A decade-by-decade guide to your skincare needs

A decade-by-decade guide to your skincare needs

A journey through the ages, exploring the unique characteristics and specific skincare needs at each stage

Your skin is amazing, resilient and dynamic, transforming with each passing decade in response to both internal and external influences. Understanding these changes equips you with the knowledge to tailor your skincare routine for optimal health and radiance throughout your life.

Let’s take a journey through the ages, exploring the unique characteristics and specific skincare needs at each stage:

Your late teens to early 20s: Building a strong foundation

In your late teens and early twenties, your skin is at its zenith in terms of collagen production (the main structural protein found in your body’s connective tissues), strength and elasticity. It’s firm and wrinkle free.

However, this period can also be marked by acne and hormonal fluctuations. If you’re in your late teens to early 20s, now is the time to establish a robust skincare routine that focuses on:

  • Cleansing: Combat excess oil and blemishes with a gentle cleanser. If you’re prone to acne and want to step your skincare up a gear with a professional skincare system, you might want to try the ZO® Acne Prevention and Treatment programme.

  • Moisturising: Even if your skin tends to be oily, moisturising is essential to maintain a healthy balance. Look for an oil-free option that will not block your pores.

  • Sun protection: Sun damage is cumulative, so prioritising sun protection is one of the most effective things you can do to protect your lifelong skin health. Start wearing a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher to prevent premature ageing and reduce the risk of skin cancer.

During this stage of life, you’ll need to consider the impact of your menstrual cycle on your skin. You may need to adjust your skincare routine during hormonal fluctuations (for example, you may notice your skin is oilier or more prone to acne during days 14-28 of your cycle).

Your late 20s to early 30s: Preserving collagen and keeping your skin hydrated

It hardly seems fair, but after the age of 20, your skin produces one percent less collagen each year. Elastin production starts to dip too, and your body produces fewer glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which are essential for skin hydration.

While this is a natural part of the skin ageing process, this is often a time when lifestyle can affect your skin too. External stressors such as drinking alcohol, smoking, sun damage, pollution, poor diet, lack of exercise, and not sleeping enough can all impact your skin’s health.

By the time to reach your 30s, you may notice the first signs that your collagen production is lower – this is typically in the form of fine lines and pigmentation caused by sun damage.

You will need to adapt your skincare routine by incorporating:

  • Antioxidants: Combat free radicals with antioxidants like vitamin C. This helps protect against environmental damage and promotes collagen synthesis. A vitamin drip like our Skin Brightening drip is an ideal way to give your skin an extra dose of vitamin C.

  • Eye creams: Invest in a good eye cream to address early signs of crow's feet and under-eye puffiness.

  • Retinoids: Consider introducing retinoids to encourage cell turnover and diminish fine lines (the ZO® Phase II: Anti-Ageing Programme is ideal for this!)

Pregnancy often happens during this decade of life (the average age of mothers at the time of childbirth in the UK had risen to 30.9 in 2021) and may bring about significant hormonal changes that affect the skin.

If you are pregnant, always opt for pregnancy-safe skincare products and discuss any aesthetic treatments with an experienced professional as they may not be suitable.

Your mid-30s to early 40s: It’s time to intensify your skincare!

In your mid-30s and early 40s, your skin’s levels of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid continue to decline, leading to more pronounced wrinkles and sagging.

This is the time to prioritise:

  • Hydration: Choose richer moisturisers to combat dryness and maintain skin suppleness.

  • Peptides: Look for products containing peptides, which can stimulate collagen production and improve skin elasticity (again, many of the ZO® skincare products are ideal for this).

  • Exfoliation: Regular exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, promoting a smoother complexion. Dermaplaning is a fantastic treatment to get rid of that dull surface layer of skin to reveal the healthy cells underneath.

Perimenopause may begin during this stage, which again affects hormone levels and can cause major changes to your skin. You will need to adjust your skincare routine to reflect your individual needs during this time of change.

Your late 40s to early 50s: Addressing those hormonal changes

The significant hormonal shifts of menopause or andropause (the correct term for what is often referred to as “the male menopause”) can make your skin thinner and much drier. Issues such as hyperpigmentation and broken veins can also be a problem.

Adapt your routine with:

  • Hyaluronic Acid: Boost your skin’s hydration with products containing hyaluronic acid, which attracts and retains moisture. Profhilo is a non-surgical facelift treatment that offers exceptional hydration and boosts collagen and elastin production.

  • Serums: Include serums with ingredients like niacinamide to address hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. Again, ZO® anti-ageing skincare products are ideal.

  • Sunscreen reinforcement: Continue prioritising sun protection to prevent further damage and support your overall skin health.

Your late 50s to early 60s: Nourishing mature skin

In your late 50s and early 60s, your skin may become thinner, drier, and more delicate, even if you came through menopause or andropause relatively unscathed!

Tailor your routine with:

Post-menopausal skin may benefit from hormonal replacement therapies (HRT). You would need to speak to your GP for guidance.

Your late 60s and beyond: Embracing gentle care

In your late 60s and beyond, skin becomes increasingly fragile due to the ongoing loss of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. The focus should be on strengthening your skin and maintaining its health, as well as prioritising comfort and minimising irritation.

This is the time to embrace:

  • Barrier repair: Use products with ceramides and fatty acids to strengthen the skin barrier.

  • Minimalist approach: Streamline your routine to essential, gentle products to minimise the risk of irritation.

  • Regular check-ins: You might want to schedule regular dermatologist visits to protect your skin health and ensure that you can quickly respond to any concerns.

Your skincare will evolve over the decades

As you age, your skincare needs to evolve. What worked for you at 20, won’t necessarily work for you at 30, and so on.

Adapting your routines accordingly can improve the health and appearance of your skin. Embrace the changes, prioritise self-care, and remember that beautiful skin at any age is a reflection of a well-crafted skincare routine and a life well-lived.

Gurpreet Gill