Article by Maria Weidich

Photos courtesy of Central Wellness 

Our skin is our body’s largest organ and a visible feedback system, revealing internal health, stress, and emotional strain. With time, collagen and elastin production slow, cell turnover decreases, and hormonal changes become more noticeable. Sun exposure, stress, sleep, and eating habits add up, too. While nobody needs a 12-step skincare routine, there are basic steps that, when practiced consistently, can create long-term change and help us age beautifully.  

 Just as our skin is constantly changing, so should our skincare. Each decade brings new challenges, be it acne in your 20s or concerns about skin firmness and skin cancer vigilance in your 50s. No matter your age, consistent habits early on can set you up for healthy skin later. 

Take it from the experts: aging well isn’t about erasing every line or chasing a younger version of yourself. “Aging well is not about perfection,” stresses Carrie Cunnington, Lead Esthetician at Central Wellness in Billings. “It’s about supporting skin health, preserving your natural features and helping you look vibrant, rested and confident at every stage of life.” 

“We often say we want our clients to age beautifully,” adds Janine Griffin, Central Wellness Co-Owner. And without a doubt, beautiful and healthy skin is never about one product or a single treatment, Janine says. “It’s about consistency, prevention, and using the right combination of skincare and treatments for your skin’s changing needs.” 

For many, the best place to begin is with a simple consultation. “Healthy skin isn’t one-size-fits-all, Carrie advises. “Let the experts help guide you on the best treatments and skin care for your skin type, concerns, and goals. And always be honest with your provider about what you’re willing to do at home.” 

“Our role is not to change someone’s face or make them look different,” Janine assures. “It’s to help them feel confident, refreshed, and beautiful like themselves. When clients feel seen, informed, and supported, confidence naturally follows, and pressure has no place in that process.” 

In Your 20s 

Skin Goal: Prevention and Protection 

What’s Happening: Skin is typically at its healthiest and most resilient. Collagen and elastin levels remain high, cell turnover is efficient and the skin often appears firm and radiant. However, this is also the time when daily habits begin to matter most. UV exposure, inconsistent skincare, poor sleep, stress, dehydration, and lifestyle choices can all quietly begin to affect long-term skin quality. 

Focus On: Daily sun protection, maintain a healthy skin barrier, and establish a consistent skin care routine.  

Recommendations: Medical-grade SPF, gentle cleansers, lightweight moisturizer, and antioxidants like Vitamin C. Chemical peels and hydrafacials can help maintain healthy cell

In Your 30s 

Skin Goal: Protect Collagen and Maintain Brightness  

What’s Happening: Collagen production begins to slow, cell turnover gradually decreases and early signs of aging may appear. Many women are also balancing stress, hormonal changes, busy schedules, and lack of sleep, all of which can affect skin health. 

Focus On: Supporting collagen production, correcting early pigmentation, and maintaining hydration.  

Recommendations: This is a good time to incorporate targeted serums and treatments to help prevent and lighten damage, such as microneedling and other collagen-stimulating laser treatments.  

In Your 40s 

Skin Goal: Restore Collagen and Improve Firmness and Tone 

What’s Happening: Collagen and elastin loss become more noticeable, leading to increased fine lines, hollowing in cheeks, skin laxity, and changes in skin texture. Cell turnover slows, and sun damage accumulated from earlier years may become more noticeable.  

Focus On: Collagen stimulation, improving skin elasticity, and addressing pigmentation. Look beyond wrinkles, and consider how skin health, facial structure, and volume changes all work together. 

Recommendations: Be consistent with high-performance skin care, including antioxidants, retinoids, growth factors, and peptides. Radiofrequency microneedling, BBLs, and other laser treatments can help target pigment correction.  

In Your 50s 

Skin Goal: Hydration and Structural Support 

What’s Happening: Hormonal changes leading up to this stage significantly affect the skin. Estrogen levels drop, which can lead to thinner skin, increased dryness, reduced elasticity, and more noticeable wrinkles.  

Focus On: Deep hydration, strengthening the skin barrier, and supporting collagen and elasticity.  

Recommendations: Peptides and growth factor skincare, richer moisturizers to support the skin barrier, gentle resurfacing treatments, collagen-stimulating laser treatments, and consistent skincare guidance. 

In Your 60s and Beyond 

“If you haven’t started, get started!” Janine says. “You need to be very strategic with restorative skincare and collagen support, but deliberate collagen-building treatments can help the skin look healthier, stronger, and beautifully freshened at this age,” she adds. 

Guys’ Guide to Skincare 

Men’s skin is typically thicker and produces more oil than women’s due to higher testosterone levels. That can mean fewer fine lines early on, but it also makes men more prone to clogged pores, breakouts, and shaving-related irritation. 

“Men today are far more educated about skincare than they were even a decade ago,” Carrie says. “Social media, wellness culture, and better product education have helped normalize the idea that skincare isn’t just for women, it’s simply good self-care. 

A simple, three-step routine is recommended: cleanse, moisturize to help support the barrier, and apply sunscreen daily. “Once that becomes a habit, targeted treatments can be added if needed.”  

Originally printed in the May 2026 issue of Simply Local Magazine

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