No, it's absolutely not too late to start a skincare routine at 21. While starting earlier is ideal, beginning a skincare regimen at any age offers significant benefits. It's never too late to protect and improve your skin's health.
Why Start a Skincare Routine?
Dermatologists consistently emphasize the importance of proactive skincare. According to board-certified dermatologist Rajani Katta, MD, FAAD, "The skin care choices you make now will affect what your skin looks like in your next decade – and beyond."1 This highlights the long-term impact of consistent skincare practices.
Benefits of Starting Now:
- Prevention of Future Damage: Implementing a routine now helps prevent future sun damage, wrinkles, and other signs of aging. This includes the crucial step of using sunscreen daily, as emphasized by multiple sources. 2, 3, 8
- Improved Skin Health: A consistent routine can address current skin concerns like acne, dryness, or uneven skin tone. 4, 5, 6
- Long-Term Benefits: Even if you haven't had a skincare routine previously, you can still significantly improve your skin's appearance and health over time. 7, 9, 10
Addressing Concerns:
Some might worry it's too late due to past neglect, but numerous sources confirm that it's never too late to start. 7, 9, 10 You can gradually incorporate products into your routine at a pace that feels comfortable. 2
Getting Started:
Begin with a simple routine focusing on cleansing, moisturizing, and sunscreen. As you become more comfortable, you can add other products as needed to address specific concerns.
References:
[1] Your 20s is an ideal time to start a skin care routine and adopt skin healthy habits. “The skin care choices you make now will affect what your skin looks like in your next decade – and beyond,” says board-certified dermatologist Rajani Katta, MD, FAAD. 23-Feb-2023
[2] Quora: Is it okay to start my skin care in my 20s? I'm now 23 turning 24 next ... https://www.quora.com/Is-it-okay-to-start-my-skin-care-in-my-20s-Im-now-23-turning-24-next-month-and-I-didnt-do-a-skin-care-routine-during-my-teenage-days-Im-just-cleansing-my-face-Is-it-too-late-for-me
[3] Quora: Is it too late to start wearing sunscreen when you're already 23 years ... https://www.quora.com/Is-it-too-late-to-start-wearing-sunscreen-when-youre-already-23-years-old
[4] Reddit: [Routine Help] 24F, never had a skincare routine, is it too late to start ... https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/comments/a4wtvs/routine_help_24f_never_had_a_skincare_routine_is/
[5] Reddit: Examples of people who had a glow up in their mid-late 20's or older ... https://www.reddit.com/r/beauty/comments/1859t7c/examples_of_people_who_had_a_glow_up_in_their/
[6] American Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologist-recommended skin care for your 20s https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/skin-care-in-your-20s
[7] Fifty Shades of Snail: It's Never Too Late to Start Taking Care of Your Skin https://fiftyshadesofsnail.com/2015/07/06/its-never-too-late-to-start-taking-care-of-your-skin/
[8] MD Anderson Cancer Center: Sun damage: Does age matter? https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/sun-damage--does-age-matter-.h28-1593780.html
[9] Vogue: The 32 Best Skin-Care Products Every 20-Something Should Be ... https://www.vogue.com/article/skin-care-products-to-use-20s-30s
[10] Beauty Changes Lives: PCA Skin Esthetics Scholarship Winners https://beautychangeslives.org/portfolio-item/pca-skin-esthetics-scholarship-winners/
