Skin
Aug 6, 2023

3 Estheticians on the Skincare They Wish They Would Have Started in Their 20s

by Kaitlyn McLintock

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I'm in my late-20s, so I have minimal signs of aging. Still, though, I see fine lines forming on my forehead. I see dark spots from sun damage littering my nose and cheeks. I even see a slight yet visible loss of firmness around my neck and jawline. These things don't keep me up at night. After all, aging is a privilege, and it's better than the alternative. But that doesn't mean I don't wish I was a little more diligent when it came to sunscreen application in high school or that I don't wish I would have started using vitamin C serums much earlier than I did. Long story short, I have a few skincare regrets.

To avoid any future regrets, I want to know what I should be doing now for better skin later. So, I reached out to three estheticians to find out. Ahead, learn the skincare they wish they would have started in their 20s and why you should consider them too.

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Joanna Vargas/Kat Slootsky

Celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas founded Joanna Vargas Salons and Skin Care and authored "Glow From Within." Some of the most famous faces in the world count on her skincare expertise, including the likes of Greta Gerwig, Keri Russell, and Sofia Coppola.

WWW: Do you have any skincare regrets from your 20s?

Joanna Vargas: I was such a fan of products and would constantly try new things on my skin. My only regret is that I never considered anything about me to be good enough. I wish I could have spent some of my time being kinder to myself.

Is there any product you wish you would have started in your 20s?

Vargas: I wish I had started a great serum in my 20s. I was overly focused on acids, and I was stripping my skin too much.

Is there a habit or routine you wish you would have started in your 20s?

Vargas: A habit I wish I had gotten into more was getting enough sleep. I never took vitamins, and I always struggled with sleeping. I couldn't wind down. I didn't learn until later in life that all of that was a vitamin deficiency.

What’s a good, simple skincare routine you’d suggest someone in their 20s follow?

Vargas: Invest in a great cleanser, serum, and moisturizer. Exfoliate twice a week and wash your face nightly. Elasticity and youthful skin are all dependent on antioxidants and exfoliation. Proper cell turnover stimulated by the right exfoliant is key, as is using products with lots of antioxidants like Acai berry, found in my Vitamin C Face Wash ($40), and argan oil, found in my Rejuvenating Antioxidant Oil Serum ($100). I also suggest that people in their 20s start using retinol like my Super Nova Hydrating Retinol Serum ($295) once a week.

What about in-office treatments?

Vargas: A lot of young women in their early 20s are coming into my salons once a month for regular facials and cleanses with oxygen. Most of them are requesting that they be given [this] kind of a treatment plan for years to come.

My Oxygen Purifying Facial is a great introduction for someone who hasn’t had a proper cleanse and is just starting out with a facial routine. It’s a great way to cleanse the pores.

I would strongly encourage younger women to seek out regular LED light therapy to prevent wrinkles. It thickens the skin and prevents damage from occurring in the first place. I do LED light regularly on older women, and I have seen lines disappear, so if you start young, you are really preventing the damage from popping up early.

In my salon, we do several different treatments that involve LED light, but by far, the most popular is my patented RevitaLight Bed, which gives a client a full-body LED treatment in just 20 minutes. The bed covers the entire body with red and infrared light, reducing cellulite, lines, wrinkles, sun damage, acne scars, and stretch marks to give a smoother and more even skin tone–all over!

Shop Vargas's Skincare Edit:

Jordan Samuels

After the Show Treatment Cleanser

$15

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"Another great cleanser is Jordan Samuel's After The Show," Vargas says. "I love it to remove makeup while soothing the skin."

Joanna Vargas

Rejuvenating Serum

$100

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This antioxidant-rich serum protects the firmness and elasticity of the skin.

Joanna Vargas

Supernova Serum

$295

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"A lot of studies have shown retinol used once a week is effective in reducing inflammation, breakouts, and hyperpigmentation," Vargas says.

Joanna Vargas

Daily Serum

$85

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"My own Daily Green Hyaluronic Acid Serum contains tons of greens to keep your skin happy and glowing," Vargas says. "It is a light formula that doesn't clog pores, so it's great even if you break out."

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Shani Darden

Shani Darden is a celebrity esthetician and the founder of Shani Darden Skin Care. She's trusted by A-listers like Shay Mitchell and Jessica Alba to keep their skin bright, healthy, and radiant.

WWW: Do you have any skincare regrets from your 20s?

