Whether you’re in your teens or 20s, it’s good to start with a preventative skin care routine early. However, the complicated 12-step skin care routines you may see on social media are unnecessary and often difficult to keep up with, which defeats the whole point of consistent skin care.
Your skin naturally changes throughout your teens and twenties as hormones, lifestyle, stress, diet, and environmental exposure all play a role in its appearance. Establishing a simple, consistent preventative skincare routine now can help support healthy-looking skin for years to come, without needing an overflowing cabinet of products.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, starting healthy habits now and choosing the right skincare can make a huge difference in how your skin looks beyond your 20s. Keep reading for research-based information on the best skincare and some of our favorite clean, herbal products to help your skin stay radiant and healthy.
Simple Preventative Skincare Routine for Gen Z
✔ Gentle cleanser
✔ Daily moisturizer
✔ Smart sun protection
✔ One targeted treatment
✔ Quality sleep, diet, and hydration
Start with Healthy Habits
Before diving into skincare ingredients, start with a solid foundation for caring for your skin. Otherwise, many of the products you use won’t be able to work their magic.
Some of the most recommended habits from dermatologists include:
- Protect your skin from the sun: It's a tip you've probably heard before, but protecting your skin from the sun is critical for both its health (such as helping to prevent the appearance of dark spots) and keeping your skin looking more youthful. Practice smart sun protection by wearing hats, protective clothing, and seeking shade during periods of intense sun exposure. When appropriate, many people also choose to use sunblock on exposed skin. According to the Cleveland Clinic, UPF clothing can block up to 98% of UV rays, especially darker-colored garments made with sun-protective fabrics.
- Prioritize skin health: Avoid indoor tanning beds, which are harmful. If you are out in the sun, aim for moderation and always avoid burning (check the UV index) to keep your skin healthy.
- Avoid touching your face: Constantly touching your face can transfer dirt, oil, and bacteria from your hands to your skin, which can lead to breakouts and irritation.
- Remove your makeup every night: Leaving it on doesn’t allow your skin to recover and can accelerate skin aging or cause breakouts.
- Use gentle products: Aggressive rubbing or continual use of products that irritate your skin can harm your skin.
- Support your skin from the inside out: A healthy diet, adequate hydration, and consistent sleep help your body recover each day. Specifically, limiting sugar may help to keep your skin healthier.
Build a Preventative Skincare Routine for Your Skin Type
For starters, invest in a gentle cleanser and moisturizer that suits your skin type. These are the baseline products you'll use every single day, along with smart sun protection.
Oily or Combination Skin
If you have oily skin, look for a gentle cleanser or one that helps with acne if you find your skin is acne-prone. As for moisturizer, don’t skip this simply because your skin is oily! Your skin still needs hydration—just opt for a lightweight moisturizer, rather than a heavy cream.
- Charcoal Clarity Cleanser: Fighting breakouts? This refreshing foaming cleanser combines activated charcoal, tea tree oil, rooibos, and botanical fruit extracts to gently cleanse away impurities while supporting a clearer-looking complexion.
- Repairing Vitamin C Cleanser: We love that this herbal cleanser contains French green clay, which gently cleanses and exfoliates the skin. Plus, the vitamin C in this cleanser can protect your skin from free radicals and help you avoid hyperpigmentation.
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Flawless Jojoba Serum: Lightweight yet deeply nourishing, this fast-absorbing serum delivers jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidant-rich botanicals to help keep skin feeling hydrated, smooth, and beautifully balanced.
- Cooling Cucumber Lotion: Fast-absorbing and refreshing, this lightweight moisturizer hydrates without leaving behind a greasy feel, making it an excellent choice for oily, combination, or normal skin.
- Goddess Glow Cream: This powerhouse cream is one of our best sellers! It leaves the skin feeling hydrated and soothed, while providing preventive ingredients that help keep your skin tighter and firmer. This works for all skin types, but it is a medium-weight product that won’t feel too heavy on oily skin.
Dry Skin
For those of you with dry skin, opt for a hydrating cleanser and rich moisturizer. Hyaluronic acid is a key skincare ingredient to watch out for. This super ingredient holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it ultra-hydrating.
- Anti-Oxidant Cleanser: Gentle enough for everyday use, this hydrating cleanser features green tea extract, aloe, and honey to soothe, moisturize, and purify the skin. If your skin is prone to redness or irritation, the rose, Roman chamomile, and lavender hydrosols are powerhouse ingredients that can help the skin feel calm, refreshing and moisturized.
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Flawless Jojoba Cleanser: This ultra-hydrating cleanser delivers deep-penetrating hydration while clarifying the skin and delivering activated charcoal, which may help reduce the appearance of pores. If you have dry skin, you’ll love that this cleanser contains hyaluronic acid and a range of vitamins to soothe and restore your skin.
- Decadent Silky Cream: This glowy moisturizer is fabulous for creating silky, radiant skin. Rich jojoba oil, coconut oil, vitamin E, and silk peptides work together to provide lasting moisture while leaving skin feeling exceptionally soft, smooth, and radiant.
- Heavenly Hyaluronic Lotion: If you’re interested in nourishing your skin with hyaluronic acid, this is the moisturizer for you! This exquisite moisturizer is rich in hyaluronic acid, marine collagen, silk peptides, and heavenly essential oils that promote healthy, glowy skin.
For makeup removal, Micellar Makeup Remover is a must! Enhanced with witch hazel and medium-chain triglycerides, this gentle formula quickly lifts away makeup, dirt, and daily buildup while helping maintain your skin's natural moisture balance.
Choose One Targeted Treatment for Your Biggest Skin Concern
During our research, we found that many dermatologists recommend that Gen Zers keep their skincare routine simple. Sunscreen, cleanser, and moisturizer are the base of your routine, but adding in one product to address a current concern can take your routine to the next level.
For example, if you struggle with very dry skin, investing in a deeply hydrating face mask to use once a week can transform your skin. We love our Advanced Hyaluronic Face Mask for those dealing with dryness and looking to keep their skin plump. Give thirsty skin an extra boost of hydration with this nourishing weekly treatment designed to leave skin feeling softer, smoother, and visibly refreshed.
If acne is a concern, try our French Green Clay mask, which is traditionally used to absorb excess oil, impurities and toxins, helping revitalize the skin. This mineral-rich clay mask leaves skin feeling deeply cleansed, revitalized, and renewed.
If anti-aging is your biggest concern, consider our glowy Eternal Youth Serum, which can brighten and firm the skin, or our Face Firming Serum, which is ultra-hydrating and encourages elasticity.
Remember, introduce one new product at a time so you can gauge how your skin reacts.
Preventative skincare doesn't have to be complicated. A gentle cleanser, moisturizer, thoughtful sun protection, and one targeted treatment can go a long way toward supporting healthy-looking skin throughout your teens and twenties. The best routine is one you'll enjoy using consistently, helping your skin stay healthy and radiant for years to come.
We hope this guide helps you on your skincare journey!
Well Wishes,
Herbalist Natalie
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Natalie Hajdu-Voakes is a consulting herbalist and the owner of The Herb Stop, with over 28 years of hands-on experience in crafting herbal remedies and promoting natural wellness. |
*The statements in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products and statements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Consult your healthcare provider before use.