Abstract
Introduction
Desmond Morris, the Zoologist, quoted in 1967, ‘Flawless skin is the most universally desired human feature’, explaining the primordial human’s need to ‘advertise’ health, vitality, and fertility with a blemish-less skin and radiant complexion. 1 The years pass, but does our skincare routine evolve accordingly? What worked at age 20 would not necessarily do the job at age 30, and as the years go by, we become more and more aware of the concept of ‘anti-aging’. Unfortunately, we cannot turn back the clock, but what we can do is learn what our skin needs at every stage of the clock’s hands. Just like we have changed our style of dress over the years, so should we adjust our skincare routine to suit our skin. The most vital word in skincare ‘cosmetic’ was derived from the Greek word ‘kosmetikos’, meaning having the skill to arrange /adorn to convey harmony/order.
Skincare Tips for All Ages
Do not hesitate to invest in your skin, it is going to talk for you for a very long time.
There are a few skincare treatments we should give ourselves at any age. One must think of them as brushing one’s teeth—they are essential. Every recommendation beyond that assumes we are already taking care of these basics.
Face wash: Whether foam-based or oil-based, we must cleanse our face daily with a face-specific cleanser.
Exfoliation: Our skin has dozens of layers of dead skin at any given time, called keratin. Without peeling them off, all other skincare products we use will have to try to penetrate these layers. The exfoliation could be with a toner, a mask or a physical exfoliator—they all work.
Moisturiser: This category includes day creams and night creams. Even if our skin is oily, it needs this.
Sunscreen: This might already be included in our day cream or makeup, but we must ensure that something is protecting our skin from the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. The best products contain zinc and titanium dioxide, which physically shield our skin.
Anti-aging Skincare Products
Some effective anti-aging products include:
Skincare Routine for Our 20s
At this age, the pimples from adolescence are becoming a thing of the past. Skin is generally youthful, elastic and resilient. Hydration alone is required, and introducing a beauty serum (oil or water-based) can help maintain that youthful glow. This is no time to ignore the skin, as the preparation for a good-quality skin at the age of 50 starts now. The biggest mistake is overusing exfoliation products. The young skin is already doing a great job renewing itself, and it only needs a little help occasionally to show better results. What is more important are antioxidants that will prevent changes in skin tone and treat pigmentation spots left by pimples. However, sunscreen is, of course, a product we cannot skip. If using makeup, it needs to be washedoff every evening. So, we need:
Foaming facial cleanser Serum Sunscreen Spot treatment products
Skincare Routine for Our 30s
In our 30s, fine lines may appear, indicating early signs of aging. Our skin takes twice or even three times as long to renew itself, so it needs more help in the process. We should exfoliate twice a week with a facial cleanser with gentle exfoliation. Eye cream to prevent wrinkles and loose skin becomes our best friend, as does retinol, though it should be used with caution in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Retinol boosts collagen while retinoic acid promotes elastin, thereby preventing fine lines and wrinkles. In short, it keeps the skin young and fresh. So, we need:
Facial cleanser with gentle exfoliation Cream with retinol Sunscreen Eye cream
Skincare Routine for Our 40s
Skin may lose its firmness and elasticity to some extent. This decade builds upon the good habits we have already established in previous years. If we want to maintain healthy and fresh skin, we must prioritise drinking water, getting good sleep and avoiding smoking. If we have maintained a good skincare routine until now, all we need to do is tweak it slightly. Instead of foaming cleansers that deep clean acne prone oily skin of younger skin, we must opt for a gentle facial cleanser suitable for sensitive, older skin. Eye cream and sunscreen are to be continued. The skin now specifically needs antioxidants, so incorporating products with vitamin C into our routine to prevent damage is desirable. So, we need:
Gentle facial cleanser (not foam) Sunscreen Products with vitamin C Retinol cream Eye cream
Skincare Routine for Our 50s
Acne is uncommon at this age, so we no longer need products containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Instead, opting for products with peptides and hyaluronic acid is beneficial. There is no need for powerful exfoliation now; retinol and peptide-based products will gently encourage skin renewal. Peptides, in particular, will reduce wrinkles and help boost collagen production, which tends to slow down during this period. One non-negotiable factor is moisturiser, and incorporating physical activity is also highly recommended to keep the cells active and healthy. So, we need:
Creamy facial cleanser Products with peptides or hyaluronic acid moisturisers Retinol cream Sunscreen
Skincare Routine for Our 60s
Now is the time to meet with a dermatologist to check your skin’s condition, particularly pigmentation spots. Deeper wrinkles and sagging can occur, and professional assistance may be advisable. Non-surgical facial rejuvenation can be opted for to improve skin quality. At this stage, it is all about maintenance, so one should continue using sunscreen. It is highly recommended to avoid skincare products with artificial fragrances, as our skin now requires gentler treatments. Beauty oils that provide essential fatty acids and vitamins and help restore the skin’s natural glow and elasticity can be a game-changer for aging skin. Oils containing vitamin E work best. So, we need:
Creamy facial cleanser Facial oil /peptide-hyaluronic acid moisturisers Retinol cream (highly recommended for dry or sensitive skin) Sunscreen
Skincare Routine for Our 70s and Beyond
One thing to know about this age is that our skin is much more sensitive and thinner than it used to be. It is now less elastic. Gentle products need to be used. Also, it is recommended to apply products from the bottom up, against gravity, especially if gravity is already showing its effects on our skin. Anti-aging products are now redundant because the most important thing for the skin now is hydration and protection. So, we need:
Creamy facial cleanser Facial oil Hyaluronic acid products (especially hydrating serums) Sunscreen
What Is the Correct Order for Applying Cosmetic Products?
