It’s never too early to start thinking about an anti-aging skincare routine. The earlier you start, the more you can reduce early signs of aging. Plus, even in your 20s, it’s good to start building the right habits that will help your skin age beautifully.

Here are some steps you can take:

Get rid of drying cleansers

No more acne wash, no more overly drying cleansers—opt for something gentler. Try a milk jelly cleanser, an oil, something creamy that won’t irritate your skin, but will do its job in removing grime.

GLOSSIER MILK JELLY CLEANSER

OLIVE + M CLEANSING OIL

TATCHA CAMELLIA CLEANSING OIL

Add an eye cream to your routine

The delicate area around our eyes is often the first to show age, so it’s never too early to use an eye cream. Plus the right product will not only hydrate, it will make makeup application much smoother.

SK-II R.N.A. EYE CREAM

CAUDALIE PREMIER CRU EYE SERUM

FRESH BLACK TEA AGE DELAY EYE CONCENTRATE

KIEHL’S SINCE 1851 CREAMY EYE TREATMENT WITH AVOCADO

DRUNK ELEPHANT SHABA COMPLEX EYE SERUM

DRUNK ELEPHANT C TANGO MULTIVITAMIN EYE CREAM

Upgrade your serum

A good serum is worth the investment, so look for a good one that will target any skin issues you are battling. Serums are your routine’s workhorses—the products that have the most active ingredients—so don’t skimp here. Read all about serums here.

SKINCEUTICALS C E FERULIC

DRUNK ELEPHANT C FIRMA DAY SERUM

CAUDALIE VINOPERFECT RADIANCE SERUM

CAUDALIE PREMIER CRU

LA MER THE CONCENTRATE

Get to know antioxidants

Antioxidants help correct signs of age as well as help repair skin itself. Antioxidants can stimulate collagen production, brighten skin tone and reduce inflammation.

Some of the best antioxidants for your skin include:

• Vitamin C – brightens, diminishes fine lines, wrinkles and evens skin tone
• Vitamin A (retinol) – stimulates collagen production & accelerates cell renewal and repair (best for anti-aging)
• Vitamin E – Defends and protects skin from outside stressors
• Reservatrol – skin calming, protects skin from pollution, infection, UV rays
• Polyphenols – green tea, for example, is full of polyphenols great for soothing, ideal for those with rosacea, psoriasis & sensitive skin.

More than anything, especially if you’re in your 30s, you should be using retinol. It’s the most powerful antioxidant to combat aging. Retinol can be a part of your moisturizer, or you can use it separately as an individual product before your moisturizer (like The Ordinary option below). If you have sensitive skin and/or if Retinol is too harsh for you, you can also try prdoucts with bakuchiol, which is a plant-based alternative to Retinol that has recently exploded in popularity.

THE ORDINARY GRANACTIVE RETINOID IN SQUALANE

SKINCEUTICALS C E FERULIC

DRUNK ELEPHANT C FIRMA SERUM

TATCHA SILK CREAM

CAUDALIE RESERVATROL LIFT NIGHT INFUSION CREAM

CAUDALIE PREMIER CRU RICH CREAM

NEUTROGENA DEEP WRINKLE NIGHT MOISTURIZER (with retinol)

SKINCEUTICALS RETINOL 0.5 NIGHT CREAM (just ordered this)

Time to get a nighttime moisturizer

No more using one moisturizer for day and night, if you’re really serious about reducing early signs of aging, pick up a cream that will work harder for you while you sleep… it’s the best time for products to do their magic.

LA MER CRÈME DE LA MER (it really is the best)

CAUDALIE RESERVATROL LIFT NIGHT INFUSION CREAM

CAUDALIE PREMIER CRU RICH CREAM

SHISEIDO BENEFIANCE WRINKLERESIST24 NIGHT CREAM

No skipping on the SPF, ever

Daily sun protection is one of the most important things you can do to prevent signs of aging. Use an SPF of 15 or higher. Sunscreen should be the final step in your day skincare routine, after your moisturizer (reference skincare order).

TATCHA SILKEN PORE PERFECTING SUNSCREEN