Skincare for Every Decade: Optimizing Your Routine at Every Stage of Life
Skincare is not one-size-fits-all, and it evolves as you move through different stages of life. What your skin needs at 15 is will be different from what it needs at 35 or 50. Let's break it down decade by decade so you can give your skin what it truly needs—and skip what it doesn’t.
Kids and Teens (0-16): Focus on Lifestyle, Not Products
Okay, first off, kids and skincare? Nope. They don’t need it. Even your teens with hormonal breakouts don’t need to stack their bathroom counter with serums and masks. Here’s the thing: breakouts during this time are normal. Hormones are doing their thing, and skin is reacting. That’s life—and skincare isn’t the magical fix for this.
Before you rush your teen to a dermatologist who piles on prescription meds, topical steroids, or—even birth control, pause. Instead, focus on their diet and lifestyle. Yep, breakout triggers often have more to do with what’s happening inside the body than what you can slap on the surface. Ditch the fast food, processed junk, refined sugar, gluten, and caffeine overload.
BUT it’s not just about what they eat—take a hard look at their personal care products. Shampoo, deodorant, body wash, even laundry detergent can be packed with nasty endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Switch to cleaner, non-toxic options to help balance their hormones. Oh, and a major one? Get them off their screens. Encourage outdoor play, fresh air, and sunshine. It does wonders for both mood and skin.
Note:
Tell them not to pick at their zits. Zits are gonna happen. Teach them to leave them alone—no poking, no squeezing.
Ages 16–19: Simplify and Go Natural
Less is more at this age. Truly, all your skin needs right now is:
Recommended Routine:
Cleanser:
Recommended cleanser:
Moisturizer:
Recommended moisturizers:
SPF:
Recommended SPF:
Note:
The focus here is avoiding harsh chemicals and keeping the skin barrier intact. Resist the urge to overload with products—even during hormonal breakouts.
Ages 20–29: Building the Basics
Your 20s are the time to build a consistent routine and introduce targeted treatments. This decade is all about preserving youthful, healthy skin while addressing emerging concerns like dullness, pigmentation, and occasional breakouts.
Recommended Routine:
Cleanser
Recommended cleansers:
Serum (1–2 gentle options)
Recommended serums:
Moisturizer
Recommended moisturizers:
SPF
Recommended SPF:
TINTED NON TOXIC SPF
Note:
Simplicity is still key. Focus on maintaining hydration and protecting your skin from environmental factors like sun exposure and pollution.
Ages 30–39: Advanced Prevention and Treatment
Once you reach your 30s, skin changes become more noticeable. Collagen production begins to decrease, which can lead to fine lines and loss of elasticity. This is when a more proactive and preventative approach becomes necessary.
Recommended Routine:
Cleanser
Recommended cleansers:
Active Serums (1–2)
Recommended serums:
CORRECT PREVENTATIVE RETINAL SERUM
STEMFACTOR GROWTH FACTOR SERUM
Moisturizer
Recommended moisturizer:
ENRICH RESTORATIVE FACE AND NECK CREAM
SPF
Recommended SPF:
Eye Serum
Recommended eye serum:
Additions:
Start monthly exfoliation to encourage skin cell turnover.
Recommended exfoliant:
POLISH MD GENTLE ENZYME EXFOLIANT - (membership required)
At-home treatments like facial massage, gua sha, cupping, derma rolling, or face taping.
Note:
Consistency is KEY here.
Ages 40+: The LEVEL UP
By your 40s, your routine should go beyond maintenance—it’s time to actively repair and rejuvenate. Hormonal and structural changes may lead to dryness, deeper wrinkles, and a loss of volume in certain areas.
Recommended Routine:
Cleanser
Recommended cleansers:
Active Serums (minimum of 2)
Recommended serums:
RENEW MD ADVANCED RETINAL SERUM - (membership required)
STEMFACTOR GROWTH FACTOR SERUM
STEMFACTOR MD GROWTH FACTOR SERUM - (membership required)
CATALYST MD DNA REPAIR SERUM - (membership required)
*The MD Advanced products are professional grade formulas with 30% stronger actives.Enhancing Products:
Recommended enhancements:
Moisturizers (1–2)
Recommended moisturizers:
CARE CELLULAR ANTI AGING CREAM
ENRICH RESTORATIVE FACE AND NECK CREAM
REMEDY MD REPAIRING MASK - (membership required)
YOUTH FIRMING NECK AND CHEST CREAM
Eye Serum
Recommended eye serum:
Exfoliation (2x per month)
Recommended exfoliants:
POLISH MD ENZYME EXFOLIANT - (membership required)
SPF
Recommended SPF:
Additional Treatments:
Implement face taping a minimum of 3–4 nights per week to smooth wrinkles naturally.
Incorporate regular derma rolling (1–2 times per week) to stimulate collagen production. (my roller is coming soon!)
Use red light therapy to target skin elasticity and improve overall tone.
Cosmetic acupuncture can be amazing at lifting and reducing inflammation.
*Get $50 off your session with this link.
Note:Instead, prioritize holistic and regenerative treatments over invasive or aggressive approaches. It's all about maintenance and working with your skin’s natural changes to keep it feeling and looking its best.
A Note on What to Avoid
When addressing aging skin, it can be tempting to opt for quick fixes. However, some treatments can do more harm than good over time:
Botox and fillers can lead to unnatural results and require frequent maintenance.
Laser treatments and chemical peels can cause skin thinning and sensitivity when overused.
Note:
For more significant concerns, you might consider advanced procedures like fat transfers or minor cosmetic surgery for fuller volume without the risks associated with botox, fillers, or harsh chemical peels.
Remember, It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All
This guide is a great starting point, but everyone’s skin is different. From genetics to lifestyle, no two people have the exact same needs. That’s why I always recommend getting a 1-on-1 consultation with a skincare professional to build a routine tailored to YOUR goals and concerns.
Your routine doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive—it just needs to work for you. Here’s to keeping it real, simple, and effective, no matter what decade you’re in!
xo,
Jamie