I think that most people will agree with me that when you look good you feel good and you do good. In my case I’ve devoted my career to helping patients love the skin they’re in. I believe the ideal way to accomplish this goal is with a combination of at-home skincare and office-based aesthetic procedures, as the two work hand-in-hand to rejuvenate the skin and keep it functioning optimally.

However, everyone’s skin is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to preventing and improving visible signs of aging. Although I always prefer creating a customized ongoing treatment plan through regular one-on-one visits, I do have some general suggestions for anti-aging or as I like to call it “youthful-aging” steps you may want to take in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond. So, let’s dive in!

The 20s
At this age, you might not even be thinking about an anti-aging approach for your plump, smooth and line-free skin. But remember, it’s easier to maintain a fresh, youthful-looking complexion than it is to correct visible signs of aging, which is why you can get a leg up by starting early.

Skincare-wise, your 20s are the ideal time to incorporate vitamin C and retinol into your routine. And if you’re not already using sunscreen daily, this is the number-one way to prevent visible skin aging.

What I Recommend:
Vitamin C, these are some of the gentler versions of stabilized vitamin C products

• Sunday Riley CEO 15% Vit C Brightening Serum
• Paula’s Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer
• The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% 

I like to recommend for younger skin Retinol:

• Youth To The People Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum
• Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum
• No7 Pure Retinol 0.3% Night Concentrate

Sunscreen:

• EltaMD UV Daily Broad Spectrum SPF 40 Untinted
• TIZO2 Fusion Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40 Non Tinted
• SuperGoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40

In terms of aesthetic procedures, did you know twice-yearly Botox® or Dysport® injections can help prevent wrinkles from becoming etched into the skin? If you see lines between your eyebrows or across your forehead when you make certain facial expressions now, these treatments can stop them from becoming visible when your face is at rest later. 

A downtime-free microdermabrasion treatment or Hydrafacial every few months can keep your skin’s youthful radiance at its peak, while microneedling can help improve the appearance of acne scars and enhance your natural glow.

The 30s 

In addition to my suggestions for patients in their 20s, I suggest working hyaluronic acid and peptides into your daily skincare regimen to maximize moisture and combat the natural skin-aging process. 

What I Recommend:

Hyaluronic acid:

• Paula’s Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster
• SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 gel
• La-Roche Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Peptides: 

• The Ordinary Multi-peptide + HA serum “Buffet”
• Drunk Elephant Protini Powerpeptide Resurfacing Serum

Many of my 30-something patients also benefit from increasing the frequency of neurotoxin injections to three or four times a year. Since this is the decade that unwanted pigment usually starts to make its presence known, light laser-based treatments like Sciton’s Moxi®, BBL (broad-band light) or Clear + Brilliant® (in addition to microneedling) are quick, easy ways to keep your skin’s tone and youthful appearance on track.

The 40s 

My suggestions for the 20s and 30s apply to the 40s as well, but this is the time I often like to kick it up a notch in the office. Dermal fillers are a great way to improve any volume loss in the mid-face or around the mouth that’s contributing to deeper lines and the appearance of sagging skin. Now’s also the time to focus on building collagen and skin tightening with treatments such as Ultherapy® or SofWave or a combination of radiofrequency and microneedling with Morpheus8 or Profound®. 

What I Recommend:

Hyaluronic acid: 

• Skinceuticals H.A. Intensifier
• Alastin HA Immerse Serum
• LaRoche Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid serum

Peptides:

• Skinmedica TNS Advanced+ serum
• Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster

The 50s and beyond 

Hormonal changes can lead to drier skin and collagen loss, which makes vitamin C, retinoids and peptide-infused moisturizers essential at this stage. 

What I Recommend:

Vitamin C:

• Skinceuticals CE Ferulic
• Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster
• Sunday Riley CEO 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum

Retinoid:

• ROC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum
• The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalene
• A313 Vitamin A Pommade

Moisturizer with peptides: 

• Skinceuticals Triple lipid Restore 2:4:2
• Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream
• Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Face Moisturizer

Mature skin requires a comprehensive anti-aging approach, which is why I often recommend a combination of aesthetic procedures, such as Fraxel® or Halo® treatments plus IPL or BBL to address surface texture and discoloration while promoting collagen production deeper within the skin. Of course, dermal fillers to improve visible volume loss are key as well. It’s also worth exploring hormone replacement therapy if you’re a candidate, as it can help improve menopause symptoms along with age-related skin changes.  

Remember, your beauty transcends the number on your driver’s license, but if you want to look your best at any age the right combination of at-home skincare and office-based professional treatments for your unique skin can be a game changer.