Dermatologist says there are 5 things you must do for your skin before you turn 30

Studies have proven that the best way to keep your skin looking healthy and youthful is to live a healthy lifestyle while also making sure that you have a good skincare routine.

Taking care of your skin might not seem as important as taking care of the rest of your body, but just by making sure you have a good skincareroutine that works for your skin type, it will help your skin look glowing and youthful for longer, even as your get older. But while the world of skincare can be overwhelming, one dermatologist has shared her top five things for people under the age of 30 should start doingin order to keep their skin looking healthy.

Taking to TikTok, dermatologist Dr Ellen Gendler has shared her top tips for her 144.6 thousands followers that she urges people in their 20s to start doing before they turn 30 in order to help keep your skin looking 'beautiful'.

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"Here are five things you should start doing before you turn 30 if you want to have beautiful skin as you get older," she said before jumping into her list.

1. Always wear sunscreen

"Number one, wear sunscreen all the time, even on cloudy days," Dr Gendler said. "Use the best sunscreen you have, it can be chemical or it can be mineral."

Mineral sunscreen and chemical sunscreen are the two main types of sunscreen you’ll see on the market, but it can be confusing to know the differences.

Mineral sunscreen, also known as organic or physical sunscreen, is known for having a heavier, thicker texture than chemical sunscreens. They're composed of minerals and protect the skin by reflecting ultraviolet light from the sun, according to Healthline. Meanwhile, chemical sunscreens uses chemical compounds to provide sun protection by absorbing the sun’s rays and preventing them from reaching the skin.

"If you're using chemical sunscreen, anything is better than nothing. I prefer the sunscreens from Europe or Asia that have better UVA filters than we have in the States right now, but any sunscreen is better than none," Dr Gendler said.

"And if you're going to use a zinc oxide or mineral sunscreen, try to get the zinc oxide to be over 10%, and if you have any kind of pigmentation in your face then you might want to add a tinted sunscreen on top to shield against visible light," she added.

2. Start using retinoids

"Number two, start using retinoids," she continued, before explaining that's it's important to take into account other things before you start retinoids, such as if you're pregnant or are thinking about getting pregnant.

Retinoids, a derivative of vitamin A, are commonly used in skincare for acne and anti-aging. It works by increasing skin cell turnover, which helps to exfoliate, unclog pores, and stimulate collagen production. This can lead to a reduction in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots, as well as improved skin texture and tone.

While some retinoids are available in store-bought skincare or over the counter, others, like Tretinoin (Retin-A), require a prescription, according to the NHS, who recommend talking to your GP or dermatologist if this is something you want to try.

She went on to say that if you're concerned about starting a prescription retinoid, you can start with an over the counter retinoid, either retinol or retinal before you make it to prescription retinoids.

3. Use DNA repair enzymes

Dr Gendler moved on to the next point on her list as she said: "Number three, use DNA repair enzymes."

She went on to explain: "These are topical enzymes that are in many skincare products [...] that help combat the damage that ultraviolet lights does as it hits your face. And even if you're using sunscreen, some of the UV lights' getting in.

"So start using these, they're preventive, they're not gonna dramatically change your skin, but they're going to help prevent the sun damage that will affect you as you get older," she said.

4. Stop smoking

Next up, Dr Gendler urged people to stop smoking. While it might not seem to have anything to do with skincare, Dr Gender was quick to correct this assumption.

According to the NHS, smoking can accelerate skin aging, leading to wrinkles, sagging and a dull complexion. Smoking can also worsen existing skin conditions like acne and psoriasis

"Now is the time to stop," she said. "Terrible for your skin, terrible for every organ but if we're talking about skin here, it's very important."

5. Wear sunglasses

"And the last but not least is wear sunglasses," Dr Gendler said. "The eyes are profoundly affected by the sun as well. Maybe it's not your skin, but it will be something that will disturb you if your vision starts to be affected by the sun as you get older."

Just like with your skin, the UV rays from the sun can cause long-term eye damage if you don't protect your eyes. The best way to do this is to wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection and that carry the British Standard or CE mark.

"Be smart, you're young, you have plenty of years to reap the benefits of doing this," she said.