Skin care is important, even in your 20s and 30s.

Skin changes as the years go by – and your skin-care routine should change with it. No matter how much we try to convince ourselves otherwise, the clock is going to keep on ticking, and our skin is going to age. But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You can practice healthy skin-care habits that will keep you looking your best, no matter what your age.

Let’s face the music: aging is inevitable

We all know that our skin changes as we age, but what’s exactly happening? The skin is a remarkable organ; its ability to regenerate itself really is a wonder. New cells are constantly forming, but cells regenerate at a slower pace as we get older. Because of this, you may notice your skin texture changing over the decades. Skin becomes thinner as the years go by, and you may see more age spots. These are actually areas of hyperpigmentation caused by UV rays – another reason why it’s so critical to wear sunscreen at every age.

Our skin also loses some of its natural elasticity as the years go by, leading to sagging and wrinkles. Compounding the problem is the loss of lipids (fatty acids) over time, which are responsible for keeping skin moisturized – meaning your moisture needs will change over time.

We have to face it: our skin-care needs are going to change as we age. What worked for you in your 20s is probably not going to be as effective after a decade or two. On the other hand, we’re so inundated with “anti-aging” products that it’s easy to get ahead of ourselves when it comes to developing an effective skin-care routine. Whether you’re 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 or beyond, it’s important to choose a regimen and products that are appropriate for your age and skin type. Here are some of my favorite beauty tips for beautiful skin at every age.

Skin care in your 20s

If you haven’t already started a beauty regimen, now’s the time. It’s important to get into a habit of developing a good skin-care routine early on, because it will help you look your best for years.

You may be seeing changes in your skin since you’re coming out of your teenage years, and your hormones may be changing. Your skin will continue to adjust throughout your 20s, so take some time to figure out what your skin type is and choose your beauty regimen accordingly.

Some simple lifestyle changes can help, too. Late nights out and too much time in the sun can affect the appearance of your skin. Start wearing sunscreen daily if you don’t already do so, because this will help your skin remain elastic and supple. And while it’s tempting to stay out late socializing, try to limit your late nights so you can look your best during the day.

Skin care in your 30s

This is when you may start noticing the signs of aging. Your skin starts to lose collagen and elastin, and a few fine lines might make their debut on your face. You may need to change your beauty regimen to include more moisturizing products.

It’s common to start seeing signs of aging around your eyes, too. This is the decade when you should consider adding an extra step in your beauty regimen to focus specifically on the skin around your eyes.

Want a quick tip to avoid encroaching laughter lines? Wear big sunglasses; the bigger the better in my book. If you choose shades with UVA and UVB protection, then you’ll be keeping more of your face covered and protected from the sun. And the best thing about shades is that they reduce the likelihood of squinting. Squinting is not a good look, so throw on some shades when you’re outdoors or driving and you could delay eye wrinkles. (By the way, isn’t ‘laughter lines’ a much nicer phrase than ‘crow’s feet’?)

Skin care in your 40s

In your 40s, an uneven skin tone is one of the most common complaints women have. This can be caused by too many hours in the sun with resulting age spots (so keep up your sunscreen routine). It can also be a throwback to pregnancy, which leaves some women with melasma (also known as the mask of pregnancy).

Other hormonal changes during this decade – and the possible onset of menopause – could leave you wondering where your youthful skin went. At this time, it’s best to visit your dermatologist for suggestions and possible treatments for your changing skin that will help you look and feel your best.

Many women in their 40s feel confident that they have their skin-care regimen nailed down, so it’s a pain to realize that you may have to adapt and evolve. Happily enough, small changes do add up, so you may only need a few tweaks to regain control of your skin.

Skin care in your 50s – and beyond

A crucial element to skin care as you age is moisturizing. By the time you hit your 50s, skin is losing its elasticity, and you may start to see sagging. Though you can’t turn back the clock, you can keep your skin (and yourself) hydrated.