So, you’ve made it to adulthood! That means that now time to get serious about skincare and keep glowing, youthful skin on your side.

My mum once told me that I needed to start using a daily moisturiser. I was 15. This sounds too young to worry about skincare, but she was on to something. This is because when it comes to taking care of our skin, we need to start as soon as we can.

But like many teenagers who came before me, I chose not to listen. I was one of the lucky ones who avoided the dreaded bought of teenage acne, so there wasn’t much for me to worry about. When I hit my twenties though, I realised that I needed to heed her advice. And now that I’ve turned 25, I can see the beginnings of a wrinkle on my forehead. In this instance mother really does know best, so I need to up my game.

This is a decade of change for our faces

Our twenties are all about self discovery, adventure and ‘adulting’ for the first time. We’re still young in the grand scheme of things, but we need to face the fact that we’re past peak skin regeneration. Teenage acne is a thing of the past, but thanks to hormones and our monthly cycles, we ladies can still face breakouts and blemishes on a regular basis.

For this decade, we need to be proactive and protect our skin from stresses like the sun, pollution and make up.

First thing’s first – stay hydrated

Skin is an organ, so we need to keep our skin hydrated to prevent dryness, flaking and the loss of elasticity. Drinking water is an obvious piece of advice, but it might not be enough. You need to stay away from harsh soaps, products containing alcohol and harsh temperatures.

Keep it clean

I shouldn’t have to say this, but if you’re wearing makeup, take it off when you go to bed (or even sooner).

We’re all guilty of it, but sleeping with makeup on clogs pores, widens them, and can cause a build up of sebum (natural oils) that can cause unwanted spots.

If you’re into beauty, you’ll no doubt know about the French miracle that is micellar water. I’m currently using the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water.

Don’t forget about SPF

You might only consider sunscreen in the summer, but UV rays can still damage your skin throughout the year. It’s best to apply a daily cream with added SPF to protect yourself from the sun’s rays.

If you want a good cream that moisturises, protects and doesn’t break the bank, I’d recommend the Olay Complete Care Day Cream.

Go easy on the exfoliant

Exfoliation is essential for skincare as it clears away the top layer of dead cells and reveals the ones underneath. What you need to remember though is to be gentle, as you don’t want to irritate and tear the new skin. This means that you need to avoid products containing alcohol or harsh, jagged particles.

It might take some time to find what products work best for you. I tried a textured face was from Lush and found that it was giving me red skin on my cheeks, so now I use this Simple Refreshing Facial Wash Gel and a flannel to gently rub it away in the shower.

I’ve also started using the cult favourite, Pixi Glow Tonic, which lifts dull skin cells and uses natural ingredients to soothe, hydrate and brighten the skin.

Get your beauty sleep

Sleep is obviously important for your health. It’s even better for your skin if you take off your makeup and apply a night cream that will aid skin regeneration as you rest.

I’m a huge fan of Bodyshop Drops Of Youth range – particularly the bouncy sleeping mask which leaves my skin beautifully soft and supple.

You don’t have to break the bank

As you can see, I don’t use a crazy amount of skincare products, but I feel like they do the trick of keeping my skin soft, clean and glowing. The best thing is that everything on this list is under £20. In fact, most of them are under £10!

These are my suggestions, and it’s important to remember that you need to find what works best for your skin. What’s more, it’s not just your skin that matters, it’s how you feel inside too.

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