Best Skincare Products by Age Group

As we age, our skin undergoes changes. This means that the skincare products you used in your teens with hormonal breakouts, oiliness and congestion, may not work for your skin anymore as you approach your 20s, 30s and so on. Keeping your skin healthy, glowing and youthful at every stage of life requires age-appropriate skincare routines and targeted products. However, starting from your teens all the way through to your 50s, consistent sun protection, hydration and effective treatments are non-negotiables.

With skin needs evolving with age, adjusting your routine ensures you get the most out of your skincare and always put your best face forward, but knowing what skincare to use at what age can be confusing. Follow along for the best skincare by age to ensure you maintain healthy skin over the years to come.

Skincare For Teens

Skincare for teens means the simpler the better. In your teenage years, the body undergoes many hormonal changes which can ultimately impact skin health. Delicate and acne prone skin is common for teens which is why harsh chemicals and complicated skincare routines can do more harm than good. Start early with the basics to build a solid foundation for lifelong skin health. Ensure formulas are non-comedogenic and fragrance-free to prevent congestion and breakouts. Once the basics have been covered, you can incorporate ingredients that cater to specific skin types. Teens only need 3 skincare products to care for their skin:

• Cleanser: Teen skin requires a gentle face cleanser that is suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin. The best cleanser for teenage skin is the Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, a gel & foam cleanser that removes impurities while maintaining the skin’s natural moisture balance. Perfect for daily use, both morning and night - so no more cleansing with bar soaps that strip away too much moisture and leave the skin dry and/or producing too much oil.
• Moisturiser: Finding a moisturiser for teens can be tough, especially when navigating common concerns of oiliness and acne-prone skin. For those searching for skincare for acne & blemishes, the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) M Moisturiser works to visibly improve blemishes, blackheads and scarring. With ingredients such as Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide that gently exfoliate and hydrate the skin, results are delivered in as little as 8 hours. An effective treatment that is gentle enough for use twice daily. 
• SPF: Skincare sunscreen is a non-negotiable especially as teens typically spend more time outdoors exposed to UV rays. A non-comedogenic, shine-reducing formula is essential especially for acne-prone and oily skin. The Dermalogica Clear Start Clearing Defense SPF30 is an ultra-lightweight formula that provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB. Your skin is left feeling comfortable with no greasy residue unlike generic brands.

Skincare For 20s

As you approach your 20s, your skincare should focus on prevention. Focusing on protecting your skin and maintaining hydration is key. For your 20s, a skincare routine by age means that you are caring for your skin now so that you face fewer concerns down the track. 

• SPF: Applying SPF sunscreen daily is the first step to consider in your routine. Protecting your skin from the harmful UV rays is crucial to prevent accelerated skin-ageing as you get older. The Revision Intellishade TruPhysical SPF45 is a mineral tinted sunscreen free from chemicals to help correct, protect and conceal the skin. Easily worn under makeup, this skincare sunscreen delivers brighter, more hydrated skin in one step.
• Hydrating Serums: Keeping your skin hydrated promotes a healthy and strong skin barrier, reducing fragility and common skin concerns. The Aspect Hydrating Serum soothes dehydrated and sensitive skins with Niacinamide to improve the skin’s ability to retain and lock in moisture. 
• Antioxidants: Vitamin C serums are essential for your 20s to protect the skin and prevent further damage. The Murad Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum combines Vitamin C and Glycolic Acid to gently exfoliate skin cells for a more radiant complexion. Uneven skin tone and texture is banished, leaving you with skin that looks brighter and smoother.

Skincare For 30s

Your 30s are often when your skin starts showing its first signs of ageing such as fine lines, pigmentation or dullness. Focusing on hydration, collagen support, and wrinkle prevention is key to maintaining a youthful, radiant complexion. 

• Retinol: Incorporating Retinol & Vitamin A skincare into your routine will help the skin to proliferate and increase collagen production. However, as a beginner it is crucial to start low and slow. Low concentration formulas a few times a week is a great start to keep irritation at bay. The ASAP Super A+ Serum increases collagen and elastin production while brightening dull, tired, ageing skin, leaving it smooth and supple. A great preventative treatment to ensure a glowing complexion. 
• Anti-Ageing Serums: The best anti-ageing serums are enriched with Vitamin C to protect the skin from environmental aggressors that cause premature ageing. The SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is a top-selling antioxidant serum for aging skin as it brightens the skin, reinforces the skin barrier and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 
• Nourishing Moisturisers: Night creams become more important in your 30s as heavier moisturisers with antioxidants and nourishing ingredients will assist the skin in preventing premature ageing. The Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance is a great moisturiser to use at night time as the intensively nourishing actives encourage a strengthened skin barrier while preventing moisture loss. Your skin is left with instant relief from dry skin irritation. 