When using cosmetic products, it is important to do so in the correct order. The rule of thumb is that the creamier the product, the larger its molecules, so it should be applied closer to the end. Here is the correct order for applying your cosmetic products:
Cleansing: Start with a gentle cleanser that suits the skin type Exfoliation (two to three times a week at most, depending on one’s age) Toner Eye cream Serum: Use specialised serums targeting the current skincare concerns (e.g., fine lines, pigmentation). Moisturiser/facial oil: To retain hydration Sunscreen: For UV protection, SPF 30plus The general rule of thumb is that all products containing vitamin C should be coated with sunscreen, and retinol-based creams are best applied at night to reduce the chances of photosensitivity.
Common Mistakes in Skincare
Sunscreens are imperative at all ages for skin well-being. They prevent skin cancer too, as per many evidence-based studies. Still, more men than women do not use sunscreens effectively and regularly. Awareness programs on skin cancer should focus on encouraging men to use sunscreen daily and wear other sun-protective products. 2
One fix for all will fail for skincare. According to a study done with artificial intelligence (AI) in China on acne severity trends, it was concluded that skin type, sensitivity, makeup, diet, urbanisation, seasons, altitude and radiation impacted the severity of acne. Blackheads, pores, dark circles and skin roughness were linked to acne severity. These findings recommended personalised skincare and public health strategies for adult women. 3
The common skincare mistakes that need to be avoided at any age are:
Foregoing sunscreen: Can lead to sun damage that is difficult to reverse at any age. Overzealous exfoliating: Can strip the skin of essential oils and thin and scar. Neglecting hydration: Can lead to dull skin that ages faster than normal. Inconsistent routine: Can diminish the effects and lead to frustration and a vicious cycle of resorting to inappropriate skincare regimes.
Recent Advances
A multipeptide eye serum that uses a multi-targeted mechanism against skin aging to improve the skin appearance, making it an ideal choice for daily skincare, especially for the wrinkles around the eye called the ‘crow’s feet’ area. 4 Future studies should aim to examine the effect of personal skincare product usage on skin microbiome across various age groups, genders, and body sites to analyse predisposing factors for skin ill health. 5 The purpose of skincare is to ‘maintain skin surface in its physiological acidic state, which is in turn crucial for the permeability barrier function, stratum corneum integrity/cohesion, and antimicrobial defense.’ 6
Conclusion
It is most important to love and pamper one’s skin. It is the largest organ of the body and protects vital organs. So, irrespective of one’s age, the skin needs special care. Skincare is a lifelong commitment and understanding how to adapt our routine based on our age can make a significant difference to our skin health. By realising the unique challenges that come with age and incorporating effective products into our routine, like sunscreens, skin-tightening treatments and anti-aging serums, we can maintain a fresh, youthful look. Whatever be one’s age, the key is to listen to one’s skin and replenish its evolving needs. With a little bit of care, one can enjoy beautiful and refreshed skin in every decade of life.
Skin is the largest organ of the body and yet often the most neglected one. We are either never conscious about its needs or suddenly we lose interest in its well-being, in the toil and rattle of everyday life. But skin is a very jealous partner, demanding constant care and attention, and if we fail to provide the same, it makes us look tired and aged.
This article is the sum of experience of four doctors, two ladies and two gents, who have, during their tryst with personal skincare, talked to professionals, read books and periodicals and come to the conclusion that skincare requirements change with every decade of life and skincare products should fulfil specific requirements for specific life phases and specific skin conditions. Age-appropriate skincare is a must, and in this article, the authors have intended to discuss the same.
Footnotes
Authors’ Contribution
Surajit, Neeta and Neela helped in conception and design of the study and acquisition of data.
Kaushik, Neela, Neeta and Surajit helped in drafting of the article.
Surajit and Neeta critically revised the study.
Kaushik, Neela, Neeta and Surajit provided final approval to the study.
Declaration of Conflicting Interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.
Funding
The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.