What is second puberty? And what does it mean for my skin?
Puberty. For some, just thinking about it brings up very vivid images: stubborn acne, general restlessness, and the all-consuming crushes of high school. (I wonder what Brandon, my eighth-grade geography student, is up to these days?)
So when rumors of a “second puberty” circulated online, I cringed. Just a little. If you, too, make a big effort to have a happy, healthy complexion, you might also be wondering: What does this mean for my skin?
What is second puberty?
Well, the good news is that it’s not true. Somehow, it is. Let me explain.
While (first) puberty refers to the huge physical changes that occur during puberty, second puberty is a colloquial term with no medical basis. Second puberty is best described as the very common, very natural hormonal fluctuations that occur in your twenties and thirties. This is often exacerbated by life stages like switching or stopping birth control, which also often occur during this exploratory phase. (Our bodies are still growing, forming, and becoming what we’re supposed to be!)
(Sometimes there’s no way to know what’s going on with your body other than to consult a doctor, so if you’re experiencing puberty-like symptoms, we recommend putting down your Zappo and making an appointment.)
What does this mean for my skin?
Acne
Many factors can cause puberty-like pimples to develop in adulthood (whiteheads), including stress, poor diet, birth control, and health conditions like endometriosis or PCOS.
Here’s how you can help:
Use acne-fighting ingredients like willow bark extract (a natural form of salicylic acid) to deep cleanse your skin without stripping it of its natural oils. Use chemical peels regularly to relieve congestion, and use a detoxifying mud mask 1-2 nights a week to push impurities to the surface and prevent recurrence.
Loss of Elasticity
Changes in skin elasticity are an inevitable part of the aging process, as our collagen levels slowly decline throughout adulthood. Dryness and dehydration often go hand in hand, as your skin becomes thinner and therefore produces less oil.
Here’s how you can help:
Use a hydrating serum on top of a nourishing facial oil to combat dry patches and protect the skin barrier from moisture loss. Finally, apply a firming face cream to visibly reduce fine lines and ensure your skin stays soft.
Vitamin A also boosts collagen production, which speeds up skin cell turnover. So it’s an effective option for anyone looking to reduce wrinkles, combat acne, and reduce dark spots.
Sun Damage
Since second puberty occurs a little later, you’ll have accumulated some sun damage, whether it’s accidental or not. As a result, your skin may develop more freckles, sun spots, or hyperpigmentation.
Here’s how you can help:
Protect your skin by wearing sunscreen every day (do we need to remind you?). Incorporate a vitamin C serum into your routine to fade dark spots, fight free radicals, and avoid potential damage from environmental pollutants.
Be sure to regularly monitor new and existing moles on your body so you can spot them at your next skin check and make sure nothing is turning ominous or cancerous.
Can I prevent a second puberty?
No. That’s okay.
While there are ways to take care of your skin and manage the effects of second (third, fourth, fifth…) puberty, your body changes as you age and so does the way it looks and feels.
It’s a privilege to know our bodies and be able to take care of them. At every stage.
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.
