Out of all the things we twenty-somethings take for granted, our youthful, supple skin is probably right at the top. Throwing caution to the wind, too often, we forget to care about the fact that one day, we're going to see the signs of ageing on our skin — and if we're not careful, that one day will come sooner than we anticipated. Our environment and the poor lifestyle choices we make in our twenties can cause our skin to age prematurely. We’re talking wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots and whatnot.
Thankfully, we can take some preventative actions in our mid-twenties to keep our skin looking youthful for longer. Ahead, we're letting you in on how to build an anti-ageing skincare regimen by the time you turn 25, so you can brag about having youthful-looking skin for longer. Thank us later!
- Step 1: Use a moisturising face wash
- Step 2: Exfoliate!
- Step 3: Turn to Vitamin C serums
- Step 4: Add retinol to your PM routine
- Step 5: Use sunscreen
Step 1: Use a moisturising face wash

Use a hydrating, gentle face wash, not something that strips all the essential oil from your skin! And don't opt for face washes that make your skin feel squeaky clean either, since those will dry out your skin further. Lack of hydration can make your skin age faster, and we're here to shut it down. Make the switch already!
BB Picks: Dermalogica Precleanse
Step 2: Exfoliate!

If you want your collagen renewal to stick to a schedule, exfoliate daily! It doesn't matter if you're one for chemical exfoliation or if you have a penchant for face scrubs — exfoliation will help revive dull skin, remove dirt and impurities, and boost cell renewal. This means younger looking skin when you turn older!
BB Picks: St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub
Step 3: Turn to Vitamin C serums

Ah, Vitamin C. An all-around fantastic ingredient that basically solves all skincare woes. And incorporating it into your skincare routine when you turn 25 (or before, too) helps prevent premature skin ageing, too. A powerful antioxidant, Vitamin C, neutralises free radical damage that causes oxidative stress to the skin and leads to premature ageing. Plus, it's a collagen booster and delays signs of ageing by supporting skin structure and promoting elasticity. What more do you need?
BB Picks: Lakmé 9 to 5 Vitamin C+ Face Serum
Step 4: Add retinol to your PM routine

We've all heard stories of 'the purge' when it comes to retinol, but trust us — the ingredient is your friend, especially when it comes to anti-ageing. By boosting collagen and neutralising free radicals in the skin that may be causing collagen damage, retinol reduces fine lines and wrinkles like no other ingredient out there! Plus, if you want almost airbrushed skin that's smooth, too, retinol will take care of it. Use a retinol-based moisturiser at night, and make sure you don't mix it with the Vitamin C serum since the two don't gel well together. This might sound a little tedious, but it'll be worth it when people suspect you have the roadmap to the fountain of youth years later.
BB Picks: Ponds Age Miracle Wrinkle Corrector Night Cream
Step 5: Use sunscreen

For the millionth time, if you want youthful-looking skin when you're older, do not skip sunscreen! Regardless of what age you are, sunscreen helps prevent premature ageing — and you should be using it! Exposure to UV light speeds up the natural ageing process of your skin, and we don't want that, do we? Do your skin a favour, and incorporate sunscreen into your regimen already. For best results, use it after your Vitamin C serum during the day, and get ready to flaunt gorgeous skin as long as possible.
BB picks: Lakmé Sun Expert SPF 50 PA+++ Ultra Matte Lotion Sunscreen
Written by Nishtha Bhalla on Aug 13, 2021
Nishtha is a freelance writer who loves all things beauty, fashion, culture, and lifestyle. With content covering a variety of topics, she brings a holistic, nuanced perspective to her writing. In her free time, she can be found watching reruns of The Office, reading anything she can get her hands on, and experimenting with astrology.