How to Have Great Skin at Every Age

Like all things in life, skin is constantly changing. Whether you’re 16 or 60, the best way to care for it is to protect and support its natural functions at each unique step of the journey. But it can be a little tricky to understand when — and how — to incorporate these products to maximize your skin’s health in the long run.

That’s where we come in. There’s a ton of info out there, which can make the process overwhelming. To that end, below is an easy-to-follow, expert-backed blueprint for what to add to your skincare routine and when — but feel free to skip ahead for extra credit.

Table of Contents

Skincare Routine in Your 20s

Mantra of the decade: Start with sunscreen

This is your ideal time to establish the foundation of your skincare routine and prepare for the years ahead with sunscreen, sunscreen, and more sunscreen. (Did we mention sunscreen?)

Regardless of your skin type, tone, or concern, you should stick with the core three steps: “Cleanse, moisturize, and apply sunscreen,” says NakedPoppy skin specialist Tara Parenti. (You can nix the SPF at night, of course.) In most cases, this foundation will serve your skin just fine; if you have a particular concern, such as adult acne, you can add other, more targeted products that can address those, too.

Psst: If you’re looking for a comprehensive skincare routine, head over to the 3-min NakedPoppy assessment, which will automatically match you with the ideal skincare products for your skin type and individual concerns.

Next, let’s talk about why we won’t shut up about sunscreen, especially in this decade. First, there’s the obvious risk of skin cancer, which should never go ignored. On top of that, “UV radiation accounts for around 80% of extrinsic skin aging — or, in other words, that caused by environmental factors such as UV radiation,” explains NakedPoppy research scientist Marisa Plescia. “Things like fine lines and hyperpigmentation can be caused by external damage to cells and DNA.” Intrinsic aging, on the other hand, is a matter of genetics (and you can’t really do much about it).

Since UV radiation is a major source of damage, defending your skin via SPF is a fundamental step in keeping your skin healthy. We just think it’s good — game-changing, even — to get a headstart on it ASAP by getting in the habit of daily application.

Skincare Routine in Your 30s

Mantra of the decade: Amp up your protection

The longer you’re alive — congrats! — the longer your skin has been exposed to the elements, from UV light to pollution and blue light. Blue light has become particularly buzzy these days. “Blue light is emitted not only from the sun — a.k.a. why the sky is blue — but from electronics, such as computers,” says Plescia.

While it may make your eyes ache, it can impact your skin, too. “Recent research shows that the wavelengths of blue light in the 400 to 450 nanometer range can be damaging to skin,” Plescia says. “Blue light can penetrate farther into skin than even UV radiation due to its longer wavelength, causing deeper damage that eventually shows up in various ways like fine lines or uneven texture.”

Then, there’s heat, or infrared radiation. “When exposed to infrared radiation, your skin’s temperature can rise,” says Plescia. “With this temperature increase, inflammatory cells are triggered and DNA damage can result.” Last but not least, studies show air pollution can also take a toll on your skin. [1]

Okay, okay, we’ll admit: That sounds overwhelming. Fortunately, there’s a single solution to all of the above, and you might already be familiar with them: antioxidants. These potent compounds both repair and prevent the DNA damage incurred by all of the above, helping skin return to a healthy baseline. And they’re especially strategic when paired with sunscreen, where they run interference on any aggressors that may have slipped by that first line of defense.

So, to take your protection to the next level, “use a vitamin C in the morning,” says Parenti, who recommends Maya Chia The Super Lift Vitamin C-More Treatment. Vitamin C is one of the most well-researched, thoroughly proven antioxidants in the game. And in the A.M., you’ll get the most bang for your beauty buck, although you can apply it twice a day if you prefer.

Skincare Routine in Your 40s

Mantra of the decade: Rev the repair cycle

If fine lines are now kicking in, that’s totally normal; consider it a celebration of another birthday. To keep skin firm and smooth, simply incorporate ingredients that encourage cell turnover and collagen synthesis — namely, retinol. “Retinol can be a great ingredient to add to your routine to help with skin cell turnover and the production of collagen,” says Plescia.

