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There’s a saying that youth is wasted on the young, and our complexion is often something we tend to take for granted when we’re in our 20s. (As we do with most things!) Unless there is a problem, like acne or pigmentation, we tend to just leave it be. Sun protection is an occasional consideration when we go on holidays to warmer places, and skincare is a case of what we can afford, if we care at all to use it.
There is a plump radiance to young skin that is very hard to replicate when you’re older and it makes a lot of sense to try to hold onto this for as long as you can. Essentially, good skin is the foundation of beauty. Its smoothness and radiance can make you look younger than you are and indeed if your skin is lined, dull and parched, it can add years to your appearance.
Why is this the case? Well, we equate youth with that fresh, springy skin that has an in-built natural glow, and indeed, skin is more elastic and plump when we are young. This is because young skin is full of what we call the building blocks of skin: collagen and elastin. As we age, our levels of these substances decrease, leaving skin dull and deflated – and this is where lines and wrinkles come in and when people start thinking about getting a helping hand to restore that youthful appearance with Botox or dermal fillers.
Environmental factors such as pollution have a huge, negative impact on skin but one of the worst culprits is UV damage. Yes, much of the uneven texture, pigmentation, lines and loss of firmness we think of when we think of old age is down to sun damage: More than 80% in fact. It’s also worth nothing that sun damage done in your early years (teens and early 20s) may not show up until years later – but show up it undoubtedly will. This is why taking care of your skin from a young age is essential to give skin the best chance of remaining healthy-looking for as long as possible. The younger you start, the better.
In your 20s, for example, taking care of skin is quite easy. It’s the perfect time to get into the habit of using SPF daily and using skincare regularly, and correctly. Thorough cleansing every day, to remove pollution and daily grime, will help to keep it in good condition. Regular exfoliation will gently slough off dulling skin cells and help your skincare products such as moisturisers and serums better penetrate the skin. If you adopt a regime of quality skincare products in your 20s, your face should stay in the same condition for at least another five years beyond that.
If you can afford to, I would recommend investing in cosmeceutical skincare, rather than high street brands. They are much more potent and effective and can have real and significant effects on the skin. Cosmeceuticals (the term comes from a merging of the words ‘cosmetics’ and ‘pharmaceuticals’) are product ranges that have been approved after rigorous testing. In short, they are as strong as they can be without being categorised as drugs – which requires years of trials and testing before approval is obtained. They are often prescription only or available in certain clinics, such as my own. There are some really fantastic brands out there that can address concerns and put you on a path of healthy skin for life.
Of course, a healthy lifestyle will also go a long way to keeping skin happy in your 20s and beyond: a good varied diet, rich in fruit, veg and good fats will keep skin plump and hydrated, while exercise will help improve overall health and keep that glow going. Finally, if you smoke, do your best to quit as smoking is, quite simply, one of the most damaging things you can do for your body and face. In short, putting in the effort in your 20s will pay dividends later on.
Learn more about how a good skincare regime can keep you looking young and healthy by arranging a consultation at my clinic, and download my Ten Year Beauty Plan: The Process For A Younger-Looking Face:
There’s a saying that youth is wasted on the young, and our complexion is often something we tend to take for granted when we’re in our 20s. (As we do with most things!) Unless there is a problem, like acne or pigmentation, we tend to just leave it be. Sun protection is an occasional consideration when we go on holidays to warmer places, and skincare is a case of what we can afford, if we care at all to use it.
There is a plump radiance to young skin that is very hard to replicate when you’re older and it makes a lot of sense to try to hold onto this for as long as you can. Essentially, good skin is the foundation of beauty. Its smoothness and radiance can make you look younger than you are and indeed if your skin is lined, dull and parched, it can add years to your appearance.
Why is this the case? Well, we equate youth with that fresh, springy skin that has an in-built natural glow, and indeed, skin is more elastic and plump when we are young. This is because young skin is full of what we call the building blocks of skin: collagen and elastin. As we age, our levels of these substances decrease, leaving skin dull and deflated – and this is where lines and wrinkles come in and when people start thinking about getting a helping hand to restore that youthful appearance with Botox or dermal fillers.
Environmental factors such as pollution have a huge, negative impact on skin but one of the worst culprits is UV damage. Yes, much of the uneven texture, pigmentation, lines and loss of firmness we think of when we think of old age is down to sun damage: More than 80% in fact. It’s also worth nothing that sun damage done in your early years (teens and early 20s) may not show up until years later – but show up it undoubtedly will. This is why taking care of your skin from a young age is essential to give skin the best chance of remaining healthy-looking for as long as possible. The younger you start, the better.
In your 20s, for example, taking care of skin is quite easy. It’s the perfect time to get into the habit of using SPF daily and using skincare regularly, and correctly. Thorough cleansing every day, to remove pollution and daily grime, will help to keep it in good condition. Regular exfoliation will gently slough off dulling skin cells and help your skincare products such as moisturisers and serums better penetrate the skin. If you adopt a regime of quality skincare products in your 20s, your face should stay in the same condition for at least another five years beyond that.
If you can afford to, I would recommend investing in cosmeceutical skincare, rather than high street brands. They are much more potent and effective and can have real and significant effects on the skin. Cosmeceuticals (the term comes from a merging of the words ‘cosmetics’ and ‘pharmaceuticals’) are product ranges that have been approved after rigorous testing. In short, they are as strong as they can be without being categorised as drugs – which requires years of trials and testing before approval is obtained. They are often prescription only or available in certain clinics, such as my own. There are some really fantastic brands out there that can address concerns and put you on a path of healthy skin for life.
Of course, a healthy lifestyle will also go a long way to keeping skin happy in your 20s and beyond: a good varied diet, rich in fruit, veg and good fats will keep skin plump and hydrated, while exercise will help improve overall health and keep that glow going. Finally, if you smoke, do your best to quit as smoking is, quite simply, one of the most damaging things you can do for your body and face. In short, putting in the effort in your 20s will pay dividends later on.
Learn more about how a good skincare regime can keep you looking young and healthy by arranging a consultation at my clinic, and download my Ten Year Beauty Plan: The Process For A Younger-Looking Face:
