It’s never too early to start taking good care of your skin.

If you’re the kind of person who’s managed to get through life with a bare-bones beauty routine, we’re happy for you and your low-maintenance lifestyle. We’ve got some bad news though– those days of “I only use soap and water” skin care only last so long. Eventually, due to a perfect storm of genetics, environment, and daily wear and tear, your skin will start to need a little extra help to keep looking glowy, smooth, and soft.

The main culprit for your complexion taking a turn for the worse is the cumulative effects of aging. As Dr. Joshua Zeichner, dermatologist and Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research at Mount Sinai Hospital explains it, “Generally speaking, [when you get older] the skin both becomes weaker and cannot protect itself as well as it once could from the environment. Skin cell turnover slows down, antioxidant defenses decline, skin hydration levels become lower, the skin barrier becomes weaker, and collagen production declines.” It’s an inevitable part of aging, but studies have shown that people who have a dedicated anti-aging skin care routine incorporating some key active ingredients (and sunscreen!) can prolong the onset of effects and keep their skin looking healthy for longer. 

The good news is that an anti-aging routine doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, it can be as simple as strategically adding one or two new products to your existing routine (well, maybe a few more if your regimen right now consists of water and a bar of soap). Two of our favorite ingredients to kickstart your anti-aging routine are Argireline and Centella Asiatica.

Argireline

Peptides like Argireline are small molecules made up of amino acids. Our bodies use peptides as molecular signals and they form the building blocks of many natural proteins in our skin, including collagen, which is what gives skin structure and keeps it looking firm. Using a product with Argireline can help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles to keep skin smooth and firm.

Centella Asiatica

Also known as Tiger’s Grass or Gotu Kola, this herb originates in Korea and is known for its soothing benefits for the skin. It also contains skin-beneficial compounds madecassoside and asiaticoside and is a gentle, plant-derived ingredient that works well in any routine because it’s neither oily nor drying. 

So, when should you start thinking about an anti-aging skin regimen? “We know that skin cell turnover slows down in your 30s, so I like my patients to start thinking about an anti-aging routine in their 20s,” says Dr. Zeichner. “Generally speaking, skin-care products work best when cellular machinery is functioning optimally. Younger skin is healthier, functions better, and likely responds better to skin care products than older skin. The stronger the foundation your skin starts with, the better it will look in the future.”