This Is the Age You Should Start Anti-Aging Skincare

It used to seem like it was never too early to start an anti-aging skincare routine—until the Sephora tweens came around. Now we understand that using harsh ingredients on delicate young skin is a big mistake, but starting anti-aging products at an appropriate age can not only improve the appearance of skin, but its long-term health as well.

“The focus has shifted from fighting signs of aging later in life to prevention and preservation,” says Kiran Mian, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery. “We start losing collagen in our mid 20s and start seeing manifestations of intrinsic and extrinsic factors in our 30s. There isn't a magic number as to when anti-aging skincare should begin. I like to see it more as tailoring your skincare routine according to your stage of life.”

So, when should you start using anti-aging skincare? “Honestly, earlier than people think,” says Divya Shokeen, M.D., F.A.A.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of OSVI Dermatology & Surgical Institute. “I tell my 20-something patients that vitamin C and SPF are already anti-aging skincare, they just don't feel like it yet. When to add stronger actives like retinoids is more personal, and comes down to genetics, sun history, and skin type. There's no single start date for actives; it is simply prevention: now.”

Dermatologists and experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty & Personal Care Lab break down how anti-aging skincare helps at every age.

“The hallmarks of skin aging are fine lines and wrinkles, loss of elasticity, uneven tone, increased dryness, and rougher texture,” says GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler. But how skin ages also depends on your genes, lifestyle, and environment, meaning it’s different for everyone. However, what’s universal is we start to lose about 1% of our collagen a year in our mid-20s.

“Skin aging happens gradually and is influenced by both the natural aging process along with everything our skin is exposed to over the years,” says Dr. Mian. She explains that collagen and elastin give our skin resilience and firmness—essentially the ability to snap back—while subcutaneous fat provides skin plumpness and volume and bone structure is the foundation on which everything is perched upright. “We start losing collagen in our mid 20s, contributing to fine lines, wrinkles, and enlarged pores. Our subcutaneous fat pads start to shrink and migrate downward, leading to folds, hollowness, and sagging, and our bones resorb, blurring facial contours. Our skin cells' turnover rate slows down, leading to texture, dullness, and loss of luster. Brown spots and redness start to become more obvious from chronic UV and oxidative damage leading to loss of skin clarity,” Dr. Mian says. Not to mention that there are other factors, such as smoking, inadequate sleep, or a poor diet that can accelerate these changes.

Waiting for lines to show up to start treating them is a thing of the past. Now the best tactic is preventing them from forming in the first place. “People are seeing what 15 to 20 years of consistent sunscreen actually looks like, often on social media, and the difference is hard to unsee,” Dr. Shokeen says. “There's also a bigger cultural shift toward maintenance over correction, the same thing that's happened with fitness. Again, prevention is cheaper than treatment.”

It’s important to remember that a plan doesn’t have to be elaborate or complicated—it just needs to be optimized according to what your skin needs at each stage of life. “By anticipating changes our skin will go through at every age, we can prioritize certain aspects of skin health,” Dr. Mian says. “Gradually introducing a retinoid into your routine in your 20s is a good idea to maintain collagen production. As we enter our 30s and 40s, we start to see the effects of cumulative sun exposure or environmental damage, making an antioxidant serum an important addition to the routine. In our 40s and 50s, our skin does not hold onto moisture as well, so a focus on humectants and barrier-strengthening ingredients can help maintain plumpness and radiance.”

One principle applies to virtually everyone: Daily sun protection is the most important anti-aging step. “People don't realize just how much effect the sun and UV exposure have on the manifestations of aging, and that those effects are from cumulative dose throughout your life,” Dr. Mian says. “Those in their 40s will swear they wear sunscreen every day, but don't realize it’s the sun baking in their 20s that is now catching up to them. Another common mistake is not realizing that protection from sunscreen only lasts about 90 minutes, and that sunscreen alone is not going to give you 100% protection.” She recommends supplementing sunscreen with some sort of physical protection, like with a parasol or wide-brimmed hat if the UV index is high.

Experts explain how to adjust your routine at every stage in life for healthy, younger-looking skin:

20s

“Just using daily sunscreen in your 20s is great, unless you have other signs of aging like fine lines and dark spots that you want to address,” Butler says. “In that case you can use products with ingredients like retinoids, which also help with acne, or products that improve dark spots like those with niacinamide, vitamin C, or alpha hydroxy acids.”

Wearing sunscreen religiously now will pay off later. “This is the decade where we are living carefree as we are not seeing consequences yet, but it’s the cumulative UV exposure that leads to skin changes later on,” Dr. Mian notes.

30s

“This is usually when I bring in a retinoid,” Dr. Shokeen says. “Keep the vitamin C and SPF going. If your skin gets reactive while you adjust, a copper peptide moisturizer helps you stay comfortable without backing off the retinoid.”

Adding an antioxidant serum to your retinoid will be beneficial in preventing oxidative damage, formation of sunspots, and keeping skin bright and even toned, according to Dr. Mian.

40s

“This is when collagen loss and changes in pigmentation and texture often become more noticeable,” Dr. Mian says. “Continue sunscreen, an antioxidant, and retinoid, and add peptides and gentle exfoliating acids to help support firmness, brightness, and smooth texture. I really like a moisturizer with peptides and an exfoliating toner.”

50s

“Perimenopause and menopause speed up collagen loss and thin the barrier fast, so copper peptide moisturizer earns a permanent spot,” Dr. Shokeen says. “Keep the retinoid, but it's fine to dial back to a few nights a week if skin gets dry, and consistency at a lower dose beats daily use you can't sustain.” She also adds in a topical estrogen for some patients.

As estrogen levels decline, Dr. Mian cautions that skin can become noticeably drier, thinner, and less resilient, so look for richer moisturizers with ceramides and other barrier-supportive lipids. “Make sure to continue a gentle exfoliating acid, as this is where I see milia formation—rich moisturizer uses without proper exfoliation,” she says.

60s

“Skin gets thinner and slower to repair, so richer, barrier-first products take priority,” Dr. Shokeen says. Opt for “thicker moisturizer, morning and night. I usually keep patients on some retinoid that they can tolerate, and vitamin C and tinted SPF don't go anywhere.”

As hydration and barrier support become increasingly important, Dr. Mian suggests gentle cleansers, rich moisturizers with ceramides and glycerin, good peptide and antioxidant serums, retinoid, and sunscreen.

70s+

“At this stage, I prioritize keeping the skin healthy, comfortable, and protected,” Dr. Mian says. “Focus on gentle cleansing, gentle exfoliation, deeply moisturizing formulas with emollients, and daily sunscreen. Harsh actives risk compromising the skin barrier, but gentle exfoliation can help keep skin looking smooth.” Steer clear of aggressive chemical exfoliants and high-strength retinoids.