Growing up my Mom was always really good about teaching me how to take care of my skin. I remember in junior high her taking me to the mall and getting me my first skin care routine. More importantly, she showed me by example.
Then when I was 17 years old my brother got engaged. Shortly after his engagement, his future Mother in law came over for a girls spa day at the house so we could all spend time together and really get to know each other. We all instantly fell in love with her! She is such an incredible woman and a very talented esthetician. She gave us all facials and she sat me down and gave me tons of skin care advice. Maybe it was the fact that she is a skin care professional or maybe that she isn’t my own mother, but I took her words and advice like it is the Bible. (side note: when you are a teenager listen to your Mom. She really does know what she is talking about!)
That day was fuel to my already love for skin care, and it has since been a strong passion of mine. Thank you so much Diana Fountain for spending the time to teach me so much!
So what did my Mom and Diana teach me? This is what I am going to share with you today. I have been so blessed to have women in my life to teach me about skin care at a very young age. And I can tell you it makes a huge difference! I want to pass on all my knowledge and wisdom to you :) Prevention really is the best, the easiest and the cheapest!
- Wash your face every morning and night.
- Never go to bed with makeup on your face.
- Always moisturize after washing your face.
- Exfoliate at least once a week.
- Start using an eye cream by age 20.
- Use your ring fingers when applying eye cream, gently apply by pressing it in, never drag or pull.
- The skin in the under eye is the thinnest of the whole body, be gentle!
- Never sit in direct sunlight between the times of 10am-2pm. Wear a hat or sit under an umbrella. (this may seem uncool, but your future self will thank you! I know am so thankful I followed this one!)
- Always wear sunscreen, minimum of spf 30.
- Use a mask at least 1-2 times a month.
- Don’t neglect the neck, décolleté and hands. These areas show age just as quickly as the face. Cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize the same as you do to your face.
- Don’t pick at your face. Leave the zit alone!
- Never tug or pull on your skin, be gentle and delicate.
- Always use upward motions when applying anything to the skin.
- Don’t go on a low fat diet, healthy fats are essential for the skin.
- The 3 most aging things are sun, smoking, alcohol. Avoid them as much as possible.
- Drink tons of water.
- Sleep at least 7 hours a night.
Diana explained it to me like this: Imagine when you are born you are given one white suit, and this is what you are going to wear every single day. The way you take care of this suit is the way it is going to look. If you get your suit dirty or wrinkled it will be like this for the rest of your life. Yes, this white suit is a metaphor for your skin. We can’t trade in our skin for a new one because we didn’t take care of it the first time around. Take care of your skin now, when you are young.
I rarely reveal my age, but for the purpose of this post to let you know that taking care of your skin at a young age really does affect the way you look as you age, I will tell you. I am currently 32 years old, I will be 33 in April. When I was 17 I was told the way you take care of your skin between the ages of 18-22 is how your skin will look when you are 30 and over. And I can tell you this is true!!!
I’ve put together some skin care products I think would be great for someone starting out a new skin care routine. Click on the picture below to view the product:
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Comments
19 responses to “Skin Care Advice to Women Under 20”
Hi! I’m 28 and have never used an eye cream (horrible I know.) I wasn’t taught about skin care and have struggled with acne since I was a teen and just recently found that purity is the greatest thing to ever touch my face. What eye cream would you suggest I start using now? Moisturizer? I have sensitive oily skin if that helps. Thanks so much!
What eye cream you choose is based on what your needs are. Whether you have dark circles, fine lines, or just looking for prevention? Also, I did go to cosmetology school and I am an esthetician.
Also, I just thought after I posted that that I know you aren’t an esthetician, but may have a suggestion for a clueless gal!????
Rachel, do you use products from Diana Fountain that she suggested to Jaclyn?
I don’t currently use them in my daily routine. But I have used them here and there and have loved them.
Hi Rachel! I’m 17 years old and all I do is wash my face and moisturize. I have pretty clear skin so is it necessary to start exfoliating? And should I start using eye cream now because I have dark under eye circles? Thank you so much!
Yes, I would start exfoliating now. Even once every 1-2 weeks will benefit you. The idea is to start your skin care steps now while you still have great skin. This way you will continue to have great skin. Rather than trying to reverse damage in 10 or 15 years. I recommend to start using an eye cream by age 20 (I started around 18). Do not buy anything expensive, you just want something for prevention.
Question have you ever used LaMer for under eye puffiness? Its 195 dollars and I was some advise on if you think its a good product worth the money or if there is something out there similar for cheaper.
Hi Rachel! :) just wanted to say I always look forward getting an email that one of posts came up.
I’m 23 (will be 24 in a few months) and the only thing I’ve done for a while now is use Neutragena wipes to take my makeup off, Aveeno clear complexion face wash and then put on The Best Damn Face Mask by Nicole Guerrio. Then in the morning use a moisturizer before I go out. Not sure of what products I should use, but my face is very dry except for the T zone is a little oily and the only place where I break out. What should I do and use to emprove my skin? Also my skin is very sensitive as well! So it’s been a pain to find good products that won’t break me out :-/
I would try the Purity face wash, wash your face both morning and night. After cleansing apply a good moisturizer. Since you are oily in the t-zone only apply the moisturizer to your cheeks in the morning, then all over at night before bed.
Hi Rachel! I’m really interested in the Supergoop SPF and the First Aid Beauty 5-in-1 Eye Cream you have linked. Before I get samples of them, I was wondering what kind of skin type you have (and what kind of skin these products are best for). Dry, oily, combination? I have dry skin, and I’m always looking for more products that will help moisturize and hydrate my skin!
http://www.hanniepat.com
I have dry skin. I have used the Supergoop SPF and love it! The first aid beauty eye cream I suggested is for all skin types.
Hi Rachel! I’m 21 years old, and have severely dry skin! No matter how much I moisturize, when I put makeup on the next morning, my skin always flakes. I wash my face morning and night then moisturize. At night, I also use either Josie Maran Argan oil or the Fresh one. I do however, still get little red bumps on my face as I have some rather large pores and the occasional pimple. Any tips or tricks you could give me? Thank you and I love reading your blog! :)
Sounds like your skin is as dry as mine! To keep mine hydrated I have to use a facial polish exfoliator (I’m currently using one from Fresh) and I have to use a hydrating mask 1-2 times a week. Also, what are you using to cleanse? Make sure it’s gentle enough and not drying you out.
What eye cream would you suggest for prevention? I am 27 almost 28 and have dry skin but can be combination/sensitive.
What hydrating masks would you recommend? I use the purity face wash based off yours and you sisters recommendations! I love it! But lately I’ve been having crazy texture and even breaking out a bit. I wouldn’t go to say I have combination skin just because of how unbelievably dry I am! First world skin problems. Is there anything you would recommend that wouldn’t be too drying to take care of that? Thanks again Rachel!
Hi Rachel! What do you suggest to combat pregnancy acne??
origins checks and balances cleanser is AMAZING for combo skin! I love it
Hi Rachel! Don’t know if you’ll see this because this post isn’t the newest but I am 19 years old and I don’t even know what’s best for my skin(mask wise) or anything. My skin is overpoweringly oily one minute and then flaking off in chunks of dry skin the next, I love being oily when it’s not pimply… But when I use drying acne products the acne is gone but there is gross dry flakes. I don’t have many blemishes I have textured bumps and small blackheads on my nose… Help? (Your family is beautiful by the way)
-Lila