If you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This keeps it 100% reader-supported and free of advertisements or sponsorships. Thanks for your support!

The skincare world is awash in products and tips to slow facial skin from aging. And yet, so few of us are doing much of anything to maintain healthy, youthful-looking skin on our bodies.

 

While it can seem harder to take care of your body’s skin than your face (after all there is so much more to take care of on your body!), the signs of aging are not exclusive to your face. Taking care of your body sooner rather than later, in your 20s or 30s can have huge effects on the appearance of your skin in the decades to come.

 

So what does happen to skin as we age?

• Wrinkles and fine lines: wrinkles and fine lines form due to a lack of collagen and elastin, both ion which naturally decrease as we get older.
• Dryness: Our skin actually gets drier as we get older as we begin to product less oil. This can leave skin itchy or flaky.
• Age spots and pigmentation: Pigmentation in the form of freckles, or patches of discolored skin (either lighter or darker) develop.
• Loss of elasticity: Skin loses its firmness with age which gives a sagging or dropping appearance.

 

While not al of the signs of aging can be eliminated, delaying these effects and reducing their impact on your appearance is possible with a consistent routine over time.

 

At what age should you start an anti-aging routine for your body?

While you can start an anti-aging bodycare routine at any age, it’s best to start a routine as early as possible, even before signs of aging become visible. Just like with the skin on your face, taking care to protect your skin and keep it moisturized will slow the signs of aging and prevent wrinkles, suns spots and a loss of elasticity.

 

Easy Anti-Aging Body Care Routine for Your 20s and 30s

1. Exfoliating

Exfoliating is great for your skin, both short term and long term. In the short term, removing dead skin cells sloughs off dull skin, leaving you with an instant glowing appearance.

 

The benefits go further than that however, by encouraging quicker cell turnover which can diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time.

 

Exfoliating also allows moisturizing creams and serums to penetrate further into the skin, allowing them to hydrate your skin more deeply.

 

Make sure to use use a gentle exfoliant that won’t be too harsh on your skin. Also, using a dry brush all over your body each time you bathe can have great effects for your skin.

 

2. Sunscreen

This one’s the biggie: we all know sunscreen is important to protect from skin cancer and signs of aging, but are you using it as often as you should?

 

It goes without saying that it’s important to wear sunscreen whiners you go in the sun, but it’s also important to wear it on days when the sun is not so bright and overbearing.

 

Make sure you are using enough (as directed on your sunscreen bottle), covering all the important parts of your body, AND reapplying after a couple of hours in the sun.

 

3. Moisturize Daily

Moisturized skin is not just skin that appears healthier. Using a moisturizer all over your body also provides a barrier for your skin against the elements like pollution and the sun (but you still need sunscreen!)

 

It also helps to lock in serums and other penetrating ingredients that work to reduce pigmentation and other signs of aging on the skin.

 

4. Retinol Body Lotion

With so many skincare products and ingredients, it’s easy to be skeptical, but retinol is an anti-aging solution that really works for your body and your face.

 

Retinol reduces spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of sun damage with long-term use. It’s not a quick fix; you will need to develop a long-term, committed relationship with retinol to really reap the results.

 

There are a number of retinol body lotions on the market (and I’ve tried a bunch of them myself). Start by using it once a week and work your way up to 3-4 times a week. Your skin will need to get used to using retinol so it’s best to ease your way into it.

 

Also, it’s best to use retinol at night as it does make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. So if you’re using it during the day, make sure to pair it with your sunscreen!

 

5. Pay special attention to neck and hands

Body lotion isn’t just for your arms, shoulders and leg; in fact, a serious anti-aging bodycare routine will really focus on regular hydration and retinol to the hands and neck. Why? These are two areas where the signs of aging tends to be the most obvious.

 

While you don’t need a cream specifically formulated for your neck or hands to use on those areas, there are number of creams made just for the neck and hands. Otherwise, your existing body products will work just great.

 

Should You Apply Body Care Products At Night or In the Morning?

With the exception of sunscreen, you can really apply your body products whenever works best for you. Some may prefer to apply retinol at night to avoid the extra skin sensitivity that comes with it during the day.

 

I like to apply my body products right after showering for the best absorption since a steamy shower opens your pores. Whatever works best for you to remain consistent is the best schedule!

 

How to Layer Body Skincare Products

The order for layering body products is pretty simple: first exfoliate, then cleanse, use any serums next, follow up with a moisturizer or retinol body lotion, use a body oil next if you are incorporating one into your routine, and then finish with sunscreen.

 

How Long Before You See Results From Your Anti-Aging Bodycare Routine?

For the most part, an anti-aging bodycare routine will slow or delay signs of aging so the results won’t necessarily be noticeable for a long time. That being said there are short-term and often instant benefits to your appearance from taking care of your skin properly.

 

If you are using retinol on your skin, it can take several weeks or months to notice a difference to your skin.

 

Easy Anti-Aging Body Care Routine for Your 20s and 30s Conclusion

Starting an anti-aging bodycare routine is pretty simple; in fact, I’d bet you’re already doing a couple of these now. With consistency over the course of several years, you can notice some serious benefits from paying attention to your skin.

 

In particular the use of a retinol body lotion and regular use of sunscreen can keep your skin from developing signs of aging you’d rather not see.

 

So incorporate some of these steps into your routine for the long haul!