Vargas Daily Serum for a radiance-boosting cocktail of antioxidants and hyaluronic acid. It’ll perk up a tired complexion in a pinch.

11.Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 1970

Update Your Toner

You let go of the alcohol-based acne toners for a few years, but now you need to get serious. “Acid toning is essential, because it gives you a gentle, mild exfoliation,” Hirons says. This product, known among beauty junkies simply as “P50,” is what Hirons calls “the Rolls-Royce of toners.” She says to use it nightly, but we suggest easing into it: For the first few times, it tingles and stings, and might leave you a little pink. (It gets better — promise!) The reason? It has a high AHA content, which regulates oil production and maintains the skin’s pH level for a balanced, even complexion.

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Aaisha