Why My Skin Hated Me in My 20s
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My 20s were a skincare disaster.
I'm not being dramatic. I genuinely look back at photos from that decade and wonder how my skin survived the absolute chaos I put it through.
Between over-scrubbing, product hoarding, and completely ignoring what my skin was screaming at me, I made every mistake in the book. And then some.
But here's the thing: I learned. Eventually. And now my skin is better in my 30s than it ever was in my 20s. So if you're currently making the same mistakes I did, don't worry. There's hope.
Mistake #1: Thinking "Clean" Meant "Stripped"
I used to wash my face until it felt squeaky clean. Like, literally squeaky. I thought that tight, almost painful feeling meant my skin was really, truly clean.
Spoiler alert: That's not clean. That's stripped. And stripped skin is angry skin.
I was using harsh cleansers twice a day, sometimes three times if I felt "oily." My skin would feel tight for hours after washing. I thought that was normal. It's not.
What I learned: Your skin should never feel tight after cleansing. If it does, your cleanser is too harsh. A good cleanser removes dirt and oil without stripping your skin's natural barrier.
Mistake #2: Exfoliating Like My Life Depended On It
If a little exfoliation is good, more must be better, right? Wrong. So, so wrong.
I was using a physical scrub every single day. Sometimes twice a day. My logic was that if I scrubbed hard enough, I could literally scrub away my problems.
Instead, I scrubbed away my skin barrier. My face was red, irritated, and somehow both dry AND breaking out. I couldn't figure out why all this "deep cleaning" wasn't working.
What I learned: Over-exfoliation destroys your skin barrier. And once that's compromised, everything goes wrong. Now I exfoliate maybe 2-3 times a week, max. And I'm gentle about it.
Mistake #3: Buying Every Product That Promised Miracles
My bathroom looked like a Sephora exploded in it. I had drawers full of half-used products, all promising to be "the one" that would fix my skin.
Vitamin C serum! Retinol! AHAs! BHAs! Niacinamide! I wanted it all, and I wanted it now. So I used it all. At the same time.
My skin was so confused. And angry. So, so angry.
What I learned: More products doesn't mean better skin. In fact, using too many active ingredients at once is a recipe for disaster. Now I keep it simple and introduce new products one at a time.
Mistake #4: Ignoring My Skin Type
I have combination skin. But I refused to accept it.
When my T-zone was oily, I'd use products for oily skin. When my cheeks were dry, I'd switch to products for dry skin. I was constantly switching products based on how my skin felt that day.
No wonder my skin was confused.
What I learned: Your skin type is your skin type. You can't change it by using different products every day. Once I accepted my combination skin and found products that worked for it, everything got better.
Mistake #5: Skipping Sunscreen (I Know, I Know)
I didn't wear sunscreen unless I was going to the beach. And even then, I'd forget to reapply.
I thought I was invincible. I thought sun damage was something that happened to other people. I thought a little color was "healthy."
Now I look at photos from my early 20s and can literally see the sun damage developing. It makes me want to go back in time and slap the sunscreen onto my younger self.
What I learned: Sunscreen. Every. Single. Day. No excuses. It's the single most important thing you can do for your skin. Period.
Mistake #6: Popping Everything
See a pimple? Pop it. See a blackhead? Squeeze it. See literally anything on my face? Pick at it.
I have scars from my 20s that I'll probably have forever. All because I couldn't keep my hands off my face.
What I learned: Your hands are not sterile. Your nails are not extraction tools. Leave it alone or see a professional. The temporary satisfaction of popping is not worth the permanent scarring.
Mistake #7: Thinking Expensive = Better
I spent so much money on luxury skincare in my 20s. I thought if I just bought the right $200 cream, all my problems would disappear.
Meanwhile, my skin barrier was destroyed, I was over-exfoliating, and I wasn't wearing sunscreen. No cream was going to fix that.
What I learned: Expensive doesn't always mean effective. Some of the best products I use now are affordable Korean skincare products that focus on gentle, effective ingredients.
The Restart: What I Wish I'd Done Instead
If I could go back and give my 20-year-old self a skincare routine, here's what it would be:
Morning:
1. Gentle cleanser (not stripping!)
2. Hydrating toner
3. Simple moisturizer
4. SUNSCREEN (non-negotiable)
Evening:
1. Oil cleanser (to remove sunscreen and makeup)
2. Gentle water-based cleanser
3. Hydrating toner
4. One treatment product (retinol OR vitamin C OR whatever, but just ONE)
5. Moisturizer
That's it. Simple, consistent, gentle.
The Bottom Line
Your skin doesn't need to be punished into submission. It needs to be treated gently and consistently.
I spent my entire 20s fighting my skin, trying to force it to be something it wasn't. Now I work with my skin instead of against it, and the difference is incredible.
If you're in your 20s and making these same mistakes, don't beat yourself up. I made them all and my skin recovered. Yours will too.
Just start now. Be gentle. Be consistent. And for the love of all that is holy, wear your sunscreen.
Your 30-year-old self will thank you. Trust me. 💕
The Gentle Restart Routine
Ready to stop making the same mistakes I did? Here's the simple, gentle routine that actually works:
🧼 Morning Cleanser
Axis-y Quinoa One-Step Balanced Gel Cleanser
This is the gentle cleanser I wish I'd discovered in my 20s. It's pH-balanced with quinoa extract and calendula to cleanse without stripping. No more tight, uncomfortable feeling—just clean, balanced skin that's ready for the rest of your routine.
💧 Hydrating Toner
Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner
After years of over-exfoliating, this toner taught me what hydration actually feels like. It's soothing, calming, and helps repair your skin barrier instead of destroying it. Layer it 2-3 times for that plump, healthy glow.
✨ Treatment Serum
Axis-y Dark Spot Glow Serum
One serum. That's it. This helps fade the dark spots and sun damage from all those mistakes without overwhelming your skin. Gentle enough for daily use, effective enough to actually see results.
☀️ Sunscreen (Non-Negotiable!)
Torriden Balanceful Cica Tone-up Sun Cream
This is the sunscreen that finally made me stop skipping SPF. No white cast, no greasy feeling, and it actually makes my skin look better. If I could only go back and change one thing from my 20s, it would be wearing this every single day.
Remember: Simple and consistent beats complicated and sporadic every single time. Your skin doesn't need 15 products—it needs the right products used consistently. Start here, be patient, and give your skin the gentle care it deserves. 🌟