It’s beloved for both its efficacy and versatility. “Retinol can address most common skincare concerns,” says Plescia. “It’s been formally used in skincare formulations since the early 2000s and is known to influence many cellular processes, such as cellular growth and differentiation and a healthy immune response.” [2] You can find a clean version in Maya Chia The Straight A Serum, which uses an encapsulated retinol to deliver results without irritation.

Retinol is especially potent if you’re still using that vitamin C serum, too, as the latter can help regulate collagen production. In fact, “studies have shown that using retinol and vitamin C together is able to help manage skin changes,” says Plescia. [3]

Alpha hydroxy acids may also be a good bet for regular exfoliation. (You might recognize them as glycolic and lactic acids.) “AHAs have been shown to help diminish the appearance of fine lines and improve skin’s firmness, texture, and tone, especially any sort of hyperpigmentation,” says Plescia. “They can also be hydrating and often result in glowing, radiant skin.”

If you’re able to use both retinol and alpha hydroxy acid without redness or irritation, go for it. However, “I would be mindful of too many active resurfacing ingredients in one single application routine,” warns Parenti, who notes that retinol is a powerful resurfacing ingredient. “Having exfoliation in multiple steps of your routine can over-sensitize the skin and compromise skin barrier function.” Rather, you might want to use a mild exfoliant with a low concentration of AHA in the morning — think Tata Harper Resurfacing Serum, for instance — and your retinol in the evening. Or, limit your AHA to a few times a week.

Skincare Routine in Your 50s

Mantra of the decade: Be wise and moisturize

Not exactly a shock if you’ve ever had acne as a teen, but we’ll put it out there again: Your hormones play a huge role in the state of your skin. That continues well into your 50s, when menopause sets in for many. “Hormone levels help to produce oil, keep skin hydrated, and stimulate collagen,” says Parenti. “As estrogen decreases during menopause, skin can become drier and even thin a bit.”

Fortunately, the answer is relatively easy: Use emollients. “Emollients are essential ingredients for strengthening the skin barrier and providing moisture,” says Plescia. “The outermost layer of the skin barrier consists of a lipid matrix. This lipid matrix works to prevent excessive skin water loss and helps protect the body from environmental compounds.” These emollients are part of that lipid matrix, where they help soften and smooth skin by filling in the gaps and replenishing moisture as needed.
Not only that, but they offer protective perks, too. “Emollients also act as occlusive agents, meaning that they coat the skin and act as a seal, further preventing water loss,” says Plescia. Face oils, fortunately enough, are brimming with emollients; you’ll find a wide variety in NakedPoppy Revitalize Organic Facial Oil. If you find your skin is particularly dry, you can apply it after your usual moisturizer, too.

Skincare Routine in Your 60s and Beyond

Mantra of the decade: Baby your skin 

As you move into your 60s, it’s time to add a little more TLC. “Reduced sebum and sweat production is one of those things that happens,” says Plescia. “Due to this reduction in sebum and sweat, your skin may become drier and more vulnerable to irritants.” At the same time, Parenti says, “Environmental sensitization and reactivity can increase because the barrier isn’t as intact as it once was. This can also explain why skin that wasn’t previously sensitive might now experience some redness or irritation.”

But wait! We have good news, which is that the solution is delightfully basic: “Investing in a fantastic moisturizer is important to replenish lipids and water loss,” says Parenti. In supporting your skin barrier health, you’re providing skin with fortification against that sensitivity.

Parenti also recommends regular exfoliation, as cell turnover (which typically occurs every 28 days) may be slowing down right now. “Overnight treatments, such as the KYPRIS Moonlight Catalyst Face Serum, will help to smooth and revitalize skin texture,” she says.

Finally, continue the good habits that you already had in your routine, such as daily sunscreen and pairing retinol with vitamin C, which can continue to pay dividends. “One study found that the use of vitamin C with retinol resulted with an increase in the thickness of a viable epidermis,” says Plescia. [4]

We believe that the end-goal of a good skincare routine should be to keep your skin at the healthiest version of itself — and with these guidelines, it’s easy. What’s better than that?

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