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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Cal Lutheran chapter.

It gets confusing. It seems like everywhere you look recently there are people telling you to use this product, use this ingredient, and asking how you didn’t know that you should be using this in your skincare routine. The truth is, it really doesn’t need to be confusing. Your skin needs different care at different stages of your life, keep reading to find a simplified list about skin care in your 20s!

  • Cleanser
    • It is important that you find a gentle cleanser that suits your skin. I personally like to use an unscented, gentle cleanser that is not harsh on my skin. It is also important to double cleanse at night to remove any makeup, SPF, and pollution from the day. I prefer to use an unscented oil cleanser but products such as cleansing balms work well too.
  • Exfoliation
    • You should not be exfoliating every day as it is too harsh on your skin. Instead of exfoliating with a chemical (not physical) exfoliator, 1 or 2 times a week is optimal. There are different ingredients that you can use for exfoliation such as salicylic, lactic, mandelic, and glycolic acid. Each of these ingredients offers different benefits and some are harsher than others so make sure to do research to see which one is right for you!
  • Vitamin C
    • Vitamin C is an important ingredient to start using in your 20s. Vitamin C is an antioxidant which means that it helps to protect your skin from factors such as pollution, and stress, and helps to keep collagen and elastin present, not to mention the glow that it provides! Just make sure not to use your vitamin C serum at the same time as you exfoliate as this can make your skin too sensitive.
  • Moisturizer
    • Moisturizer is crucial to use at any age, especially in dry climates. The type of moisturizer that is best for you will depend on your skin type, other products you are using, and your environment. I prefer to use an unscented moisturizer as I have sensitive skin, and I normally opt for a lotion over a heavy cream.
  • SPF
    • Everyone should be using SPF every day, no matter where they live, and no matter if they are not spending a lot of time outside. SPF is the most important part of the skincare routine and there are so many options and formulas available for you to find your favorite! 
Medicine cabinet packed full of skincare products
Megan Charles / Her Campus Media

Skincare in your 20s does not need to be complex or fancy. Using these 5 skincare products is perfectly sufficient to look after your skin and make it glow. You don’t always need 20-step routines as you see on TikTok – simple can be good!

Beth Baker

Cal Lutheran '23

I am a senior studying Psychology with a minor in Business Administration. I am interested in fashion, beauty and makeup.