When thinking about anti-aging or pro-aging products, many younger people tend to associate them with individuals in their 40s to early 50s. So why should someone in their 20s consider using anti-aging skincare products?

The reality is that several skin functions begin to slow down in our twenties.  So, to prevent our skin from looking dull or developing lines and wrinkles, we need to incorporate certain ingredients into our skincare routine.

What happens to the skin when we are in our 20s?

In our early 20s, collagen production begins to decrease by about 1% per year. The production of hyaluronic acid (one of the more well-known glycosaminoglycans), elastin, and sebum as well as the rate of cell renewal also start to slow down. To maintain our skin’s optimal function, it’s important to add ingredients that counteract these physiological changes.

Exfoliation

If you have not been exfoliating your skin regularly, now is the time to start.The cell renewal cycle is 28 days when our skin is functioning at an optimum level. Cell renewal is the natural biological process of eliminating dead skin cells and replacing them with younger, healthier cells. When we increase the elimination of these keratinized cells from the skin’s surface via forced exfoliation, we increase the cell renewal cycle.

Exfoliation should be incorporated into your daily homecare routine 2-3 times per week to maximize cell renewal.

There are different types of exfoliants for homecare depending on your preference. Mechanical (granular) exfoliants, using polished rice powder, allows you to exfoliate without causing micro-lacerations on the skin and to feel the coarseness, as you massage, to remove the dead surface cells. Enzymatic and chemical exfoliants require no manual massage, as they break the protein bonds that remain and retain the cells on the surface of the skin. Often more than one type of exfoliant is used to maximize their benefits and other ingredients are added to provide other beneficial actions, such as toning and moisturizing.

A more intensive, professional chemical exfoliation, singularly or in a series depending on the skin type and condition, should be incorporated into spa facial treatments, at the change of seasons, to keep the skin functioning at optimal level.

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Hyaluronic Acid

The diminishing of hyaluronic acid causes the skin to lose its plumpness, which can promote the development of lines and wrinkles on the skin. This is normally first noticed on the cheeks and the temples. Hyaluronic acid of various molecular weights is designed to penetrate different levels in the skin to provide the maximum plumping effect.

Another ingredient that pairs well with hyaluronic acid is the Sustained Hydration Complex as it also provides and maintains moisture in the skin for 24-48 hours.

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Visible Expression Lines

Mimetic wrinkles, also referred to as expression lines, develop due to the constant contraction of facial muscles when we make facial gestures. The first lines that normally develop are the frown lines between the eyebrows and on the forehead, that contract when we concentrate, and the outer eye area that contract when we smile, laugh or squint. These can be softened and, in some cases, prevented by using peptides.

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Collagen

This fundamental protein, that represents 80% of the proteins in the skin, begins to breakdown at a rate of 1% per year in our early 20’s. There are several types of collagens, each with a specific function and essential to maintaining skin health and integrity. To preserve the skin’s structure, elasticity and firmness, the process of collagen production and regeneration must be recurrent and continuous. It is essential to support the life cycle of collagen to improve and maintain skin health.

Using different molecular weights of collagen combined with other ingredients will maintain the skin of anyone who is well into their late 20’s.

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Antioxidants

Our skin is exposed to environmental stressors from the day we are born. Environmental stressors accelerate the breakdown of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. These essential components of the skin hold moisture to keep the skin plump, provide structural support to prevent the skin from sagging and maintain resiliency to minimize wrinkle formation. In our 20's, as our body’s production of antioxidants slows, the skin can look dull and fine lines and wrinkles can appear.

Thankfully, we can add skincare products formulated with antioxidants to our routine. One of the most popular antioxidants in skincare is vitamin C. The form of vitamin C is important, as L-Ascorbic acid is biologically compatible with the skin. G.M. COLLIN uses a 15% Vital C Complex composed of L-ascorbic acid, Ferulic acid, and Camu-Camu extract to provide overall protection against environmental stressors.

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Lastly and most importantly, daily sun protection is mandatory at all ages to avoid the early onset of fine lines, wrinkles, atony and solar elastosis. An SPF of 25 or higher is recommended daily, even on cloudy days, to protect the skin from the damaging UVA and UVB rays.

Adopting a sound pro-aging skincare routine in our teens and  20s, will ensure glowing and radiant skin for many years to come.