I’ve always had oily skin for as long as I can remember. Non-wet, non-shiny, non-shiny, model-like – greasy. Not many people assure me that I’ll age gracefully, because that’s enough to make it not annoying. Even in the winter,
my T-zone is almost reflective and my makeup disappears by midday. That’s why purifying masks and lightweight moisturizers are the cornerstones of my skincare routine, so two new favorites are strikingly entering the discussion:
Sand & Sky’s Oil-Controlling Purifying Moisturizer and Purifying Mask.
The Australian beauty brand is behind some of the hottest products in recent history. Take, for example, this highly rated pink clay mask and their new Tasmanian Spring Water range. But for now, Sand & Sky’s new Oil Control
range is sure to be your end-of-summer MVP, or for my oily friends, year-round MVP.
Sand & Sky Oil Control Cleansing Moisturizer, £34.90
The first product I tried was the Oil Control Moisturizer. I immediately liked the packaging. I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but it doesn’t hurt to look at it in the bathroom sink every morning. As you can see
from the texture swatch above, this moisturizer has a light gel-cream consistency, which my skin immediately liked. It feels thirst-quenching but slightly cooling when applied – perfect for summer.
It contains niacinamide, salicylic acid, prebiotics, and geranium (an Australian native plant with anti-inflammatory and calming properties). A common misconception about oily skin is that it doesn’t need moisturizer. However,
not keeping your skin hydrated can actually cause your sebaceous glands to overproduce sebum to compensate. (TL;DR: Moisturizing oily skin is still important!).
The Sand & Sky Moisturizer feels really good on my skin and I would definitely use it again, but I can’t say for sure that it made me feel less greasy throughout the day (but that’s a big challenge). As a lightweight moisturizer
that didn’t surprise me, it performed well.
Sand & Sky Oil Control Cleansing Mask, £30.90
Next up is the next product, the cleansing mask. I love oil-softening masks, so I had a feeling I’d love Sand & Sky’s white clay formula for acne-prone skin (it also comes with a tapered applicator brush for added spa facial
vibes). The product is the color of pistachio ice cream and has similar ingredients to moisturizer for maximum oil absorption. My skin is not particularly sensitive, but I felt a slight tingling sensation when I applied it on my
T-zone and cheeks. The instructions say to leave it on for 10 minutes, but the first time I tried it, I rinsed it off after five minutes just to be safe. Soon after, I noticed a noticeable change in the appearance of my pores.
The best thing is that my skin doesn’t feel super tight or dry afterwards – just balanced and smooth. I feel like my skin absorbs my serum and moisturizer instantly and any little breakouts look like they’re deflated. I haven’t
been using it long enough to see if it’s significantly reduced my oil glands or lightened my acne scars, but so far I love it when my skin feels extra congested.
Final thoughts
Priced at £34.90 and £30.90 respectively, Sand & Sky’s Transparent Moisturizer and Transparent Mask are by no means cheap products. However, if you’re looking for a physical product that’s a step above the high street brands but
not as expensive as luxury, I can highly recommend these. You can also save almost £10 on the brand’s Oil Control Skin Balancing Kit (which retails for £65.80). Go out and shine (but not too much – that’s where this stuff comes
in).
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.
