Skincare by Age: What to Do in Your 20s, 30s, 40s, and Beyond

Your skin’s needs change as fast as your life does. And while your routine might’ve worked in your teens (kinda), the truth is: your skin deserves better — and smarter — care as you age. Here’s how to keep your face in the game, decade by decade.

In Your 20s: Build the Basics

• Why it matters: Prevention starts now. You might not see fine lines yet, but UV, stress, and poor sleep are already stacking the odds.
• Focus on: Daily SPF, gentle cleanser, lightweight moisturizer, and an exfoliant 1–2x a week.
• Pro Tip: Start using eye cream before you think you need it. Your 30s will thank you.

In Your 30s: Defend & Correct

• Why it matters: Collagen production starts slowing. Fine lines and uneven tone creep in. You’re likely juggling career, stress, and maybe a family. Your skin’s feeling it.
• Focus on: Antioxidants like Vitamin C in the morning, retinol at night, a richer moisturizer, and regular SPF. Hydration is key.
• Pro Tip: Add a serum. This is the decade where targeted treatment pays off.

In Your 40s: Support + Strengthen

• Why it matters: Skin gets drier and thinner. Cell turnover slows. Wrinkles deepen. If you’re not already consistent, now’s the time.
• Focus on: Peptides, ceramides, and niacinamide to repair the barrier. We know you may not know what those are... keep reading, we'll help
• Pro Tip: Consider a night cream. Your skin heals while you sleep—make it count.

50s and Beyond: Optimize What’s Working

• Why it matters: You’ve earned those lines, but that doesn’t mean you stop caring. Smart, simple, effective products will keep your skin resilient.
• Focus on: Rich hydration, firming peptides, and SPF ALWAYS. Stick with what works, and cut what doesn’t.
• Pro Tip: You don’t need more products. You need better ones.

Bottom line? You don’t need a different routine every decade — you need the right one, adjusted as your skin evolves. That’s why we built Henkey’s: to take the guesswork out and help you show up looking like the man you are — at every stage.

Need help picking products for your age? Ask our chatbot or shoot us a note at hey@henkeys.com.

Henkey’s: Good grooming. No guesswork.

Resources & Further Reading

• Decreased Collagen Production in Chronologically Aged Skin – Varani et al., American Journal of Pathology (2006)
• Retinoids in the Treatment of Skin Aging: An Overview of Clinical Efficacy and Safety – Mukherjee et al., Clinical Interventions in Aging (2006)
• Human Skin Aging and the Anti‑Aging Properties of Retinol – Quan et al., Biomolecules (2023)
• Should You Use Retinol and Retinoids? – Time Magazine (2024)