Skincare at 25

According to psychologists, we 'fully' reach adulthood at 25. So how should we care for our skin, as we chop and change between products designed for young adults and treatments that slow down the skin-ageing clock? From using salicylic acid for your skin to adopting healthy lifestyle habits, here is a skincare routine for your 20s that will show how to get plump skin naturally.

Tip 1 – Cleansing

Cleansing is a skincare golden rule, no matter what age we are! Cleansing before bed removes all the grime that has built up during the day, whilst a morning cleanse will remove impurities that accumulate overnight. You can try L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Purifying Micellar Water that has 5x cleansing power which gently pulls out all the impurities from the skin caused by pollution (pm 2.5), makeup, sebum and dust!

For the right skincare at 25, go for products suited to your skin type: a milk for dry skin, micellar water for oily skin and a cleansing gel for combination skin. Here is a tip – to refresh and revive your skin from inside out, look for a cleanser with salicylic acid. Adding salicylic acid products right from the first step in your routine will help you unclog pores and get rid of acne scars and blemishes. Whatever you do, make sure your cleanser is right for your skin or you could end up with spots or blackheads.

Tip 2 – Exfoliating and repairing

Give your skin a twice-weekly scrub. It will boost your micro-circulation to give you a fresh-faced glow and help your skin to soak up the active ingredients in your moisturiser. Fruit acids, enzymes, grains - the choice is there! Once your skin is squeaky clean, treat it to a green clay mask for its purifying, repairing and anti-ageing properties. A quick and easy tip to take care of your skin in your 20s is to use a skincare product that hydrates and exfoliates your skin, all at once. Using an essence with salicylic acid in your daily routine can get this job done for you! For example, the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Crystal Micro Essence is a lightweight product with salicylic acid that penetrates 10 layers deep* within in your skin to refine your pores and improve your skin’s texture from within. But what does salicylic acid do? Salicylic acid encourages exfoliation of your skin that helps you unclog pores and get rid of dead skin cells. Wondering if salicylic acid is good for dry skin? Salicylic acid for dead skin works great on all skin types, from oily and normal, to dry and combination, and gently cleans your pores. The Revitalift Crystal Micro Essence not only exfoliates your skin but also hydrates it, so you are left with crystal clear, bright, and radiant skin.

Tip 3 – Moisturising and preventing wrinkles

Moisturising is up there with cleansing if you want to take care of your skin in your 20s! Fortunately, at 25 we do not need to bring out the heavy artillery. A moisturiser (serum, cream, mask) will leave your skin supple and radiant, whilst keeping the wrinkles at bay. And despite what you may have heard, moisturising won't give you a greasy shine: nowadays the active ingredients in lighter creams balance sebum levels, leaving our complexions matt and blemish-free. To round off, apply an eye contour cream to prevent the early appearance of crow's feet. On some days when your skin needs an extra pick me up, treat it to a hydrating sheet mask like the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Crystal Micro Essence Sheet Mask. After using salicylic acid for the skin, leave the sheet mask on for 15 minutes to give your skin an intense boost of hydration and be left with glowing skin, accelerate the benefits of salicylic acid and treat your skin to the while also hydrating your skin and leave it feeling soft and smooth.

Sure, you might not have wrinkles yet, but if you wait till you spot your first one, it will be too late. Instead, start adopting anti-aging ingredients like salicylic acid for wrinkles to keep your skin younger for longer. Facewashes, serums, essences, and sheet masks are some of the different ways in which you can use salicylic acid on your face to get the most out of it.

Tip 4 – Protecting your skin from the elements

We all love to party! Downing a few glasses at the pub, basking on a beach, hitting a club and ending the evening with a kebab in hand... Sadly, going on the razzle can wreak havoc with our skin. Booze dehydrates our skin plus they can cause spider veins to burst, leaving us with a blotchy complexion. They also cause blood vessels that nourish our skin to contract, literally starving it of essential nutrients. So, it is vital to establish a routine for skincare at 25 that protects your skin from our fun-loving lifestyles - the sun included! To prevent red patches, sunburn, and premature skin ageing, make sure you apply a day cream that contains an SPF. You will moisturise and protect your skin in one go.

Tip 5 – Keeping a check on your lifestyle

The importance of getting our beauty sleep? Our skin recovers overnight, particularly between midnight and 4am, when cell renewal peaks. Adopt a relaxing bedtime routine: a hot bath, a face mask, a cup of herbal/fruit tea. It'll help you unwind, let go of your hectic day and enjoy a good night's sleep. And if you apply a night cream, you'll help your epidermis to repair itself. Diet-wise, keep up with your 5 a day for their antioxidant goodness (raspberries, nuts, artichokes, red cabbage) and drink LOTS of water!

If you have stressed over learning how to get younger and glowing skin in your 20s, keep these tips in mind to slow down the ageing clock and enjoy healthy and youthful skin for longer. Understand the different uses of salicylic acid and pay attention to your diet, exercise, and sleep to keep signs of premature aging at bay.

*Within epidermis in the stratum corneum layer