Unless you are part of a cult that doesn't allow for mirrors, or live in an igloo in the wild with your pet bear Bobo, I'm pretty sure you worry about ageing. Even if it's just a little bit. Right?
I remember when I was in my early 20s I really didn’t care much about ageing. When your skin still resembles dewy deliciousness, you tend to not care as much. But you just wait...
Ageing is like health - most of us only tend to take care of the symptoms when we eventually get sick but rarely try to prevent the actual problem. And when it comes to skin health, and having a lust-worthy dewy complexion, it takes work.
So, start in your 20s and reap the rewards in your 30s, 40s - and beyond!
Makeup
First of all, remember to remove your makeup after going out. Sleeping in your makeup can lead to skin irritation and clogged pores.
The issue with a lot of twenty-somethings is also that we tend to wear too much makeup. Rather focus on your skin health instead of applying makeup to cover bad skin. And Cosmo recommends regularly boosting your skin with a serum or product that contains hyaluronic acid - this will hydrate and plump up your skin.
MiracleMiami.com also notes that young women tend to share makeup with their friends during their 20s in particular. This could lead to an eye infection, cold sores and even conjunctivitis. So be aware of these risks.
Partying
You go on drinking binges.
Image: Giphy
This is often very much part of the university experience, but be aware that what you do now can affect your overall appearance later on. Not only can excessive and high in alcohol drinks like shots wreck the quality of your skin, making it look dull, dehydrated and lifeless, but it can cause long term effects like inflammation of the skin and rosacea, says Vogue.
Read more: What drinking alcohol does to your skin
Picking at your skin
You pick at your skin, and you pop your pimples. It is sooooo tempting we know, but this could lead to permanent scaring, which might just add years to your face and besides, squeezing your spots almost always makes it worse. Some times it even causes exaggerated breakouts.
High-intake of sugar
Fat has been the witch burning at the stake for way too long. But no more! Sugar-laden foods can cause inflammation of the skin says The Huffington Post. So, instead of sugar, add fat to your diet. Good fats like avo, salmon, and nuts will feed the skin (and curb your sugar cravings) making it supple and glowy because of the goodness of Omega-3s.
Image: giphy
Tanning
If any of you are still using tan cans, sunbeds or roasting in the sun like a damn Sunday lunch, stop it! Organic spray-tans (read my experience here), and sunscreen are your new besties. Wanting a healthy glow is not a ridiculous request - but you have options. Having sun spots and skin damage, hell, even as bad as skin cancer in your 30s are real possibilities if you over-indulge in your 20s.
Now, hand me the SPF 50!
The one anti-ageing product everyone can afford
Affordable cosmetics (that really work) to shop from your local pharmacy