We all know that happy, healthy skin is an ongoing journey, and along the way, we’ve probably all learned some invaluable lessons. Washing your face every evening, not relying on face wipes, drinking lots of water and never picking your spots – the list goes on. But we’re always looking for better ways to take care of our skin and who better to guide us than the skincare experts themselves? 

Below, we’ve called upon 14 beauty experts, from brand founders to consultant dermatologists, to share the best skincare tips they’ve discovered along the way and the top tips they wish they’d discovered earlier…

“I wish I knew about the importance of applying SPF regularly sooner. I feel like I often heard the myth that ‘if you have a deeper skin tone, you don’t need sun protection’, which of course isn’t true. It’s important for everybody in order to protect your skin against harmful UV rays and maintain good skin health. On top of that, my South Asian heritage means I’m more prone to hyperpigmentation, so applying SPF helps to prevent those stubborn, hard-to-shift dark spots.” – Hanna Ibraheem, Stylist’s beauty director.

“I wish someone had told me to use antioxidants earlier in life. Antioxidants provide protection from free radicals, which, in turn, helps to keep skin fresh, firm and supple with a clear, calm complexion. They’re key to preventing collagen and elastin degradation by free radicals and can help stop pigmentation issues later down the line.”– Georgie Cleeve, founder of Oskia Skincare.

“Everyone’s skin is different, and while we all might be tempted to try out those viral beauty crazes that promise miraculous results, it’s important to remember that what suits me may not suit you. Work out what skin type you have and find the products that are targeted to treat your skincare needs. Then, once you’ve found your recipe – stick to it.” – Dr Christine Hall, aesthetic doctor at Taktouk clinic.

“Keeping your skin hydrated is crucial for maintaining its elasticity and overall health. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and incorporate a hydrating moisturiser into your skincare routine. Look for products with hyaluronic acid, glycerin or ceramides to lock in moisture.” – Alice Henshaw, founder of Harley Street Injectables.

“Learn to enjoy the parties without overdoing the alcohol – especially if you have inflamed or irritated skin. Alcohol inflames tissues and regular drinking forms systemic inflammation in the skin. First, you might notice that your skin gets red and sensitive, but then repetitive inflammation creates histamine, meaning the redness will not go away and can flare up more frequently. This can gradually lead to other issues like eczema, dermatitis and rosacea.” – Ada Ooi, celebrity facialist and holistic acupuncturist.

“I wish I’d invested a bit more money into skincare products containing pharmaceutical-grade active ingredients when I was younger. It’s quality over quantity every time.” – Sadaf Jaffari, celebrity aesthetician.

“During your mid-20s, skin starts to slow down the rate at which it turns over new cells. It’s also during this decade that your skin starts to lose its natural elasticity. Diet is a really important factor – as is incorporating a retinol to boost collagen production.” – Dr Shirin Lakhani, cosmetic doctor at Elite Aesthetics.

“I wish I knew that skincare starts on your plate, not on your bathroom shelf. Think lots of brightly coloured fruits and vegetables, plenty of lean protein, healthy fats and wholegrains to feed our gut-skin connection.” – Dr Thivi Maruthappu, consultant dermatologist, nutritionist and author of SkinFood – Your 4-Step Solution To Healthy, Happy Skin.

“The skin (the body’s largest organ), operates like the gut – a balance of good and bad microorganisms. Protecting the microbiome of the skin can prevent and relieve skin irritations and autoimmune responses such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. You can do this by avoiding too many skincare steps within in a routine.” – Natalie Enslöw, founder of fjör.

“Using an eye cream is something that rarely gives you benefits at the time but it’s something you notice over time. In your early 20s, it’s not about using really thick eye creams, it is about using an eye cream that is there to protect and prevent. Having sunscreen and antioxidants in your eye cream will be excellent when you’re younger and stand you in great stead in your future.” – Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme, award-winning skin doctor and founder of Adonia Medical Clinic.

“If I could give myself one skincare tip that I wish I learned earlier on in life, it would be to make sure I prioritise sleep. Beauty sleep is real! Make sure you get enough rest every night to allow your skin to rejuvenate and repair.” – Elena Lavagni, owner of Neville Hair & Beauty.

“During my late teens and early 20s I had extremely oily and acne-prone skin. Because of this, I was always told to avoid oils at all costs. I thought my skin was oily enough so anything else would just clog my pores. This was the worst advice.

“During my skincare formulating studies in my mid-20s, I learned about plant oils and their benefits. I realised that every oil has a unique composition and there are many oils that are not pore clogging – when you use the correct oils for your skin, they truly help recover and repair the skin or any skin irritations much faster.” – Lune Martens, founder of Monday Muse.

“Create a simple skincare routine that works for you and be consistent with it. If nothing else, make sure to cleanse and moisturise every day. Cleaning your skin with a good cleanser is so important, particularly in the evening, when our skin has been exposed to all sorts of pollutants and free-radicals throughout the day.” – Gemma Colao, founder of Oto CBD.

“Foundation sits on your skin for hours each day – I wish I had started using one that had some skin benefits before now. That way, you’re getting skin boosting throughout the day – not just skin covering.” – Debbie Thomas, laser and skin expert.

Images: Getty; courtesy of brands