Written by: Hallie Bronson, licensed esthetician and Brand Partnership Manager at Shed

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Born between 1981 and 1996, millennials came of age during a time of unprecedented digital innovation and connectivity. Now they’re juggling careers and families, as well as bodies that aren’t quite like their younger selves—and all the joys and struggles that accompany a busy life.

Your skin is changing right along with you. If you haven’t updated your skincare routine since your 20s, it’s time for a refresh.

Why your skincare routine should evolve as you get older

As we age, cell turnover slows down, collagen production decreases, and the skin barrier becomes more vulnerable to dryness, stress, and environmental damage. So the skincare routine you mastered during your teens and 20s (or maybe didn’t pay much attention to) isn’t going to cut it in your 30s and 40s. Your skin is different now, with different needs.

Top skin concerns for millennials

Common skin issues millennials face tend to fall into three main categories:

• Early signs of aging. Crow’s feet. Fine lines. Bags under your eyes. It’s not just your imagination—these signs start to show up in varying degrees for most people in their 30s.
• Hyperpigmentation. Uneven skin tone can start to be an issue as well, which usually stems from unprotected sun exposure.
• Lifestyle impact. It may seem like just yesterday that you could pull all-nighters and live off of junk food without consequence, but this window of grace doesn’t last long. Before you know it, your magical bounceback abilities start to dwindle, and this affects the appearance of your skin as much as anything else.

Skin issues from your younger years, like acne, can continue in your 30s and 40s, but even if some things seem the same, your skin will need a different level of attention and care than it used to.

Best skincare routine for millennials

Your skincare routine doesn’t need to be complicated. If it’s been a while since you’ve taken stock of your skincare needs, use the following as a guide to make sure you’re checking off all the basics. 

Step 1: Cleanse

Every glow-up starts with a clean slate. Use a gentle cleanser morning and night to remove impurities, sweat, and excess oil, which can dull the skin.

Tip: An oil-based cleanser at night can effectively remove sunscreen, makeup, and excess sebum, respecting the skin barrier and helping the skin retain its natural glow.

Step 2: Exfoliate (optional)

Exfoliation helps gently lift away dead skin cells, pollutants, and buildup, leaving you with soft, smoother-looking skin. Leave the harsh, abrasive scrubs on the shelf and opt for gentle exfoliators, used once or twice a week.

Step 3: Treat anti-aging

If you’re concerned about fine lines, uneven skin tone, dryness, or even acne, apply a targeted serum after cleansing. Give your skin time to adjust to any new products you try—and avoid piling on product after product. 

Step 4: Moisturize

Both topical moisturizers and sufficient water intake are important for maintaining a healthy complexion. So in addition to drinking plenty of water, use a moisturizer day and night to help protect and hydrate your skin. Look for products with hyaluronic acid, squalane, and ceramides to keep the dryness away without clogging pores.

Step 5: Protect

Daily sunscreen is the no. 1 anti-aging move you can make. Dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles, loss of elasticity—all of these are exacerbated by sun exposure. So make applying SPF 30+ sunscreen a regular part of your morning routine, no matter what you have planned for the day. (If you’ll be outside a lot, reapply every few hours.)

Your routine probably won’t look like what your peers (or Instagram influencers) are doing, and that’s okay. Your skin is unique, and your routine should reflect you and your needs, not someone else’s.

Skincare ingredients millennials should know about

Unsure what ingredients you actually need in your skincare products? Use the list below as your cheat sheet when you’re studying product labels:

• Retinol—stimulates collagen, helps reduce appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, and helps treat hyperpigmentation
• Peptides—amino acids that stimulate new collagen production and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Hyaluronic acid (HA)—“miracle molecule” that holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water, helping to minimize wrinkles, keep skin hydrated, and keep skin plump and supple
• Ceramides—helps strengthen the skin barrier and locks in moisture
• Squalane—anti-inflammatory lipid that reduces redness and is highly hydrating
• Glycolic acid—exfoliates skin, as well as progressively diminishes the appearance of dark patches, by removing dead skin cells
• Vitamin C—potent antioxidant that stimulates collagen production and brightens skin
• Niacinamide—antioxidant that helps even skin tone and helps reduce redness
• Ginkgo biloba—antioxidant that can boost natural glow and help repair stressed, damaged skin

These ingredients are found in many skincare products, but you won’t need all of them. Focus on the ingredients that target your skin issues and that work well on your skin. 

How lifestyle affects your skin

While products get a lot of the attention when it comes to skin health, lifestyle matters too, especially as you get older. Your sleep, diet, and stress levels will show up on your skin in one form or another, so now might be a good time to assess your habits and reprioritize your health in some areas.

• Sleep: Sleeping less than 6 hours a night? This could be the reason for the puffiness around your eyes, dull complexion, and slower healing. 
• Stress: Chronic stress keeps your cortisol levels elevated, which can worsen acne and slow down skin healing.
• Diet: A well-balanced diet rich in whole foods and grains, antioxidants, fiber, and phytonutrients supports skin health. A diet high in ultra-processed foods does not. 
• Alcohol: Alcohol dehydrates skin and may worsen other skin issues.

Your skin reflects your habits. Taking good care of it helps reveal the real you. Keep an eye on Shed—more skin support will be coming your way soon!

Skincare for the long game

You may not be as young as you once were, but you’ve still got a lot of life ahead of you. Maintaining good skincare habits—and adjusting them as needed—is key to supporting youthful-looking skin and overall skin health.

Visit tryshed.com today to learn more.

Millennial skincare FAQs

Is it normal to have breakouts in your 30s and 40s?

Yes. Acne is a common skin condition that affects people of all ages, even if they didn’t have breakouts as a teenager. Hormonal shifts, stress, and other lifestyle factors can all affect acne, which isn’t limited to people under age 30.

How do I treat both acne and fine lines at the same time?

This is a balancing act that many have struggled with and may require some trial and error. A good rule of thumb is to treat the acne first. Once the acne is under control, alternate acne treatment with a lightweight treatment that targets fine lines and wrinkles. If acne breaks out again, scale back on the anti-aging treatment and focus on the acne until it clears up.

Should I use different products in the morning and at night?

Yes. Morning routines should focus on protection (like antioxidants and sunscreen), while nighttime routines should prioritize repair and hydration (like a richer moisturizer). 

What’s the best anti-aging product to start with?

Retinoids are often considered the gold standard, as they target wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. They also stimulate collagen production and help increase cell turnover.

What if I’m not a millennial? Do these tips still apply?

A simple cleanse, moisturize, and protect routine applies to people of all ages. However, the types of products you use—especially the targeted treatments—will change as you age and your skin changes. Check out this post on skincare tips for Gen Z and Gen X. 

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*This content is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.