Welcome to Your 20s: A Detailed Skincare Routine
“Skincare” can mean a lot of different things. For the lucky, it might have always simply been a splash of water and bar of soap. For others, like me, it's been a lifetime of battling acne, dryness, and irritation with every product on the market.
Ever since I was 13, acne has been my #1 skincare enemy. But, as I moved out my teenage years and into the depths of my 20s, I’ve learned that taking care of my skin means so much more than combating acne. It also includes preventive measures to avoid wrinkles and damage while promoting glowing, smooth skin.
So, welcome to your 20s, where you’re bound to be overwhelmed with the amount of products that various TikToks, Google searches, or Instagram influencers recommend. Hyaluronic acid, retinol, and collagen, oh my! No worries, I am here to share the routine and products that do it all, based on dermatologist recommendations and research done across the internet.
Morning: You’ve got a big day ahead of you and you need to get out the door (or to your WFH desk) ASAP. What are your quick, essential skin care goals? Cleanse. Hydrate. Protect. Specifically, Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, The Ordinary Hyaluronic acid and Caffeine Serum, Cerave Moisturizer, and Supergoop! Glow Screen.
In 2018, my dermatologist recommended Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser to me for daily use, and I never looked back. It is exactly what the label says: gentle. It cleans dirt and makeup off my skin without leaving skin feeling dry, irritated, or over-moisturized. Then, while my face is still damp, I pat a few drops of the Hyaluronic acid in with my palms and carefully rub a drop of the caffeine serum in under my eyes. I immediately follow up with the Cerave moisturizer, which I am certain to massage into my neck as well. Finally, finish it off with the SuperGoop to protect from the sun. You could also use La Roche Posay Sunscreen, in any of its variations, which my dermatologist recommended to me, but I find it to be a bit thick compared to Supergoop! sunscreen.
You can now apply your makeup and go about your day with skincare confidence!
Night: The day is done and it is time to get to bed! Your goals here? Cleanse. Restore. Moisturize. First, you have got to get all of that makeup and grime from the day off of your face. Bioderm Sensibio H20 makeup remover and a cotton ball is one of the most recommended combinations for this task. But, if you are a bit lazier like me, a makeup wipe will do just fine. I, of course, recommend Cetaphil Gentle Makeup Removing Wipes. I then follow up with the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, just like in the morning. In case these two steps missed any dirt, I use a cotton ball and a few drops of The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution to wipe off any remaining dirtiness from the day.
I then move into the “restore” phase, which, for me, includes Vitamin C serum to brighten and boost collagen in my skin, and tretinoin, to combat acne, fine wrinkles, dark spots, or roughness. The Tretinoin cream that I use is a prescription product and is high in Vitamin A. Over-the-counter replacements for this are Differin gel and retinol. Retinol is also a more suitable option for dry and sensitive skin types, as it is less harsh than Tretinoin. A great, fun place to learn more about Tretinoin and using it safely is Rudi Berry’s TikTok page (@rudiberry).
I like to keep my routine simple, and Tretinoin does so much of the work that other, expensive serums claim to do. So, after this, I simply moisturize with Cerave PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion. If my skin feels especially dry, like it often does in these winter months, I will instead use Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream, which feels heavy and thick but absolutely gets the job done, and Vaseline on broken skin on my lips or creases of my nose.
A fun bonus is the three masks that I swear by. To avoid irritation and dryness I only use a mask twice a week, max. But, these are the favorites that I choose from: Origins Out of Trouble 10-Minute Mask, Origins Pink, and The Ordinary Peeling Solution.
Overall, your skincare does not need to be expensive or complicated just because influencers on the internet make it seem that way.
At the end of the day, tons of popular products simply contain ineffective ingredients, to boost scent and soothing aesthetics of the product, which only make it seem like it is working. Focus on the basics: cleanse, hydrate, protect, restore. Notice what irritates your skin and what soothes it. Drink water, and stick to the routine that works for you!
You’ll also love…
This post contains affiliate links. See our disclosure about affiliate links here.