Not one skincare routine fits all complexions, especially when it comes to your age. Age plays a factor in how your skin appears and behaves, and affects what skin concerns you might face as you travel down life’s path. The skincare routine you had in your teens isn’t going to be as effective for you in your 40s, so it’s important to use the right products and ingredients to truly meet your skin needs. Each stage of your skin journey should be celebrated, and your routine changing alongside your progress to maintain your healthiest complexion. Below are the essentials you should have on your top shelf for each stage to make your skin journey smooth and effortless. Keep scrolling to get all the details.


Teens: Basic Routine + Sunscreen

When starting out with skincare in your teens, there’s no need to overcomplicate it. Teenage skin goes through a lot of hormonal changes, so it’s important to keep things simple to avoid aggravating the complexion. A routine of cleanser, toner and moisturizer will ensure your skin is clean and nourished on a daily basis, conveniently handling common concerns like excess sebum or buildup.

Our Simple Routine Recommendations

COSRX - Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser haruharu wonder - Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner - Fragrance Free Round Lab - Birch Juice Moisturizing Cream - 80ml

Wearing sunscreen is a vital part of the routine that should be a habit established early. By preventing sun damage from a young age, you’re able to dodge skin troubles later in the future that are harder to reverse. Always layer up on your SPF as the last step of your daytime routine to protect yourself from sun damage and consequential dryness, sunburn and premature signs of aging.

Our Sunscreen Recommendations

Isntree - Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ Purito SEOUL - Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ APLB - Glutathione Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++


20s-30s: Vitamin C + Retinol

As you enter your twenties, your skin will become more resilient and it’s a great time to introduce some active ingredients to combat signs of aging. Vitamin C provides antioxidant protection from environmental stressors and encourages a naturally radiant complexion. It pairs well with sunscreen as the former neutralizes free radicals from UV exposure, while the latter prevents said UV exposure from causing damage to the skin.

Our Vitamin C Recommendations

COSRX - The Vitamin C 23 Serum Purito SEOUL - Pure Vitamin C Serum Dr. Althea - Gentle Vitamin C Serum

At the age of 25 your skin starts to naturally lose collagen and elastin, which are what make your skin firm and bouncy. Retinol (Vitamin A) comes in as an ingredient that can help your skin boost collagen production, plumping up the skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores. Aside from treating signs of aging, Retinol also addresses breakouts by preventing clogged pores. It’s recommended by derms to start with a low concentration of Retinol and slowly build up the skin’s tolerance before moving on to a stronger dose.

Our Retinol Recommendations

SOME BY MI - Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum APLB - Retinol Vitamin C Vitamin E Ampoule Serum CELIMAX - The Vita-A Retinol Shot Tightening Serum


40s-50s: Peptides + Collagen

As you enter your 40s and 50s, you may start to notice your skin appearing less firm and bouncy as compared to several years ago. Skin aging is a completely natural process of life, but there are ingredients that can help slow down aging and support a youthful complexion. One of them is Peptide, which primarily delivers benefits to smooth out wrinkles and enhance skin elasticity. It’s also useful for improving skin barrier function and balancing hydration levels.

Our Peptide Recommendations

APLB - Collagen EGF Peptide Ampoule Serum haruharu wonder - Centella Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream MEDIPEEL+ - Peptide 9 Volume Lifting All-In-One Essence Pro

Another similar ingredient beneficial for mature skin is Collagen. The skin naturally produces collagen and will slow down production as you age, with existing collagen in the skin also breaking down at a faster rate. Incorporating Collagen into your routine will elevate skin firmness, suppleness and elasticity, as well as improve skin tone and overall appearance as it removes dead skin cells.

Our Collagen Recommendations

Biodance - Collagen Gel Toner Pads - 140g/60pads medicube - Collagen Glow Booster Serum Round Lab - Camellia Deep Collagen Firming Gel Mask


60s+: Ceramide + Probiotics

The body naturally produces ceramide, a type of lipid, in the skin to support the skin’s structural integrity, but this will start to deplete over time. By adding Ceramide into your routine, you maintain your skin barrier to lock moisture into the skin and resist environmental damage. Ceramide wards off sagginess, a loss of elasticity and other signs of aging, repairing damage and restoring skin texture.

Our Ceramide Recommendations

THE FACE SHOP - Rice & Ceramide Moisturizing Emulsion ANUA - 7 Rice Ceramide Hydrating Barrier Serum eSpoir - Water Splash Sun Cream Ceramide SPF50+ PA++++

You’ll notice Probiotics in many products marketed as ‘anti-aging’, and they’re present in these formulas for good reason. Mature skin is often dry and dull as a result of a weakened skin barrier and unbalanced microbiome; Probiotics assist in fortifying the barrier to reduce transepidermal water loss and moisturize the skin, leading to smoother, more glowy appearance. A stronger skin barrier is more resilient against acne, dryness, inflammation and sensitivity.

Our Probiotics Recommendations

numbuz:n - No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner haruharu wonder - Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence (Milky Essence) Abib - Rice Probiotics Overnight Mask Barrier Jelly


Add the essential skincare for your age to your shopping basket ASAP! Make sure you’re following us on Instagram and Facebook, as well as keeping an eye on the VANA Blog, so you receive all the latest news, promos and information!