When I was in my twenties, I thought I was doing everything right. I used the strongest acne treatments I could find. Stripped my skin with harsh cleansers. Dried out breakouts with alcohol-based spot treatments. I was convinced that if I just scrubbed hard enough, my skin would stay clear.

My friend Lu’s story isn’t so different. When she was 21 years old, she got off hormonal birth control, and her skin completely freaked out. After a wild goose chase in skincare, her sister-in-law recommended two Botnia products; a simple two-step routine completely transformed her skin. Lu discovered, like I did, that your skin doesn’t need a million things. It just needs simple nourishing care.

What’s Actually Happening to Your Skin in Your Twenties

After the teen years, your skin is still changing. You might see fewer breakouts since hormones are calming down, but may notice some other shifts as well. Here’s what I wish someone had told me back then:

Your oil production is changing – If you had oily skin in your teens, it might start to balance out. But if you keep using drying products, your skin will overcompensate and keep producing excess oil.

Acne is still a thing – And it’s often hormonal. Chin, jawline, and cheek breakouts are common in your twenties, and they’re usually tied to stress, diet, and cycle changes.

You might notice discoloration – Those post-acne marks? They linger longer now because your skin isn’t turning over as quickly as it did in high school.

First signs of aging begin – Fine lines aren’t the enemy. Expression lines start to appear, but instead of fearing them, focus on supporting your skin so it stays strong and resilient.

How to care for skin in your twenties

If I could go back and tell my 20-year-old self one thing, it would be simplify. Your skin doesn’t need to be forced into submission—it wants to be nourished. I started Botnia because I wanted to help people and heal skin; these are the areas of care I tell my guests in their twenties to focus on:

Protect and build up your barrier

Let’s end the days of stripping your skin. Your skin should feel balanced, not dry or oily. That tight, squeaky-clean feeling after washing your face is a sign that the natural oils on your skin have been washed off. 

Cleanse with Balancing Oil Cleanser. I promise, it won’t make you more oily. And if you need a deeper clean, double cleanse using Gentle Cleanser. Then use a toner or hydrosol like Rose Geranium Hydrosol to bring the pH level of your skin back into balance. 

Use actives, only if needed

If you’re targeting specific skin concerns, these products are formulated to meet your skin in those moments. Clarity Oil for breakouts, Wisdom Oil for antioxidant and sun support, Well Serum for preventative care. These aren’t necessities, but if you deal with specific conditions, it never hurts to have them on hand.

Add in hydration

The biggest mistake my younger guests make is skipping a moisturizer in their routine. Adding in a face cream helps to create a physical barrier on the skin that protects you from the elements and keeps your skin looking plump. 

Daily Face Cream is the goldilocks of creams, not too heavy and not too light. Daily Face Cream Light is for those who need just a touch of hydration. Or try a combo of Hydrating Serum with one of our facial oils for those who get congested from emulsifiers in face creams.

Don’t forget sun protection all day, every day. Rule of thumb: if you’re heading outside for more than 30 minutes or during the peak hours of 10 am to 4 pm, always wear sunscreen.

Putting it all together, here’s Lu’s simple four-step skincare routine that keeps her skin in check:

AM/PM: Gentle Cleanser, Rose Geranium Hydrosol, Well Serum, Clarity Oil if she’s breaking out.

Take the skin quiz and build your own customized skincare routine with a free consultation from Botnia’s master estheticians. 

TL;DR?

One word: simplify. These curated sets target specific skin concerns and each includes a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. It’s a great place to start a new routine and save 10% when you order our skincare bundled. If you’re the choose-your-own-adventure type, our travel-sized products make it easy to pick and choose your skincare without overcommitting.

Lessons from a 20-something:

“Through exploration of different skincare and trying different trends over the years, I’ve always come back to Botnia. It’s been the only thing that’s actually worked. I couldn’t imagine using anything else on my skin.” –Lu

Your twenties are a time of discovery which alone can be overwhelming. Don’t let your skincare add to the stress. Keep it simple with just three to four products. Creating habits that help carry your skin through all its phases is key in this stage of life. Skincare doesn’t need to be complicated, it just has to work.

Xo,
Justine