
| by Lexi Johnson | Skin is our largest organ in which some adults carry up to 8 pounds, equaling 22 square feet. Each decade of life demands a slight differentiation in your skin regimen, but three steps will always remain true: cleanse, protect and moisturize.
In your 20s, skin is put through a lot, from hours in the sun to hours under makeup, leading to unwanted results.
"People in their 20s are still fighting acne, so the majority of complaints I get from people this age are about their complexion," said Dr. Rajan. To properly care for adult acne, Rajan recommends using Éminence skin-care products. These products are organic and a favorite of several celebrities.
"Your 20s is the most important decade to take skin care seriously, especially when it comes to reducing sun damage," said Dr. Cothern. The sun is a huge factor that can account for wrinkles, discoloration and skin cancer. Wearing a moisturizer that contains sunscreen is the best step to take during your 20s so you can protect yourself and decrease further sun damage. Both Rajan and Cothern said that a drugstore moisturizer with at least 30 SPF is a must.
From your 20s to your 30s, changes in your skin will begin to show, which means you will need to upgrade a few of your products to prescription grade.
"Majority of people are in the phase of starting a family so they are either on birth control pills or have had a pregnancy; they come to us with uneven pigmentation complaints for the most part," said Rajan.
She said this is the time she starts patients on an alpha hydroxy or glycolic acid cleanser followed by a topical antioxidant in the mornings. Instead of buying several different mix-and-match products, Cothern recommended the Obagi Nu-Derm FX System. This system comes with seven products that will provide exactly what your skin needs to see a positive transformation. "It's the best system for women that are looking to upgrade from drugstore products to something a little more serious," said Cothern
Once you are in your 40s, you are officially in the decade where more invasive treatments, such as Botox and fillers, become more regular.
"As far as products, during this era most people need a retinol, a bleaching agent at night, and in the mornings a cleanser with glycolic acid and antioxidants," said Rajan. The best topical antioxidant on the market is TNS Essential Serum made by SkinMedi out of California. "It has everything you want in one product," said Rajan.
Exfoliation is very important during this phase of life. Most people only do it a few times a week, but Rajan let us in on a secret and said she exfoliates daily. She recommends Vivité Exfoliating Facial Cleanser. "It is important to remember not to scrub hard while exfoliating; wash gently, and let the cleanser do its job," said Rajan. Another must-have product is the Retinol Complex by SkinMedica, which works to enhance skin texture while minimizing irritation. All of these products are the latest and greatest of the skin care world, but as both doctors reminded me, more invasive treatments are the ticket to a permanent anti-aging solution. "People are even beginning to use Botox and fillers in their early 30s as a preventative measure," said Cothern.
Aside from all of the different cleansers, serums and moisturizers, both doctors stressed sunscreen as the most important product of them all. It is vital to make sure your daily moisturizer contains SPF so you can reduce the amount of sun damage and invasive treatments you will need in the future.
Products Suggested by Dermatologists
Eminence Clear Skin
Probiotic Cleanser, $38
Eminence Lime Refresh
Tonique, $38
Eminence Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer, $58
Obagi Nu-Derm Starter Kit, $425
SkinMedica TNS
Essential Serum, $270
SkinMedica Retinol
Complex 1.0, $85
Vivite Exfoliating Cleanser, $40