Although the aging process may be inevitable, adding some preventive measures to your skin care routine can boost your skin health throughout your life.

It’s a fact of life: Our bodies change as we age.

Hormones, genetics, medications, and age-related bone and muscle loss can affect multiple body areas, including the skin. Lifestyle factors like diet and exercise may also have an impact.

Some of these changes are noticeable, especially the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Others, like collagen loss, might not be noticeable for decades.

Here’s what you can do during each decade of your life to help keep your skin healthy at every age.

When you’re in your 20s, wrinkles might be the furthest thing from your mind. But your skin is changing, even if it’s not noticeable yet.

Collagen production

As you age, collagen decreases by about 1% each year, beginning in early adulthood. The loss of collagen may contribute to fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin.

Sun safety

People in their 20s can avoid speeding up collagen loss by protecting their skin from the sun.

UV exposure can contribute to collagen breakdown so using a daily sunscreen is a must

The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) recommends choosing a sunscreen with at least 30 SPF that protects against both UVA and UVB rays — known as broad-spectrum.

People should ask their primary care doctor or a dermatologist to do a skin cancer check each year starting in their 20s, particularly if they have a family history of melanoma.

Acne

Though acne is sometimes thought of as a “teenage problem,” it can continue into your 20s and beyond.

Acne in your post-teen years can also be hormonal and even related to medications you may be taking. This might include lithium, certain hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs), and testosterone or other hormonal treatments.

A 2017 study of women ages 22 to 24 suggested that stress increases the severity of acne.

If you experience mild acne:

  • Select a gel-based cleanser.
  • Use toners with alpha hydroxy acids (like glycolic acid) or salicylic acid.
  • Use a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid.

People with mild acne should also consider:

  • applying sunscreen
  • washing the face twice a day, and after working out
  • using products labeled noncomedogenic

Sleep

Sleep can benefit the skin. While you sleep, your skin naturally replaces dead cells and restores new ones.

According to a 2022 study, bedtime is also an important factor in maintaining skin health. A regular late bedtime can negatively affect skin hydration, firmness, and elasticity.

In your 30s, you may begin to experience fine lines and signs of sun damage. In addition to a good sleep routine, here’s what to keep top of mind.

Even more sun protection

Fine lines are often an early sign of sun damage. According to a 2022 review of research, UV exposure can cause photoaging.

Photoaging refers to mild changes to the epidermis (the outer layer of skin) and major changes to the dermis (the layer of tissue beneath the epidermis).

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) recommends opting for a broad-spectrum sunscreen, applying it 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure, and reapplying every 2 hours.

UVA rays can penetrate glass, such as windows. This can also cause the breakdown of collagen and pigment in your skin. Consider applying broad-spectrum sunscreen or mineral-based sunscreen on exposed skin, even if you’re indoors or in your car.

Overexposure to the sun during your teens and 20s can contribute to earlier signs of wrinkles and dark spots, and increase the likelihood of developing skin cancer.

Continued skin care checks are essential for this reason.

Volume, collagen, and exfoliation

People in their 30s may also notice a loss of volume around their cheeks and eye area because of collagen loss. This is the time to add routine exfoliation and eye cream to your routine.

Consider using a chemical exfoliant. If you want to use a physical exfoliant, you may want to limit use to 1 to 2 days per week, as these exfoliants may dry out the skin.

Vitamin C

A 2020 study suggested topical use of vitamin C could benefit your skin as it ages, including the ability to increase collagen synthesis, reduce free radicals, and lighten dark spots.

You can choose the best vitamin C serums for your skin based on your skin type and concerns.

Laser therapy

Laser therapy may help reduce:

Still, it’s essential to speak with a dermatologist about options first. These may include:

Acne

Hormonal acne can also affect people in their 30s and 40s. According to the AAD, this may be due to fluctuating hormones, stress, or a genetic predisposition. It may also be due to a health condition or appear as a side effect from medication.

If you experience adult acne, a dermatologist can prescribe treatment to help control outbreaks and reduce the appearance of acne scars.

Many people in their 40s are most concerned with loss of elasticity, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Continuing with sunscreen and vitamin C use can help prevent sun damage and reduce its effects.

Skin building-blocks

The skin’s supportive tissue has three building blocks:

The body produces fewer of them as time goes on, reducing your skin’s elasticity. It may be particularly noticeable on the face and neck.

Sun damage

Sun damage could begin to show in the 40s if it didn’t happen in your 30s. Hyperpigmentation can become more prominent during this time as well, largely due to accumulated sun damage over time.

Hydration

Cleansing balms can be a better option for hydrating your skin as you cleanse. Toner can also help rebalance your skin, so use a toner that will replenish lost moisture, like one with aloe.

Cell turnover

To help stimulate cell turnover and maintain a healthy glow, consider trying a top rated gentle chemical exfoliator.

Topical retinol or a retinoid can also help skin cells turn over.

Microneedling can also help aid in cell turnover and collagen production.

