What is the right age to start skincare actives?

This is of the most common questions I get. And it’s tricky because it highly depends on your skin issues and skin type, but this is a general guide:

• Vitamin C Serum: early 20s (and remember to find one with l-ascorbic acid!)

• Retinol: mid 20s (or earlier if you are struggling with acne and your derm recommends it for you)

• Hyaluronic acid: any age (and always apply on damp skin)

• Peptides: mid 30s

• AHA: mid 30s

• Salicylic acid: teens if needed for acne (this works best for comedonal acne)

• Benzoyl peroxide: teens if needed for acne (this works best for cystic acne)