Caring for your skin in your 20's

It is never to early to take care of your skin but people in their 20's generally don't follow a strict skincare regimen, with the exception of a lucky few who have gotten great advice from their moms. I sure didn't when I was in my early 20's. School activities and sports took up most of my time during the day; at night, parties and nightouts with friends were too hard to pass up, even as we burned the midnight oil studying during exam week. Then after graduation, its job hunting time.Time to experiment with makeup and trying out new products which sometimes do more harm than good.

Your 20's is actually a great time for your skin because skin cells regenerate faster.You have left behind the awkward adolescent stage when your oil glands were hyperactive, hence making you prone to pimples and acne. Whatever residual acne problem you may have can be addressed by a reputable dermatologist especially when there is scarring.

Here are a couple of tips on how to keep your skin healthy:

Wear sunscreen. You are active and spend a lot of time under the sun so this is a necessity. An SPF of 15 is okay but for the times when you hie off to the beach with friends protect yourself with an SPF of 30 or higher. It is also best to choose a moisturizer that is not too heavy on the skin so you won't have clogged pores. Avoid the mid-day sun from 10a.m. to 4p.m. if you can help it.According to dermatologists, 80 % of all aging can be directly related to exposure to sunlight.

Never use regular soap to cleanse your face. A light facial wash with microbeads to slough off dirt and oil will keep your pores unclogged and prevent blackheads and whiteheads from forming.

Remove makeup before going to bed. You are at an age when it is so great to experiment with makeup. For those who prefer the goth look and use a lot of bold eye makeup and mascara, remember to use a cleansing oil or makeup remover. Do not let makeup settle in your skin overnight. You don't want to wake up with raccoon eyes and broken off lashes. Stick to pressed powder on regular days and use foundation only on special occasions. You only need foundation to keep your skin even toned. Concealer is important to cover a blemish or tone down dark undereye circles. Use a tinted moisturizer for minimal coverage. You don't need much cover up because you still have great skin. Go for the more subdued look when applying makeup on weekdays when you go to work. Reserve the more experimental look for weekends.

Starting a regular fitness routine if you are not so involved in sports. There is nothing like sweating out all the toxins you have accumulated by eating all that junk food and taking in a lot of caffeine to keep awake during exam week. Fitness trainers say that by age 25, your fat-burning abilities start to decrease. If you hit the road running at this age, you are likely to stay fit and trim when you reach your 30's.

Establish good eating habits. You are what you eat. Of course this is the time to indulge in all the sinful treats your heart desires because, lucky you, you can still get away with it. Take vitamins that are rich in iron to keep your blood healthy and Vitamin C to keep flu at bay (you can't afford to miss out on all the fun).

They say prevention is worth a pound of cure. Your skin is generally healthy and dewy but you still need a little help to bring out the best in your skin.Common cosmetic problems like acne, cellulite and unwanted hair are the main concerns of people in this age group. Here are a few dermatological procedures to address these concerns:

Microdermabrasion/Diamond peel to lift off dead skin cells and allow skin to regenerate faster
Laser Hair Removal for unwanted facial hair and underarm hair, also for the bikini area
Chemical Peels to combat skin dullness
Blue Light Therapy for Acne on the face and back
Intense Pulse Light or IPL for freckles and sun damaged skin
Cellulite treatment for stubborn baby fat and to treat unsightly "orange-peel" skin
Skin Whitening is a common procedure for people in this age group

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