How to Care for Your Skin in Your Twenties

Once they have left the teenage years, many twenty year olds don't know what to do with their skin care regimen. Acne fighting products that used to work before now dry out their skin and many anti aging products may encourage breakouts and leave the skin feeling greasy. The twenties is a time that many spend confusedly jumping from one miracle product to another, sorely disappointed. Help is here.

Your newfound skin, as you have discovered, has a whole new set of requirements. You now need to moisturize it to prevent dry skin, exfoliate it to prevent dead skin and dirt build up, tone it to make pores smaller, and let's not forget the pressing issue of fine lines that will soon start to plague you. Unfortunately though there seems to be very little on the market to assist those in these years with their skin... until now.

Recently there has been a sudden recognition of twenty year old's needs as far as skin care goes that has given birth to a whole new generation of skin care products. These products not only cleanse, exfoliate, and tone, but also contain ingredients that will help you fight the signs of aging now rather than later. But some of these products can be a waste of time and effort, as there are cheaper alternatives that do the same exact thing.

Let's take cleansing for example. There are a lot of products that can do a perfect job at cleansing your skin, whether or not they are marketed for twenty year old skin care specifically. Those will oily to combination skin will want to look for cleansers that contain extra foaming action - the soapier the better. If you have dry skin, a cream cleanser will probably be best for you, as they're not as drying as soapier cleansers can be. You should cleanse your skin two times a day - once in the morning and once at night.

Exfoliation is another area where specialized products are unnecessary. If you have sensitive skin, something along the lines of St. Ive's Apricot Facial Scrub for Sensitive Skin should work out great for you. If you have normal skin, Queen Helene's Oatmeal and Honey Facial Scrub is an example of a product that will do a great job at sloughing off dead skin cells. If you're blackhead prone, give a blackhead scrub a try. Exfoliate every morning after washing your skin. This will not only get rid of deep dirt and dead skin, but it will also help smooth and refine your skin (further fighting the appearance of fine lines).

Toning is one of the biggest areas where a specialized product is unnecessary. In fact, most toners are primarily made out of Isopropyl Alcohol and water. If you have oily to combination skin, try a solution of one part Isopropyl Alcohol to one part water. If you have sensitive skin or just would like to use something gentle, try out Witchhazel, a long time popular toner and ingredient in many skin care products. Toning will help close your pores so they will be more effective at keeping dirt out. You should tone your skin after cleansing and exfoliating in the morning and again after cleansing at night.

Moisturizing is the major area in which a specialized product is needed. This stuff is not only responsible for keeping your skin from drying out, but it also can fight the effects of aging, provide protection for your skin, and even fight breakouts. If you have oily to combination skin, something along the lines of Mary Kay's Timewise moisturizer for oily/combination skin is probably going to be your best bet. If you have dry skin, try something like Neutrogena's Healthy Skin lotion. And if acne is a problem, Clean and Clear makes a medicated face lotion that is oil free and contains salicyic acid.

Most importantly, take care of your insides. Drink plenty of water, get plenty of rest, keep yourself nourished, and don't pick up bad habits such as smoking. If you take care of your skin now, both inside and out, it will reward you extensively in the years to come.