The Best Skincare & Beauty Treatments for Every Age

HOW SKIN CHANGES AS WE AGE

Your skin is constantly evolving, and so should your skincare routine. While a solid foundation—hydration, sun protection, and gentle exfoliation—is essential at every age, different decades bring unique concerns. Fine lines in your 20s may seem minor, but by your 40s, collagen loss and skin laxity become more apparent. The key? Start preventative treatments earlier than you think.

To break down the best skincare and in-office treatments for every age, we turned to AEDIT Founder and board certified facial plastic & reconstructive surgeon, Dr. William Kennedy and Dr. Samer Jaber, a board-certified dermatologist at Washington Square Dermatology in NYC.. With years of experience treating patients across all life stages, Dr. Jaber shares expert insights on how to maintain youthful, healthy skin at every age.

BEST BEAUTY ROUTINE & TREATMENTS FOR EVERY AGE

Teens (Prevention & Protection)

Primary Concerns: Acne, oil control, sun protection Best Products: Gentle cleansers, niacinamide, lightweight sunscreen Best Treatments:

• Facials – Hydrating or acne-focused treatments to keep breakouts in check
• Chemical Peels – Light salicylic acid peels to unclog pores and brighten skin
• Laser Acne Treatments – Optional for stubborn acne or scarring

Expert Insight: Dr. Kennedy states, “Teens should focus on a simple and consistent skincare routine that focuses on clean, well-moisturized skin that is well protected from the sun. Following these easy-to-follow steps can greatly help prevent the dreaded acne that many young adults face.”

Twenties (Early Anti-Aging & Skin Repair)

Primary Concerns: First fine lines, post-acne marks, hydration Best Products: Vitamin C, retinol, hyaluronic acid, SPF 50+ Best Treatments:

• Microneedling – Boosts collagen and refines skin texture
• Hydrafacials – Deeply hydrates and brightens skin
• IPL – Targets early pigmentation and sun damage

Expert Insight: "Men and women in their 20s tend to consult for fillers to enhance their features, such as their jawline or chin, or to address concerns like smaller lips," says Dr. Jaber. "Injectables can also help soften resting lines before they deepen."

Dr. Kennedy weighs in saying “For young adults in their 20s, they should focus on a simple and consistent skincare routine that focuses on clean, well moisturized skin that is well protected from the sun. Following these easy to follow steps can greatly help prevent the dreaded acne that many young adults face.”

Thirties (Collagen Preservation & Skin Elasticity

Primary Concerns: Fine lines, uneven skin tone, slight sagging Best Products: Peptides, ceramides, antioxidants, stronger retinoids Best Treatments:

• RF Microneedling – Firms skin and stimulates collagen production
• Botox & Fillers – Preventative Botox smooths lines, while fillers restore volume
• Fraxel Laser – Resurfaces skin for a more even tone and texture

Expert Insight: "For 30- to 40-year-olds, we focus on Botox, fillers for areas that may begin to lose volume, and treating sun damage with microneedling or laser treatments," says Dr. Jaber.

According to Dr. Kennedy, “In your 30s, several changes occur in your skin: both hyaluronic acid and collagen production decreases by about 1% per year. This leads to fine lines and wrinkles forming around your eyes and mouth. The best skincare routines to combat this are exfoliation a few times per week, applying an antioxidant serum in morning and of course moisturizers and sun protection. In addition, in office treatments that promote collage production such as microneedling and lasers can reverse the effects of the lost collagen production.”

Forties (Advanced Anti-Aging & Skin Lifting)

Primary Concerns: Wrinkles, volume loss, skin laxity Best Products: Growth factors, richer moisturizers, bakuchiol for sensitive skin Best Treatments:

• Radiofrequency Therapy (RF)– tightens loose skin with lasting effects
• CO₂ Laser – Smooths deep wrinkles and resurfaces skin
• Sculptra or Radiesse – Stimulates collagen for long-term volume restoration

Expert Insight: "Once patients are in their 40s, we see more consultations for Botox and more aggressive lasers, like CO₂ laser, to treat wrinkles and skin laxity," says Dr. Jaber.

“For patients in your 40s the loss of collagen increases and the skin loses its elasticity and deeper wrinkles form. More effective treatments to increase collage production and tighten skin are radiofrequency devices (RF) combined with microneedling, and Nonablative lasers that cause microtrauma to the skin and stimulate its regrowth and a renewed look”, says Dr. Kennedy

Fifties (Skin Strengthening & Restoration)

Primary Concerns: Deeper wrinkles, dryness, sun damage Best Products: Lipids, stem cell serums, anti-inflammatory ingredients Best Treatments:

• Exosome Therapy – Repairs skin at a deep cellular level
• Red Light Therapy – Boosts skin regeneration and reduces inflammation
• PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) – Improves skin texture and promotes healing

Expert Insight: "As patients move into their 50s and 60s, their main concerns are volume loss and skin elasticity. Many are also hesitant about Botox, fearing a ‘frozen’ look, so we often take a lighter approach," says Dr. Jaber.

Dr. Kennedy adds “For patients in their 50s, age spots and skin pigmentation as well as volume loss in the face are frequent concerns of patients.  Nd:Yag is a particularly effective treatment for age spots and skin pigmentation.  Routine red-light therapy has made terrific advances to date and is now an excellent method for boosting skin regeneration and reducing inflammation and pigmentation”

Sixties (Supporting Skin Health & Firmness

Primary Concerns: Thinning skin, extreme dryness, loss of elasticity Best Products: Barrier repair creams, omega-rich oils, deeply hydrating serums Best Treatments:

• RadioFrequency Therapy (RF) – Firms skin without causing irritation
• Oxygen Facials – Hydrates and restores a youthful glow
• Soft Tissue Fillers – Restores lost volume in a subtle, natural way

Expert Insight: "Using estrogen cream can help increase skin luminosity for those going through menopause," advises Dr. Jaber.

“CO2 laser skin resurfacing is a laser that can address the deeper wrinkles brought on by thinning of the skin. It's particularly effective for older adults as it initiates a wound healing cascade, activating growth factors within the epidermis” says Dr. Kennedy

Seventies & Beyond (Nourishing & Protecting Skin)

Primary Concerns: Fragile skin, deep wrinkles, hydration Best Products: Ceramide-rich creams, antioxidant serums, SPF Best Treatments:

• LED Light Therapy – Stimulates skin renewal without irritation
• Deep Hydration Facials – Prevents excessive dryness and maintains skin barrier health
• Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) – stimulate collage production and reduces visible effects of sun damage

Expert Insight: "Sunscreen is the one thing I wish every patient used religiously. I can always tell the difference between sun-worshipers and those who have protected their skin," says Dr. Jaber.

“For patients in their 70s looking for a more gentle treatment to improve their skin glow and reduce sun damage, Intense Pulsed Light Therapy offers one of the best results with minimal downtime or discomfort” says Dr. Kennedy

THE BOTTOM LINE

The best skincare routine isn’t about chasing trends—it’s about understanding what your skin needs at every stage of life. Whether it’s preventing acne in your teens, preserving collagen in your 30s, or focusing on skin strengthening in your 50s, the right treatments can help you maintain a youthful, healthy glow at any age.

Want to take your skincare to the next level? Start with SPF, retinol, and a consistent routine. And when you're ready, in-office treatments can help refine, restore, and rejuvenate your skin—no matter your age.