A 54-Year-Old Esthetician On The 3 Tips She Wishes She Knew In Her 20s

Make no mistake: Securing firm, youthful skin is a lifelong journey. After all, isn't it far easier to prevent fine lines from cropping up than treat each existing etch and fold? 

That's not to say you need to adopt an "anti-aging" skin care routine the second you turn 25, but a few habits are helpful to implement the earliest you can.

Just take it from Tammy Fender: Here, the 54-year-old holistic esthetician reveals the skin care tips she wishes she knew in her 20s. If you haven't yet implemented these practices, you might want to give them a whirl (better late than never!): 

No matter your age, lifestyle, or skin type, you need to hydrate your skin—period and full stop. Moisture is crucial for barrier function, which is why improper hydration can lead to premature skin aging, like sagging and wrinkles, down the road. 

That said, invest in a good moisturizer to quench your skin and feed it the nutrients it craves. "Many 20-year-olds I see in my treatment room don't yet know about the value of a nourishing moisturizer to help the skin come into balance and retain its moisture," Fender explains. "Citrus essences are especially good at supporting young skin in this way, and are at the base of my lightweight Luminous Morning Crème." 

Specifically, the confection features sweet orange and neroli, which boast more than a few skin-balancing benefits: A 2012 laboratory study1 found that the compounds in neroli oil have antibacterial and antifungal properties, which makes it a great choice for acne-prone skin; another review2 published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences described neroli as a "strong antioxidant," so it can also produce a noticeable glow. 

Feel free to browse our other favorite moisturizers here, for your dewiest, bounciest skin yet. 

"When I was younger, I used to think that more was better and overused products or used too many at once," says Fender. "Over time, I've learned that holistic skin care works best with nearly homeopathic doses."

Remember: Less is more in skin care. Layering serum after serum after serum will not only overwhelm your skin barrier and lead to irritation but also may render those formulas ineffective—seems counterintuitive, no? As a general rule, I like to stick to one active serum (i.e., one with peptides, retinol, or antioxidants) and then focus on restoring moisture. 

Of course, it's never too late to introduce healthy skin habits. If you're well past your 20s, please feel free to embrace these three practices! Fender still swears by these tips today—even for the professionals, hindsight is 20/20.