Plant-derived stem cells

Plant-derived stem cells are undifferentiated cells. These stem cells come from many plants, each having different benefits.

For example, grapeseed may help with protection from sun damage and can be found in some sunscreens.

Other common benefits of plant-derived stem cells may include:

  • protecting against free radical damage through antioxidant activity
  • boosting collagen production
  • providing anti-inflammatory benefits

Many products claim to contain plant-derived stem cells, but a 2017 review indicated these items mostly contained plant-derived stem cell extracts. The study suggested live versions are better for skin and that more studies are needed.

Consider Botox

Aside from products, people may wish to consider Botox if they didn’t begin it in their 30s.

Botox can relax muscles, improve expression lines, and filler injections can help replace lost volume.

A 2019 literature review indicated Botox was safe and effective at reducing wrinkles.

Lifestyle changes

As you age, your metabolism slows down and your body retains less water.

Be sure to stay hydrated and include lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Cooking with healthy oils and fats and consuming foods high in vitamins and calcium is also a good idea.

Your skin concerns are likely to shift as you enter your 50s.

Skin texture

As we age, ceramide levels and natural hyaluronic acid decrease, which can lead to drier skin and a weakened skin barrier.

This may lead to:

  • increased sensitivity
  • redness
  • irritation
  • dryness
  • dullness

Give your skin a hydration boost with topical moisturizing creams containing hyaluronic acid and ceramides to combat this issue.

A 2020 study suggested participants with dry, atopic eczema-prone skin saw significant improvements in skin hydration and dryness for 24 hours after a single application of a cream and lotion containing ceramides.

Hormones

Menopause may also play a role in the appearance of skin.

Dermal fillers can help the inner structure of the face and increase volume loss due to hormonal changes.

Nutrition

A nutritious diet can continue to help skin, particularly as individuals begin to feel and see the effects of bone density loss and osteoporosis, which are common with aging.

Bone loss in the face can also contribute to a changing appearance as you age.

People can try to reduce the risk of these issues through foods with:

  • high amounts of protein, like lean meats
  • high calcium, such as yogurt and cheese
  • vitamin D, found in fish and eggs
  • vitamin K, often in green, leafy vegetables

Taking a collagen supplement and engaging in strength training are other lifestyle tweaks that may help.

Keep up the sun protection

As you move into your 60s, the results of cumulative sun exposure may start to show in the form of dark spots. Continuing to wear SPF will help prevent the spots from becoming darker, while skin brighteners and lightening creams may be helpful.

Gently exfoliating a few times per week can also improve skin appearance.

Retinol

Retinol is still a key ingredient for those in their 60s and beyond.

A 2021 review noted the benefits of retinol on aging skin, including:

  • increasing production of elastin and collagen
  • reducing water loss from the skin
  • improving elasticity
  • absorbing UV radiation

Whole-body skin care

It’s not just your face that deserves some love. Your hands, neck, and chest all continue to show signs of aging, as they lose volume and become thinner and lose elasticity.

Moisturizing these areas can help.

According to the AAD, skin becomes drier as we age. They suggest that people in their 60s and above should take steps to relieve dry skin. These include:

  • using gentle, fragrance-free cleansers to avoid irritation
  • using warm but not hot water when bathing
  • applying a gentle, fragrance-free body moisturizer within 3 minutes of bathing
  • using a humidifier when the air is dry
  • protecting the skin from harsh chemicals and sunlight, such as wearing gloves when cleaning or gardening, and using SPF daily on the face, ears, and neck

Medication effects on the skin

A history of taking inhaled steroids or immunosuppressant medications can cause the skin to bruise and tear more easily. Keeping it moisturized may help support skin health.

In-office options

In-office procedures may help with targeting skin concerns that come with mature skin, including:

Embrace the skin you’re in

It’s also important to remember that aging is inevitable, and it’s a sign you’re alive! Above all, focus on accepting yourself as you are and growing older gracefully. It’s a privilege to live longer and get older.

It’s OK to accept and embrace the changes we experience, and how you do that is up to you.

There are options, like Botox, to help people feel better about themselves as they age, but you shouldn’t feel pressure to do any of it.

Fine lines, wrinkles, unwanted pigment, and loss of elasticity are four of the more noticeable and common signs of maturing skin. The aging process starts in the 20s, when the skin begins to lose collagen. Damage from UV rays can speed up collagen loss, so wearing sunscreen daily is essential.

Continued use of sunscreen, as well as adding topical vitamin C, retinoids, and hyaluronic acid, can help fight the free radicals that cause further skin damage. This can help slow down the signs of aging.

Getting enough sleep, eating nutritious foods, and keeping alcohol intake to a minimum are lifestyle tweaks that support the skin as you age.

That said, it’s essential to remember that aging is inevitable, and it’s OK to embrace the skin you have.

Beth Ann Mayer is a New York-based writer. In her spare time, you can find her training for marathons and wrangling her son, Peter, and three furbabies.