5 Skincare Products You Should Start Using While You’re Young

When it comes to skincare, a lot of us think about it as something that's only necessary when we're older.

After all, many of these products list benefits like "anti-aging" on them, making it seem like you don't need to worry about investing in them until things like wrinkles are on your mind. If this sounds like the way you look at the products you purchase, it's time for a skincare reset. Rethinking your skincare routine can help you not only improve the quality of your skin now, but also help prevent damage that leads to premature aging and potentially a lot worse.

However, you don't necessarily need to waste your time and money on every skincare product under the sun while you're young, so let's jump into the ones that are actually worth including in your regular routine.

1. Moisturizer

If your version of skincare has (until this point) looked more like splashing your face with water in the morning and maybe using a makeup wipe to scrub off your mascara before bed, it's time to level up. You don't need to spend a fortune on fancy formulas or spend an hour every morning and night applying a plethora of products a la Cassie from Euphoria, but incorporating a couple of basic items into your routine can make a world of difference. A good place to start is moisturizer, as it helps protect and—naturally—moisturize your skin to keep it soft and nourished.

 

 

2. Sunscreen

Perhaps the most important item on this list of skincare products you should start using when you're young is sunscreen. In fact, a lot of the irreversible damage that's done to your skin happens when you're young, making this even more dire. It doesn't have to be sticky or smelly or block your pores, either, as plenty of sunscreens exist nowadays that are specially formulated to be worn on your face (and body) every single day, even underneath makeup. Improving your skin now and preventing a long list of problems—from wrinkles to skin cancer—for the future? Now that's a product that's well worth the investment.

 

Also read about: A Beginner's Guide to Skincare for Girls

 

3. Vitamin C

Vitamin C isn't just something you should be including in your diet anymore, as it's very much worthy of being added to your daily skincare routine as well. However, you won't get enough from just eating an orange with your lunch—you need to put it on your skin as well. That's where vitamin C serums come into play, providing brightening and spot-reducing benefits at an affordable cost.

 

 

4. Retinol

Retinol might be something you're more used to seeing in your mom's bathroom cabinet, but that doesn't mean it isn't worthy of a spot in your own. While one of retinol's main benefits is wrinkle reduction and prevention, its ability to promote skin cell turnover means it's also great for reducing acne and improving the overall texture of your skin.

 

Also read about: 7 of the Best Gentle Exfoliators for Sensitive Skin

 

5. Chemical Exfoliants

We included the word "chemical" here because, unfortunately, it can be all too easy to fall for the trap of fun-smelling scrubs that you find in the same aisle as your favorite face wash. However, these products can actually do a whole lot more harm than good. Instead of a harsh scrub, go for a chemical exfoliant—such as an acid. These products are designed to do what their scrub counterparts can't, all without the damage to the layers of your skin. Some are designed to wear overnight while others are meant to be worn as masks, so you'll want to pay close attention to the directions on these products to reap their skin-softening and texture-improving benefits.

 

 

 

In conclusion, yes, you need to have a solid skincare routine even when you're young. For best results, do some product research and don't just fall for whatever some TikTok "doctor" is saying on your feed—there are no magic products that will fix all your problems. There are, however, products that can lead to better skin for right now and for decades into the future. Oh, and by the way, there are certain skincare products you should use for each season, too. And now that it's fall, click HERE for our list of the ones you need.