Check out our picks for the best anti-aging serums for 30s.

Skincare For 40s

As you approach your 40s, so do deeper fine lines and loss of skin elasticity. Ageing skin concerns become more pronounced, meaning more texture, discolouration and dryness. It’s time to start paying attention to all areas of your skin - especially the eyes. Anti-ageing serums and richer moisturisers can restore firmness, brighten the skin, and lock in moisture. Hydration and nourishment is essential in this stage to ensure the skin remains healthy and plump, which is why you should look for these key things for your routine:

• Peptides: Peptide skincare products boast many benefits for skin health such as promoting collagen production, increased skin firmness or improved skin texture. The Medik8 Liquid Peptides is an age-defying serum that significantly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. And if you’re still wondering why you should add peptides to your skincare routine, they not only provide anti-ageing benefits to the skin, but also even out skin tone, lock in hydration and strengthen the skin’s barrier - a true multi-tasking ingredient!
• Hyaluronic Acid: For long lasting hydration, Hyaluronic Acid Products are a must in your routine. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) is a multi-level hydration treatment that nourishes deep within the skin all the way to the surface. Visibly plump and dewy complexion results as this skincare product for dehydrated skin relieves parched and dry skin conditions.
• Vitamin C: A good quality Vitamin C serum will assist the skin in fighting oxidative stress and skin ageing before it develops further. The Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum combines ultra-stable Vitamin C with peptides and AHA for the ultimate skin renewal of brighter, firmer and more radiation skin. 
• Rich Moisturisers: The best moisturiser for mature skin ensures deep hydration and the promotion of a youthful and radiant complexion. The Dermalogica Phyto Nature Oxygen Cream firms and revitalises the skin with plant-based antioxidants and hydrating botanicals. By diminishing signs of ageing, the skin is left nourished, resilient and smooth. 

Discover the best anti-aging serums for 40s.

Skincare For 50s

Skincare products by age in your 50s means focusing on deeply nourishing products while targeting concerns of loss of skin elasticity. Dryness hits its peak during your 50s as hormonal changes of menopause kick in, which is why hydration is a crucial and non-negotiable step to any routine. Address dry skin and loss of elasticity concerns with: 

• Ceramides: Ceramides in skin care help to shield the skin from dehydration and protect against environmental aggressors. By preventing damage to the skin, Ceramides are essential in skincare for your 50s as they correct signs of dryness and skin damage before it appears. The FOREO SUPERCHARGED Serum Serum Serum 2.0 combines Ceramides, Amino Acids and many other skin-loving ingredients to visibly firm, renew and replenish the skin. 
• Hyaluronic Acid: To ensure hydration, Hyaluronic Acid is a must. The Medik8 Hydr8 B5 infuses the skin with intense, long-lasting moisture from the deepest layers of the skin right to the surface. The skin is left plump with fine lines and wrinkles softened.
• Anti-Ageing Serums: Retinol and Vitamin A will guarantee the best results in improving signs of ageing in the skin. The Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 contains a powerful derivative of Vitamin A, Retinal, which can deliver results up to 11 times faster than classic forms of Retinol. With hydrating and blemish-reducing properties, this anti-ageing serum visibly minimises fine lines overnight, leaving the skin smooth and clear. 

Find more of the best anti-aging serums for 50s that deliver visible improvements in ageing skin concerns.

Skincare For 60s+

The best skincare by age when you approach your 60s and above are hydrating moisturisers, serums and treatments for repairing sagging skin and pigmentation. Mature skin needs extra care as the skin becomes fragile, dry and dull, so focusing on consistent deep hydration, Retinol treatments and moisturising skin oils is essential here.

• Deeply Hydrating Moisturisers: Ensuring both day and night moisturisers are hydrating is key, however, incorporating an intensive night cream will work to restore a radiant complexion with consistent use. The SkinCeuticals Renew Overnight Dry is a skin-refining moisturiser that gently exfoliates, hydrates the skin and diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 
• Retinol Treatments: Using Retinol serums all the way through to your 60s and above will effectively improve signs of ageing in the skin. The Murad Retinal ReSculpt Overnight Treatment gently corrects premature ageing to visibly firm, lift and sculpt the skin. Specifically designed for mature skin, this anti-ageing treatment offers transformative results.
• Nourishing Oils: Skin oils that contain Jojoba Oil will ensure the skin is hydrated while improving signs of premature ageing. The Mukti Organics Antioxidant Facial Oil blends 15 superfood beauty oils, including Jojoba, into one for skin brightening, hydration and reducing fine lines. Easily absorbable into the skin, this certified organic formula reinforces the skin’s natural lipid barrier to prevent moisture loss. 

Browse the best skincare for 60s and beyond for products that bring back glow and comfort.