YOUR SKIN AT ANY AGE | WHAT YOUR SKIN NEEDS

Different Treatments for Adult Skin

Your skin changes as you age. That's why taking care of it requires that you understand exactly what your skin needs at different stages from your teen years to your adult skin throughout the decades               

In your teens and twenties you probably don't feel the need to moisturize since your skin is still producing more than it now than it will later as you age. Likewise, in your teens, your hormone levels are relatively high which is something that triggers more oil production. For many of us, this is the time when acne strikes, and that tends to be the focus of our skincare.

A gentle cleanser is the best way to start your skincare routine, to keep your pores clear and control oil. And although you may not think you need it, or may be afraid to try it if you think it's going to clog your pores, you probably still need to moisturize.  It's best to use an oil-free moisturizer, to keep your skin healthy and to avoid over production of oil that is triggered when skin is particularly dry. 

All skin types benefit from a healthy diet and plenty of water, so try to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and keep the water bottle handy. And, all that said, you need a sunscreen to protect your skin, at every age.

What to do, in your teens:

     *Consider a good over-the-counter acne-fighting regimen that addresses oil production and works to clear pores, such as a benzoyl peroxide cleanser to fight mild to moderate acne.

     *Use oil-free skincare products to replace moisture and combat dryness that your acne regimen might cause -- because to do its job it has to target oil.

     *Use a non-comedogenic (not pore clogging) sunscreen to protect your skin, with a minimum SPF 15. (You'll thank us later)

In your twenties, your skin may still have some breakouts, or if you were lucky enough to skip acne in your teen years, you might start seeing your first blemishes as an adult. Focus on unclogging pores while still providing moisture. When treating acne, remember, acne fighting regimens target oil as one of the key factors that cause acne.  Be sure to add an oil free moisturizer to keep your skin healthy and avoid over-drying.  When addressing other skincare needs, remember, at your age, your face already has a natural "glow," so you don't need lots of products promising radiant skin - if you keep your skin healthy, you should have plenty of natural radiance.

What to do, in your twenties:

You might want to start preventing wrinkles as well as prevent breakouts.

     *If you're not dealing with an acne issue, clean your skin with a product designed to keep pores clear without stripping all the oils, such as a mild cleanser with a low concentration of salicylic acid.

     *If you're fighting mild to moderate acne, implement a regimen that uses benzoyl peroxide, but remember to add moisture. An oil free moisturizer will help combat dryness.

     *Use sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15.

In your thirties your hormone levels and other growth factors begin to subside. Your skin may become dry and a bit uneven in coloring, causing it to look dull. You also might notice that the texture of your skin is changing. You will probably notice some roughness and unevenness -- the result of the epidermis getting drier and thicker. And even if they're teeny and not too numerous, those clumps of pigment known as brown spots typically start popping up at about age 30.  This age is also a time when fine lines, wrinkles and other age-related signs may appear. If you don't have a serious skincare routine, this is the time to start.

If you are experiencing acne now, it's likely that you also had it as a teenager.  But, if you are caught off guard by adult acne and not sure what to do about those breakouts, you're not alone.  Combining an acne prevention regimen with your skincare routine is easy to do.

What to do, in your thirties:

It's time to use moisturizer to hydrate skin plus take action to help your skin glow and even out dry areas.

     *Consider products with ingredients that help improve texture such as vitamin C.

     *To target your acne, understand acne fighting ingredients, like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and sulfur, and how they will work with your current regimen.

     *Begin a regimen of exfoliation to help even out color and texture.

     *Consider addressing fine lines as well.

     *Use sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15.

In your forties and beyond things change yet again. Your hormone levels and other growth factors decline. This causes a greater loss of collagen, elastin, and other components of your skin. You may also notice more inflammation. You may even notice brown spots beginning. If you're starting to see expression lines or crows feet around your eyes, there are a variety of products that promise a younger-looking face with botox-like results, without the needle.

And, if you're experiencing acne now, you probably wish the expression "complexion of a teenager" meant something else entirely.

What to do, in your forties and beyond:

The way to combat these changes is to fight the good fight on many fronts.

     *Wash with gentle cleansers as needed.

     *Ensure your skin is hydrated by drinking plenty of fresh water and using a good moisturizer with ingredients such as soy extract, vitamin A, and vitamin E.

     *Lessen brown spots with products that contain skin-lightening agents such as vitamin E, aloe vera gel, fruit acids and enzymes.

     *Treat wrinkles and fine lines as they appear by exfoliating with products containing alpha hydroxy.

     *Keep using sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15.

Make sure to visit your dermatologist for the best advice for your skin, at any age.

Proactiv

Proactiv, the world's #1 acne system, uses Combination Therapy® to directly target the root causes of acne - bacteria, oil production, and dead skin cell build up - to heal and soothe acne-prone skin. Developed by leading dermatologists, Drs. Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields, Proactiv clears existing blemishes, treats inflammation and redness, and prevents new breakouts before they start.

Get the smooth, clear, healthy-looking skin you deserve with Proactiv.