How to look after your skin through your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond

It’s no secret that your skin changes as you get older.

In your teens and twenties, skin tends to look radiant, plump and smooth. But fast forward to

your thirties, forties and fifties and fine lines, wrinkles and dullness can start to kick in.

Prevention is better than cure

“The answer to looking after your skin while you age is to educate yourself and get into good habits by having a solid skincare routine in place from the get-go,” skincare specialist Rosa Scialo, founder of BodySense Beauty Treatments says. 

“If you’ve got good strong foundations, this will stand you in good stead for when you’re older,” Rosa adds. 

To help, we’ve shared how to look after your skin through your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond. 

How to look after your skin in your 20s

Your twenties are crucial for establishing a good skincare routine — and for multiple reasons. “From your mid twenties and early 30s your skin starts to lose collagen, and collagen production reduces by 1% each year,” Rosa says. 

As we know, collagen is the all-important primary building block of your body's skin. So it’s a wise idea to start ‘collagen banking’, which refers to the idea of boosting collagen production, now (in your 20s and beyond) so your body will have more of it later. 

You can do so by sticking to a basic — but brilliant — skincare routine. This includes: 

• Cleansing your skin correctly once in the morning and double cleanse again at night 

• Using a toner if your cleanser isn’t pH balanced

• Using a good eye cream. “Skin around eyes is really delicate,” Rosa says. “And the area around your eyes tends to show signs of aging first.”

• Incorporating a serum into your routine

• Using a good face moisturiser 

• Using a daily SPF 

How to look after your skin in your 30s

With collagen loss now starting to speed up, it’s time to upgrade your skincare routine to include in-clinic treatments, alongside your current routine at home.

Therefore, your skincare routine might include: 

• A good homecare routine, like the above. 

• A visit in-clinic to support your homecare routine. “For example, you could have a basic facial for hydration or a soft peel, like Bio Vit C Peel which will leave skin rejuvenated, hydrated and brighter in appearance,” Rosa says. 

How to look after your skin in your 40s

By your 40s, natural collagen production drops off dramatically, leading to sagging skin, dryness, wrinkles and dullness. During these years, perimenopause — which begins around eight to 10 years before menopause — kicks in, which sees oestrogen levels fluctuate. 

According to an article, published in the Dermato-Endocrinology journal, oestrogen insufficiency weakens our defense against oxidative stress, which results in the skin becoming thinner with less collagen, decreased elasticity, increased wrinkling and increased dryness. 

“So skincare in your 40s is as much about prevention as it is maintenance,” Rosa says. 

Therefore, Rosa recommends: 

• Sticking with a solid homecare routine, as this is a non-negotiable. 

• Upgrading your in-clinic treatments. “By now, your skin therapist should be advising you to up the ante,” Rosa explains. Instead of having your basic pamper style facial, it’s time to bring in age-defying skin tightening treatments, like radio frequency which uses heat to firm, tighten and plump the skin by stimulating collagen production, which subsequently improves elasticity and increases oxygen supply to the skin. 

How to look after your skin in your 50s and beyond

According to the British Menopause Society, 51 is the average age in the UK that women go through menopause. At this time, studies show that women’s skin loses around 30% of its collagen during the first five years of menopause. And around 2% of their collagen every year for the next 20 years.

“Due to this, your skin loses firmness and begins to sag, jowls might appear and wrinkles can set in,” Rosa says. “Some people might also develop acne or congestion.”

So, it’s well advised to: 

• Take your skincare up a notch. “In clinic, this might include something a bit more intensive, like microneedling,” Rosa says. Often referred to as collagen-induction therapy. Microneedling kickstarts the growth of more youthful skin by using a medical-grade microneedle pen, which sets off the skin’s natural healing response and stimulates the fibroblast cells in the area being treated. “These cells stimulate collagen and strengthen the elastin, all of which help to fight against several signs of ageing,” Rosa adds. 

It’s never too late to start looking after your skin 

Whether you’re in your 20s and you’re looking to establish a good homecare plan for your skin barrier, in your 30s and want to keep fine lines and wrinkles at bay, or you’re 40 and stuck as to where to start. Rosa has just under 40 years of experience as a skincare specialist so can point you in the right direction. 

At her Beckenham-based beauty clinic, Rosa offers a wide variety of non-invasive skincare treatments and creates bespoke beauty solutions that are tailored to the needs of your skin. She also stocks leading skincare retailers, such as Matis Paris, ALLSKIN | MED, Biretix and Heliocare, so can advise you on the best products to suit your skincare woes. 

To find out more, give Rosa a ring on 07719 568651 or book in for a treatment.