The best skin care routine in your 20s

It might have been acceptable to occasionally forget to wash off your make up when you were pulling all-nighters or partying in college, but this is one of the biggest mistakes you can make when it comes to skin care. Sleeping in your make up means your pores can become clogged, which is a breeding ground for pimples and blemishes. Finding a cleanser that suits your skin type and that you know you will use no matter how tired you are at the end of the day is key. There are some great ones that don’t require rinsing off with water, which means easy breezy makeup removing power no matter the time of day. Try Garnier SkinActive’s All-in-1 Micellar Cleansing Water for an easy and thorough way to cleanse.

As we said before, your 20s are a time in which your skin can change significantly-whether due to hormonal factors or a change in your environment [what sort of change of life? Explain in a word or two]. Knowing what skin type you are is important for you to determine which products work best for your skin. This is a good time for a visit with a dermatologist who can determine your skin type.

Once you know what your skin type is, we recommend the following cleansers: For dry skin try a cream-based cleanser that nourishes and hydrates. For combination skin try to find a cleanser specifically formulated for your skin type, you can get a cleanser that will control oil in your T-zone but will hydrate drier areas of your face like the cheeks. For oily skin get a foaming cleanser that is still mild enough to not increase your oil gland production. For sensitive skin look out for a cleanser with no fragrance or alcohol, which can be irritating.

The skin around the eyes is extremely thin and sun exposure can lead to wrinkles in this area. To protect it, always make sure to use SPF 15 and wear sunglasses to shield the eye region. If you’ve had a late night and your eyes start to look puffy, invest in a quick fix like the Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller. You’ll be looking fresh again in no time.

What you eat can show up on your skin so it’s time to put down the junk food and late-night pizza, and start thinking about nutrition and a healthy lifestyle more seriously. Stock up on fresh vegetables and fruits to ensure you’re getting enough vitamins and antioxidants. Also, if you have the habit of smoking, now’s the time to ditch it. Smoking will make your skin age faster and can cause wrinkles as well as dull skin.

You should start incorporating preventative anti-aging products into your daily skin care routine especially now when your skin is still at its peak in terms of elasticity and firmness. A retinol, glycolic, salicylic, or lactic acid can work wonders for your skin in the future, however right now be careful that the concentration isn’t too high for your skin particularly if you have oily, combination or sensitive skin as you may experience irritation or breakouts.

Always remember to hydrate your skin after you cleanse and add serum. You should try using a lightweight cream or gel during the day that contains at least SPF 15. At night use a thicker moisturizer to protect your skin’ and hydrate your skin so that you can wake up looking refreshed and glowing.