In the days of our parents, very few women used anti-aging products and even fewer used them before the age of 40. Now, dermatologists, research scientists, and nutritionists are recommending we start much, much earlier. Our skin will start to show signs of aging during or mid to late 20's. These may not be the sagging skin and deep wrinkles that we see on so many before and afters, but it will include sun spots, skin discoloration, and wrinkles starting around the eyes and mouth. Thank goodness we are only in our 20's and all of these can be corrected while staving off those other nasty bits of aging as we, well, age.

Retinol

Retinol is one of the best products for our face. Period. Retinol helps speed up the cellular turnover rate- something that continues to slow past our teens. It will also increase collagen levels; something else that diminishes as we age and is needed for healthy, young skin.

Over the counter retinal products are enough for our young, under 40 skin. Too much retinol can dry our skin out and even cause long-term damage. Good, over the counter, retinol products will have lower levels of retinal that will not harm our skin, but will instead, rejuvenate skin cells, increase the skin's collagen-matrix, and even reduce acne by decreasing pore size and removing layers of dead skin.

Tip 1: Look for a OTC retinol product that uses soy compounds. This will reduce redness associated with retinol by reducing the activation of the protein which causes skin sensitivity.

Tip 2: Only use retinol at night. The sun breaks retinol down, using retinol during the day will diminish the effects and waste that precious product.

Vitamin C

We have established that collagen is needed for healthy skin cells, but did you know that vitamin C is needed for collagen? Yes, vitamin C is your superhero when it comes to keeping your skin's collagen-matrix strong. For a long time we thought that vitamin C was only necessary to help fend off free radicals from our skin. Now, it looks like that handy vitamin C does a lot more. This wonder vitamin is also needed for the synthesis of pre-collagen, the precursor to that amazing protein that keeps our connective tissue strong.

Vitamin C can be gotten in multiple ways, but they two that are most beneficial for our bodies and our skin is through supplements and topical creams. Like any product for our bodies, natural is better. Synthesized vitamin C does not have the phytonutrients that our bodies need. Phytonutrients have been deemed important all the way back to the time of Hippocrates because of the anti-innflamatories and antioxidants they posses.

The best places to use a topical cream would be around the eyes, on the parentheses around the mouth, and the forehead.

Tip 1 : Organic is best. If you choose to take your vitamin C through supplements, find one that is organic and non-synthesized.

Tip 2: Buy new cream. When mixed with liquid, vitamin C has a 30-day shelf life. You you do not know when the cream was made, do not buy it. I opt for a vitamin C product that is mixed upon purchase. That way, I know I have 30-days to use it all up.

Sunscreen

And you thought that kids using anti-aging products was too young... Turns out that one of the greatest anti-aging product for our skin has been slathered on us since baby-hood. A study published in the Archives of Dermatology found that sun damage ages our skin more than smoking or alcohol. Signs of sun damage can include sun spots, fine lines around the eyes and mouth, and growths upon the skin. All of these can begin to appear as early as our young 20's.

It is much harder to reverse the signs of sun damage than it is to reduce the sun's damaging effects on our skin. Driving, walking in and out of stores, and being near windows during the day are all possible ways to increase the sun's effects on our skin- it is not just time spent on the beach or hours outside.

Using sunscreen daily can drastically reduce the effects of aging on our skin. When it comes to our face, the sunscreen we use on our body does not fit the bill. This sunscreen usually has plenty of oils and harsh chemicals that can harm sensitive skin and cause clogged pores. No thanks. Instead, use a product that is specifically meant for the face and has an UVA and UVB SPF of 50+ . What is in our make-up is great, but more is better.

Tip 1: Use a facial sunscreen. Facial sunscreens do not have all the oils and chemicals that harm our skin. The right one will not even burn those with sensitive skin (cough cough, me). If your skin burns or feels warm at all when you put sunscreen on, you have skin sensitive to the chemicals in it. Facial sunscreens are less harmful and can be used all over the body for those with super sensitive skin.

Tip 2: Apply before make-up. There are a lot of facial sunscreens on the market that can act like a primer. Apply them before applying your make-up and let it dry for a few minutes. If needed, apply to your entire body before using any other lotion.

Use the Good Stuff at Night

Our skin does all of its maintenance and regeneration during the night. Since night is the time when our skin is doing the most work, it makes sense to use your best products at then. Products with collagen and elastin will go to better use at night since that is when the collagen and elastin will be used.

Both collagen and elastin are proteins that are used in the generation of youthful skin. These two wonders are responsible for keeping skin wrinkle free and reproducing at a higher rate. If you have to choose between using your good stuff during the day or night, choose night. You will see faster results and reduce puffy skin, fine lines, and clogged pores.

Use a Toner

Using a toner may seem counter-intuitive since it is one more thing for our budgets to fit in, but, it will help reduce clogged pores and keep our face wash around for longer. To truly get a clean face, we should be washing it for at least five minutes. This is a large hunk of time and most everyone opts for the quicker thirty second wash. Toner comes in handy because it removes all of the dirt and gunk that our face wash may leave behind. Toners will also help calm the skin and reduce pore size. The best part is that most toners will last two months or more and also reduce the amount of face wash we use!

Use Retinal at Night

Retinal is a wonder product that is great for people fighting acne and for those fighting wrinkles. It is no wonder then than that this wonder product is also wonderfully expensive. Save your wallet a bit of pain and only use your retinal products at night. The reasons for this night procedure are two-fold. First off is the already discussed reason of our skin regenerating at night. It is best to use an expensive product when that product will get the most bang for your buck.

Secondly, UV rays decrease the efficacy of retinal almost completely. Most products that have retinal in them have a very small amount, by wearing it during the day, we are reducing it's potency to almost nothing. This is the greatest reason to only use retinal at night. Not only will the product last twice as long, but you will see twice the results with half the expense!

Use a Good Face Wash and Face Lotion

If you are going to splurge on any skincare products, splurge on the face wash and anti-aging lotion. These two products are the ones that will effect your skin the most and the two that will lead to healthier skin. A good face wash is vital. It may seem like more out of the gate, but you should only need a miniscule amount compared to the drug store brands that call for quite a bit more. Higher quality face washes will reduce clogged pores and are made to keep nutrients in your skin. Most should last anywhere from six weeks to three months depending on the size.

Just like face wash, a good anti-wrinkle cream will go way further than the $10 dollar counterpart. It is the age-old saying, you get what you pay for. There are some great Prestige anti-wrinkle creams that will last six weeks and cost as little as $50. Use these at night only and you will be so much happier for the $50 investment that really helps your skin, over the $10 that does not live up to any expectations.

Following these quick tips should keep your budget in check and get higher results from our skincare regimen! We only have one chance with our skin, better to treat it right and not break the bank doing it. If you have a tight budget, spend what are are able to on a good lotion and face wash, then use it sparingly and only at night. The best of everything is what we usually want, but if that is not feasible, skimp on the toner. By following these simple rules, you could be spending as little as $25 a month on high quality, skin changing, anti-wrinkle skincare products.

3 Anti-Aging Products to Use Before 30