Skin Changes in Stages: From Baby to Adult

Does a child need a skincare routine? When should a teen begin using acne products? At what age is an anti-aging product necessary? Our guide on skin changes for everyone from baby to baby boomer gives you these answers and more!

Baby skin

Skincare starts at day one. A baby’s skin is naturally more sensitive to environmental factors like sun damage and dehydration. Plus, skin irritations or product reactions are common. So knowing how to treat an infant’s fragile, delicate skin is key. Caring for a baby’s skin requires developing a gentle, simple routine, and reading labels to avoid harmful ingredients lurking in shampoos, cleansers and lotions.

Childhood

Kids’ skin can be sensitive, too, making it tougher to find the right products. With so much time spent outside in the dirt and mud, kids need a non-irritating cleanser that removes all traces of dirt and grime. Bruises, bug bites and rashes are also common during childhood. Don’t forget to take them into account when learning to care for a child’s skin.

The “in-between” phase

“Tweens—kids between eight and 12 years old—differ drastically in their skin concerns. Some tweens don’t experience any changes, while other tweens start to notice more adult-like skin problems, such as acne, flakiness or irritation. It’s important to help your tween design a routine that’s simple and gentle enough to maintain every day.

Teens

Let’s face it — your teen may be more concerned about experimenting with makeup than creating a daily skincare regimen. But even if she (or he) has clear skin, the teenage years are the perfect time to customize a skincare routine and foster healthy skincare habits like applying sunscreen. Teens can skip complicated “adult” products like serums, eye creams and anti-aging products. Most teens do great with a basic daily regimen.

Teen acne

This is probably the biggest concern teens have about their skin. If your teen is suffering from oily skin and acne, help him or her choose lightweight, oil-free products that will combat acne without over-drying. Find out how to create a specific acne-fighting regimen here.

College

The college years can be a tricky time for skincare. Most young adults are so preoccupied with studying and socializing that skincare typically takes a backseat. Find out how to work skincare into your busy schedule by using double-duty products and money-saving formulas. Here’s more on designing a skincare regimen just for the college years.

20s

For 20-somethings, for the most part, skincare is a breeze. Most don’t need anti-aging products quite yet, so the key to great skin in the 20s is protecting it from damage that can result in wrinkles, uneven skin and dryness later on. Banish bad habits and build your ideal routine in just a few simple steps.

Adult acne

Unfortunately, acne can still persist well into the 20s. In fact, acne affects about 50 percent of women and 25 percent of men. Learn some specific tips for fighting adult acne here.

30s

The trick to radiant, healthy skin in your 30s is to build upon good habits, and add a few powerful anti-aging formulas to address fine lines. Retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids and vitamin C can effectively treat the skin, targeting fine lines and other telltale signs of aging like sun damage and roughness. Serums, high-performance moisturizers and eye creams are all great additions to a skincare regimen in the 30s.

40s

Frustrated by dull, flaky, wrinkled skin? The 40s are the perfect time for a skincare overhaul. Some women notice that their skin type begins to change in the 40s, often becoming more prone to dryness and dehydration. Take a closer look at your skin and consider what you’d like your products to do. You might also consider in-office treatments to boost your skin. Get the details on both products and procedures here.

50s

Skincare in your 50s can be frustrating as wrinkles deepen and the skin becomes noticeably thinner and less resilient. But having healthy, happy skin is possible when you take good care of it with a consistent routine and potent anti-aging formulas. Options such as minimally invasive procedures, injectables and traditional cosmetic surgery are also available. Read more here.

Your skin experiences many changes throughout different stages in your life. So don’t be surprised if you’re frequently adjusting your routine to keep up with skin’s natural fluctuations. Also, keep in mind that individuals differ markedly in how their skin acts. In other words, there’s no “right” way to care for your skin at any given age. When creating your routine, keep the above in mind as guidelines. And be sure to listen to your skin and evaluate it regularly. If you’re still stumped on how to approach your skincare, consider visiting a dermatologist, who can help you create a custom routine.