Healthy-Looking Skin at Every Age

You've no doubt seen the countless magazine round ups about dressing or skincare by the decade.  And yes- they are a guilty pleasure and oh so fun to read. Even if we think you can absolutely wear whatever you want, whenever you want, there are some hard and fast truths as to how our skin ages from a time perspective. But at StriVectin, we like to look at skincare from all angles, where many other factors affect how we age vs. just the candles on your birthday cake.

Let's look at certain superstar ingredients and healthy habits that transcend typical aging categories.  Whether you’re 25 or 85, there are certain things all skin needs to be its healthy-looking best.

Do it clean.

We know makeup may not be happening right now, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be washing your face in the morning and at night. A regular cleansing routine is crucial for radiant, healthy-looking skin at every age. In your 20s, cleansing and exfoliation help keep your pores perfect and protects against breakouts. In comparison, in your 30s, a regular cleansing regimen is a crucial step in the right direction to help anti-aging treatments do their job by providing a fresh canvas for all those new serums you want to try. In your 40s and 50s, you'll notice your skin needs proper hydration, and a moisturizing cleanser can help soothe and protect your skin without stripping away its barrier. And as the skin continues to be more delicate in your 60s and beyond, cleansing your skin can help with product build-up and remove impurities for a fresher, cleaner, healthier look.  And if you’re looking to up your cleanser game at any age and help out with rough, dull skin, hit reset with an exfoliator. To get a deep clean, use our Glycolic Skin Reset Mask 2-3x per week. Often referred to as the “holy grail” of acids, Glycolic Acid holds the key to visibly younger skin as it gently exfoliates to restore glow and refine pores.

Ramp up your retinol.

Retinol is a gold standard ingredient for every age. Found naturally in the body, this form of Vitamin A increases cell turnover to help even out skin tone, create a more radiant appearance, diminish pores and imperfections, firm and smooth skin, and minimize wrinkles and fine lines appearing as early as your 20s and 30s. In your 40s, hormonal changes and exposure to environmental factors like blue light, pollution, and stress may be showing up on your skin. These factors can lead to a loss of elasticity and firmness, and Retinol is an excellent rescue for aging skin in need of a healthy boost. In your 50s +, your skin can become drier and more sensitive as well as thinner, but Retinol products are still a must-have, especially to target deep wrinkles. Just make sure to patch test any new formulas. If you are over 50 and concerned about using Retinol, a product like our S.T.A.R. Light™ Retinol Night Oil can be used at night and mixed (a drop or two) with your regular moisturizer for a much-needed kickstart.

Hold on to your collagen.

We've written about going to college with collagen, but it's worth mentioning here because collagen is to skin health and a youthful appearance. We may not be able to go back to being newborns (when our collagen is at its peak), but we can get our bounce back. As early as your 20s, collagen production begins to wane, and by the time women are of menopausal age, natural collagen production slows to a crawl. How to keep up with collagen? Use your 30s and 40s to help keep collagen production intact by limiting sugar, tobacco, and too much caffeine, as well as exposure to both UVA and UVB rays. A diet rich in antioxidants like Vitamins E and C along with blueberries, dark, leafy greens, and eggs are all great collagen supporters. Our SD Advanced™ PLUS Intensive Moisturizing Concentrate is a bonafide icon of smart skincare that moisturizes, hydrates, and targets ten types of collagen to visibly smooth wrinkles and stretch marks so your skin will be its very best at any age.

Defend and protect.

If you take away one thing from this post, know this: defending your skin against UVA and UVB rays is key to preserving your skin's health. From screen time, all the time to harmful environmental stressors like pollution and sun exposure, you are never too old or too young to use sunscreen. Whether you are spending more time indoors or soaking up the sun, stay safe, and protected. You can double up on benefits with our Advanced Retinol Day Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30, which combines protection with the power of Retinol. Or protect your skin with our Full Screen™ Broad Spectrum SPF 30 collection, packed with daily vitamins, in a variety of finishes and suitable for any age.

Keep your neck in check. 

A good neck cream used to be the provenance of women over 40, but we recommend taking a good look at your support system (namely your neck) and getting it all in check early. From endless heads bowed while scrolling through social media to all of the above concerns that lead to premature aging (sun, pollution, etc), to the fact that the skin on your neck is thinner and naturally drier than the skin on your face – necks require a bit of VIP treatment. Hydrated skin is healthy skin, and our number one selling neck cream, TL Advanced™ Tightening Neck Cream PLUS moisturizes while visibly tightening. It also has serious cult status and is here to tighten, firm, and improve elasticity on that lovely neck of yours, whatever your age or point-of-view.