Industry experts share skincare tips they wish they knew in their 20s

Like most of us, industry experts are equally remorseful for putting their skin through multiple products in their early days. They share a few skincare tips so that you don’t play havoc with your skin

From slapping walnut face scrubs to picking our pimples, rubbing lemon slices on our elbows and knees to skimping on sunscreen, most of us have recklessly indulged in quick hacks or have fallen for skincare ‘secrets’ without being fully aware of their repercussions. Surprisingly, experts from the beauty industry have also regretted certain practices they (or someone they knew) followed, ones that did not go down well with their skin. To save your skin from that agony, these experts, including dermatologists, make-up artists and Ayurveda specialists, share that one tip they wish they knew during their late teens and 20s. 

"​​By 25, your body will start degrading more collagen than it makes and will lose approximately 1 per cent of collagen every year. So instead of buying into every skincare active trend, people in their 20s should follow a minimal and simple skincare routine with essential ingredients like vitamin C and bakuchiol. Bakuchiol is an excellent, natural ingredient that helps boost collagen while reducing acne in a non-irritating way. Another thing to note is that just using sunblock is not enough, you need to complement it with an antioxidant like vitamin C.”

- Dr Kiran Sethi, founder, Isya Aesthetics and author, Skin Sense

“I wish I knew the potency and effect of skincare ingredients penetrating deep into the skin, beyond the skin’s surface, into the bloodstream, in my 20s. The Dalton (by John Dalton, an English chemist) rule claims that ingredients of a certain molecular weight will not penetrate into the skin. However, Ayurveda states that certain oils can penetrate all the way down to your seventh dhatu (seven tissues of the body). I wish I knew that and I was more careful about the ingredients I chose and was putting on my skin.”

- Kavita Khosa, founder, Purearth and author, Beauty Unbottled: Timeless Ayurvedic Rituals & Recipes

“Pick a gel-based, lightweight, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30-50, according to your skin type. Follow the ‘two-finger rule’, which means applying two lines of sunscreen directly onto your index and middle fingers first, starting from the base of the fingers connecting to the palm, until the very tips. Reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours if you spend much of your time outdoors; if not, once a day is enough. This is non-negotiable on a daily basis. In their late 20s, people are vulnerable to premature ageing or ‘photoageing,’ proven to be more common among those who skipped sunscreen in their 20s. Apart from premature ageing of the skin, sunscreen also helps prevent sunburn, pigment changes, freckles, liver spots, age spots and skin cancer.”

- Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta, celebrity dermatologist and founder, ISAAC Luxe

“I wish I knew not to steam my face, and keep away from clean-ups and extractions that involve a lot of using of hands. Instead, you can opt for in-office skin treatments. The best way to deal with your skin is to consult a dermatologist first and understand what may or may not work for your skin. Remember, do not steam or poke your skin.”

- Mehak Oberoi, celebrity make-up artist 

“Sleep is more important for your skin than you think, and this does not include the sleep you catch up on during late nights or late mornings. Between 10 pm and 2 am, your body goes into repair mode, when you’re fast asleep, and hence timely sleep is crucial. While you’re sleeping, your skin cleanses out debris and builds new cells, keeping your skin supple and hydrated naturally. I really wish I knew this in my 20s.”

- Nidhi Pandya Bhanushali, New York-based Ayurvedic doctor

“Always apply sunscreen! People forget to do so even if they aren’t going outdoors–that is a misconception. I always use sunscreen before and after my workout sessions. Post your workout, make sure you clean your face properly and then reapply sunscreen. Additionally, your wellness routine will always show on your skin. How you eat and move on a daily basis has a huge role to play in what your skin will look like. Workouts and inside-out hydration are significant influencers. Our body is a full circle, everything works in tandem–the outside and the inside.”

- Anshuka Parwani, celebrity yoga & holistic wellness expert and founder, Anshuka Yoga

“I wish I was aware of the importance of sunscreen; I’ve only started using it recently. Additionally, one must add an active-infused serum to their skincare routine, whether it’s niacinamide, hyaluronic acid or vitamin C (based on your skin type and its needs). Previously, I would just take off my make-up and moisturise my skin, not really caring much about the ‘treatment’ step that basically called for a serum. You could also consider using separate moisturisers for your AM and PM routines so that the respective needs of your skin (for that time of the day) are met. Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of regular facials–they can be game-changing.”

- Marianna Mukuchyan, celebrity make-up artist 

“I would tell my young self to moisturise my entire body every day, or better still, use a light oil like that of jojoba or avocado. When I was young, my pubertal growth spurt gave me stretch marks on my butt, which don’t essentially bother me, but now since I know how easy they are to prevent, I wish I had known sooner. Daily moisturising or oil application can do wonders in increasing the skin’s elasticity, which I realised only when I was pregnant. For all of the nine months of my pregnancy, I applied avocado oil on my entire body, daily. I gained and lost about 30 pounds and my waist went from 26 inches to 39 inches and back over the two years. But this time around, I didn’t get a single new stretch mark!”

- Dr Niketa Sonavane, celebrity dermatologist and founder, Ambrosia Aesthetics

“A big mistake I made in my 20s was trying to figure out my skin type on my own which led me to buy the wrong skincare products, resulting in breakouts and a lot of dryness. I strongly suggest that one must visit a dermatologist who will assess your skin in person and then pen down a skincare routine with products prescribed specifically for your skin type so that you dodge a slew of concerns that could arise from using the wrong products. Just like any other organ, skin, the largest one, also deserves professional attention so that you become wary of vitamin (and other nutritional) deficiencies too, alongside your skincare routine.”

- Tanvi Marathe, celebrity make-up artist and content creator 

Also Read: Could the best skin exfoliators be found in fruits?

Also Read: Kasturi manjal is perhaps Ayurveda’s best-kept secret for good skin

Also Read: Easy hacks to prevent hungover skin after a night of excessive drinking