Darden: I spent too much time laying out in the sun! I avoid the sun as much as possible now. I was also inconsistent about wearing sunscreen. I went through periods of being dedicated to wearing it and other times when I wasn't wearing it at all.

Is there any product you wish you would have started in your 20s?

Darden: I wish I would have diligently worn sunscreen every single day like I do now. Wearing sunscreen every day is the most important thing you can do to keep your skin radiant and youthful. It takes decades for sun damage to come to the surface, so it's important to be diligent about protecting your skin from a young age.

Is there a habit or routine you wish you would have started in your 20s?

Darden: The earlier you can get on a consistent skincare routine, the better. It takes time to figure out what works for your skin, but it's so worth it for the glowing skin you can achieve from following a dedicated routine.

What's a good, simple skincare routine you'd suggest someone in their 20s follow?

Darden: In the morning, start with a gentle cleanser such as the Cleansing Serum ($38). Next, apply an antioxidant serum such as iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum ($95) to protect the skin and offset the effects of oxidative stress, which will brighten the skin and boost the skin's elasticity. For extra hydration, follow with hyaluronic acid, such as Dr. Nigma's Serum No. 1 ($185), and then eye cream, such as the Intensive Eye Renewal Cream ($68). The most important step of any morning routine is sunscreen. Supergoop Play Everyday SPF 50 ($34) is one of my favorite sunscreens. It's hydrating yet doesn't cause congestion, and has an SPF of 50.

At night, cleanse again with the Cleansing Serum to thoroughly cleanse without stripping the skin. This is a great time to add in a treatment serum such as Retinol Reform ($88) for all of the multi-tasking benefits—from the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles to uneven texture, dullness, and even loss of firmness. Even if you're not seeing fine lines and wrinkles in your 20s, it's still great to add it to give your skin an amazing glow. Follow your treatment product with Dr. Nigma's Serum No. 1 Intensive Eye Renewal Cream and a great moisturizer for your skin type.

What about in-office treatments?

Darden: I recommend getting a facial once a month and maintaining a dedicated skincare routine in-between visits. If you're not using the right products for your skin consistently, the results of a facial won't last as long.

Facials are a really integral part of glowing skin. An esthetician will be able to provide a much deeper cleanse than you're able to do yourself. The perfect facial is one that is non-invasive yet still very effective, leaving you glowing when you walk out of the treatment room. I love the combination of vibration therapy, a chemical peel, oxygen therapy, microcurrent, cryotherapy, and LED light therapy for a lifted, sculpted, hydrated glow – all great treatments for your 20s and beyond.

Your esthetician will also be able to analyze your skin to determine the perfect routine for your skin, and monthly facials are a great way to see what's working and what isn't. Your esthetician can adjust your routine from there, helping you achieve your best skin. The sooner you get a skincare routine established, the better!

Shop Darden's Skincare Edit:

Shani Darden Skin Care

Cleansing Serum

$38

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This gentle cleanser removes dirt, oil, and debris without taking away the skin's much-needed moisture.

iS Clinical

Pro Heal Serum

$95

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This iconic serum from iS Clinical soothes even the most sensitive skin.

Dr. Nigma

Serum No. 1 Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum

$185

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This serum is full of hyaluronic acid, so it's like a tall glass of water for the skin.

Shani Darden Skin Care

Intensive Eye Renewal Cream

$68

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Peptides and silk tree extract keep the eye area looking plump and youthful. It also targets dark circles.

Supergoop

Play Everyday Lotion SPF 5

$34

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This is the perfect everyday sunscreen for both the face and the body.

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Savanna Boda

Savanna Boda is an esthetician and face reality acne expert. She specializes in treating acne-prone skin, though she cares for a range of clients and concerns in her Dallas med spa.

WWW: Do you have any skincare regrets from your 20s?

Boda: My biggest regret is not wearing sunscreen in my 20s.

Is there any product you wish you would have started in your 20s?

Boda: I wish I would've started using the Face Reality Daily SPF 30 Lotion.

Is there a habit or routine you wish you would have started in your 20s?

Boda: I wish I'd started double cleansing sooner and stopped using makeup wipes to remove my makeup!

What's a good, simple skincare routine you'd suggest someone in their 20s follow?

Boda: Many individuals in their 20s experience acne-prone skin, so I'd recommend Face Reality Ultra Gentle Cleanser ($30), 8% L-Mandelic Serum, and Clearderma Moisturizer ($28). This is an easy and effective daily routine.

What about in-office treatments?

Boda: I would recommend getting chemical peels three to six times a year to help with keeping your skin fresh, youthful, and glowy.