11 Conversations All Relationships Have in the First Year of Dating
Honeymoons, first fights, first sleep together, there are a lot of important moments and “firsts” in the first year of dating someone. You’ll also have a lot of important conversations, so we’ve listed the conversations you can expect in the first year of dating.
1) Is it time to meet the family?
At least one of you will be daunted at this point, both when it comes to introductions and when it comes to settling in with the in-laws. I have a very close and warm family and I have no problem introducing new people, but getting to know your partner’s family can definitely be a scary moment. This conversation comes up at different times for different couples, depending on how close their families are emotionally and geographically.
2) Do you want to have kids one day?
This is usually a casual conversation where one partner tries to get a feel for what the other wants in life and if they think the relationship is serious. It’s worth stressing that this shouldn’t be a scary conversation, kids could be a decade away, but it’s important to know that you’re both on the same page.
3) Religion
Whether you are an atheist, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Buddhist, or whatever you feel about the concept of religion, it will come up in conversation at some point. Whether it is understanding each other’s values or traditions, or finding similarities or differences between you, this is what will happen. If you belong to different religions, don’t be nervous, accept the multicultural nature of your love, and understand each other and your upbringing.
4) Do you trust me?
You can trust someone 100%, but you may want to hear from the other person that they trust you too. Trust is essential in a serious relationship, and there is nothing worse than jealousy, which will rear its ugly head at some point.
5) What makes you happy?
Whether it’s go-karting on the weekends, thrift shopping, watching football games, or eating out at fancy restaurants, it’s important to understand what they enjoy in life. This is a great way to find things you both enjoy, but I also think it’s important to be interested in each other’s passions. If they are not open to your interests, then maybe they are not as interested in you as you think.
6) Tell me about your ex
This is a dangerous topic that won’t come up in all situations, but it’s one that at least one of you will bring up often. Regardless of how long ago you broke up, why you broke up, or how long you’ve been together, this can be a natural way to get to know her, but it’s also a potential jealousy topic if the answer triggers something. It’s important to discuss this early and let bygones be bygones. Exes shouldn’t be a frequent part of conversation between the two of you, but they shouldn’t cause arguments when they come up either (unless the conversation is “Ah, my girlfriend used to like doing this”).
7) Where are we going on New Year’s Eve?
Whether it’s a wild night out on the town, a house party with friends, or just a glass of prosecco in front of the TV, New Year’s Eve is a popular choice for couples to kiss and ring in the new year together. Make sure you’re both free, because if one of you prefers seeing friends over the other, or has other plans, this can quickly become a point of contention.
8) Did you just flirt with her/him?
Okay, the topic of jealousy comes up again, but it’s important to talk about. No relationship is without a bump or two, and at some point you’ll notice them (or they’ll notice you) talking to someone in a familiar way. While this may be completely harmless, it can feel like a stab in the heart, and they may impulsively burst into verbal diarrhea when they act as if they don’t care, when in reality they want to get to the bottom of every detail of how you met and got along. Is there a serious connection.
9) How much do you make?
Whether it’s a direct mention or a casual reference to the subject and your industry, it’s natural to want to know how much they make compared to you. This doesn’t necessarily have a negative connotation or mean prying into someone’s life, but it’s fun to get to know a person in every possible way.
10) You don’t like *enter a dish you like*
Whether it’s cheese pie crust or chicken curry, you’ll eventually find a dish that you can’t and won’t believe you don’t like. Hopefully it’s not your favorite dish, because that can be awkward at dinner, but it’s nothing to cry about. More good food for you! Hopefully they like other dishes from the same source so they still have some options at the restaurant. For example, someone may not like sushi, but they can still try the chicken fried steak.
11) Do I look pretty/am I fat/are my teeth white/am I too skinny?
You can choose whether it’s a man or a woman and this topic will come up. If they have yellow teeth, we don’t recommend pointing that out or just buying them a charcoal teeth whitening product, but maybe mention that you buy some yourself and offer to buy them some too.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
