I'm Trying to Look 25 Forever, so I Asked Derms What Night Creams to Prioritize
Right now, at age 25, my skin looks pretty good. I try to take really good care of it, and I get a few preventative treatments here and there (perks of being a beauty editor), but for the most part, I know I don't have to mess with it too much. I'd love for my skin to look like this forever, but I also welcome aging. The older you get, the wiser you get, and there's nothing to be scared of when it comes to aging gracefully!
If you're in your 20s like me, it might seem a bit early to start paying attention to heavy-duty skincare products. "In our 20s is when we may start to see some early signs of aging such as fine lines and hyperpigmentation," says Jenny Liu, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Minneapolis. "In our late 20s, skin starts to make less collagen and hyaluronic acid."
One of the best ways to begin taking better care of your skin is to start using a night cream. "Night cream in the 20s can include ingredients such as retinol that helps to repair sun-exposed skin, clogged pores, and acne-prone skin," says Cheryl Burgess, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of the Center for Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery in Washington, DC. Burgess recommends looking for a thicker cream that can help repair the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss.
Other key ingredients to search for in a night cream are vitamin C, ceramides, fatty acids, peptides, niacinamide, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid. And don't just stop at night cream. Purvisha Patel, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare, says you should consider layering a retinol underneath and make sure to wear sunscreen every morning to prevent sun damage.
Below, I've rounded up the best night creams for people in their 20s. These creams will help your skin retain its volume and moisture while you sleep.
Somehow, this moisturizer is thick and emollient without feeling heavy at all on the skin. Take it from me—I've gone through two jars of this cream. I love it so much. Japanese purple rice acts as an antioxidant to protect skin, and algae and hyaluronic acid prevent moisture loss.
When I test-drove some of SkinCeuticals' hero products, this moisturizer came out on top for me. Hydroxy acid helps refine and exfoliate the skin, while botanical extracts help nourish dry skin.
This Kiehl's night mask is really gentle, so it is a good pick for even the most sensitive skin. It imparts tons of moisture.
Next, 8 Beauty Products I'll Never Buy Again
Prior to her time atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , Katie Berohn worked as the beauty assistant for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her master's degree at NYU's graduate program for magazine journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan; a digital editorial internship at New York magazine's The Cut; a social good fellowship at Mashable; and a freelance role at HelloGiggles.
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