Anyone who’s talked to me about skincare knows I love a bargain. My beauty stash mainly consists of affordable products from brands like The Ordinary (I particularly love the Natural Moisturising Factor + HA, £4.90),
The Inkey List (Fulvic Acid Brightening Cleanser, £10.99.
Great for breakouts) and Aldi’s skincare brand Lacura (their latest Vitamin C serum has worked wonders for my pigmentation). I don’t think you have to break out to get effective skincare. Of course, luxury products have their merits too.
Many contain expensive and rare ingredients, are formulated and tested by the best dermatologists in the business, and are packaged to last longer (not to mention look great on your #shelf).
Despite my experience with expensive buys as a beauty editor, I always seem to go for the cheaper option – but there’s one luxury brand that still stands out.
If you’re a skincare enthusiast with an Instagram account, you’ve probably spotted the little blue bottles, tubes and capsules. Google searches for the brand have increased by 180% in recent weeks, with TikTok users
incorporating the products into their popular skincare routines.
So what’s so special about it? Decree is signed by Dr. Anita Sturnham, a GP with a special interest in dermatology and aesthetics. She often shares valuable skincare tips on social media, from her morning to evening
routine to finding the best ingredients when buying products.
It’s fair to say that Dr. Steenam knows her field – including what her patients want: clearer, healthier skin. I first heard about Decree from other beauty editors, who praised the plumping benefits of the Peptide Moisturising Veil+
(£115) and Treat Tincture (£130) for brightening dull skin.
Admittedly, the prices are a bit shocking, with some products costing hundreds of pounds. But I have to say, there are some real gems in the range. First up we have Decree Light Cleanse, £44 (£15 for 30ml). According to Dr.
Sturnham, your morning cleanse should be nourishing, hydrating and non-drying.
Excess oil can build up overnight and night cream residue can clog the skin. However, morning cleansing should be much gentler than evening cleansing, as you don’t need to remove the day’s dirt or makeup (unless you wear it to bed)! I really love this cleanser.
Not only does it smell luxurious (like rose water), but it cleanses without drying it out, leaving my combination skin glowing (it contains hydrating glycerin and rose seed oil). The sealed pump means you don’t get splashed in the shower or the ingredients are exposed to the elements, which means they last longer.
If you don’t want to buy separate products, you can double cleanse at night (cleanse, rinse and repeat), as this will also remove heavy foundation and mascara. If your skin type is oily, acne-prone or combination, and you’re looking for a moisturiser that provides plenty of hydration without clogging your pores, you’ll love the Peptide Moisturising Veil (£115). It’s one of the more expensive products in the range, but I agree with all the five-star reviews (and there are a lot). The main ingredients are peptides (essentially proteins) that repair the skin and give it elasticity. Although there’s no tint, the skin instantly looks more vibrant, radiant, healthy and youthful. It’s also great for sun protection and makeup, although I find I can skip foundation altogether if I use it regularly morning and night. You’ve probably heard a lot about Decree’s serums, but the Treat Tincture (£130) is the most popular because it contains this year’s popular ingredient: retinol, more specifically hydroxypinacol retinyl ester.
Don’t let the complicated name put you off. Supposedly, the ingredient works similarly to prescription retinol, without causing the typical irritation that manifests as skin irritation, flaking, redness and sensitivity that keep you forever turned off.
When my Differin (a drug used by dermatologists to treat acne, pigmentation and fine lines) ran out, I added it to my skincare routine and the results were impressive. While it’s not as effective as the prescription version, using it every other night prolongs the smoothing, plumping and cleansing effects.
My only criticism? I wish the bottle was three times bigger. Finally, I recommend the Weekly Decree, £120, two-step acid peel and nourishing mask. In my opinion, this is the next best alternative to a professional facial (according to
Given the prices in London, it’s much cheaper in the long run).
The Express Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) treatment is very effective and can cause a tingling sensation in the skin, making it look very red. But it first exfoliates the top layer of skin, making it look brighter and fresher.
If you are sensitive or dry, I would recommend avoiding this product altogether (perhaps opting for a gentler skin acid), but if your skin is oily or congested, or you want to treat a rough skin texture, this is a great product.
Applying the mask afterwards feels like a treat, and together they give the skin a glow that other acid treatments on the market don’t have. Although I am a big fan of Decree, I know it is expensive. If you are looking for similarly effective skincare products with dermatological qualifications (just a little cheaper),
I recommend the CeraVe skincare range. The Hydrating Cleanser (£9.50) is great value for money and has the same smart formula as the Light Cleanse, with ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to repair and moisturize dry skin,
while removing makeup, oil and everyday grime.
You might also like Face Theory, especially the Regena C20 Vitamin C Serum (£19.99), which is affordable and effective.
You can also try the skin cosmetics brand Pharmaceris, which offers a wide range of skin care products from cleansers to serums to sunscreens (including high-quality retinol) at affordable prices.
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.
