Most people don’t think about wrinkles until they’re already staring at the first crease in the mirror, which is a mistake (and we’ve brought the receipts!) In a recent survey of U.S. skin care shoppers, only 7% of Gen Z worry about fine lines. That concern jumps to 22% for Millennials, and climbs even higher for Gen X at 43%. As for the Baby Boomers, nearly half (45%) of them list fine lines and wrinkles as a top concern. (1) This data illustrates how quickly aging becomes a priority once the early signs begin to appear.
Unfortunately, most people wait until fine lines deepen before doing anything. Battling them earlier provides a better chance of maintaining a smoother, wrinkle-free appearance, without having to play catch-up in your late 30s and 40s. Here are four compelling reasons for tending to wrinkles early, and how they will benefit your skin in the long run:
1. The Key: Early Prevention = the Reduction of Future Fine Lines
Your 20s might feel too early for wrinkle creams, but starting then can actually save your skin later. Using a face anti-wrinkle cream provides your skin with daily support before those fine lines settle in, especially in spots that move a lot, such as around the eyes, mouth, and forehead.
Tip: Look for formulas with hyaluronic acid to keep your skin hydrated and plump. Ingredients like vitamins E and C also help protect and strengthen your skin over time. You really don’t need anything heavy or intimidating; lightweight creams can work for all skin types, even sensitive skin.
2. For The Long Run: Build Stronger, Long-Term Skin Care Habits
Once you hit your mid-20s, you may find yourself frowning more often. Perhaps it’s during conversations about bills, concentrating on an intense work-related project, scrolling and reading online news, or even when just thinking. After all, that’s pretty much the reality of life once you’re adulting and carrying responsibilities.
However, those small frowns exact a toll. The wrinkles that form between your eyebrows, often called glabellar lines, result from constant eyebrow furrowing and the natural loss of elasticity that happens over time. Even if you’re not angry or upset, those tiny contractions can make you appear worried or tense over time. (2)
Establishing a steady skin care routine before the age of 30 nourishes your skin with the support it requires, and these habits become an automatic part of your routine. A simple nightly ritual, whether it includes a light night cream, wrinkle serum, or other anti-aging moisturizers, helps your skin stay balanced and hydrated. You’re also more likely to stick with a routine when you start early. Over time, this consistency keeps your moisture barrier stable and helps your skin stay calm through stress, seasonal changes, and exposure to everyday irritants.
3. Uh-Oh, Your Skin Loses Collagen Earlier Than You Think…
Did you know your skin starts losing collagen much sooner than you would likely expect? It surprises a lot of people because the changes don’t show up right away, but the process actually starts in your mid-20s. Your body makes about 1% less collagen every year from early adulthood on, which doesn’t sound like much at first. But that slow decline builds up over the years and eventually shows up as softer cheeks, fine lines, and less firmness. (3)
Here’s a fact that isn’t mentioned enough: according to the American Academy of Dermatology, women lose about 30% of their skin’s collagen in the five years following menopause. That’s why so many people feel like their skin suddenly “changes” all at once later in life. (3) Knowing all of this renders starting earlier feel less like overreacting and more like providing your skin with a head start. If you support collagen while your skin is still strong and responsive, you’ll have a much easier time keeping it firm as you age. Using wrinkle creams with antioxidants or elasticity-supporting ingredients doesn’t just help now, it enables your skin to handle your years ahead with more resilience.
Ingredients such as vitamin C or l-Ascorbic acid can help brighten dull areas and soften dark spots from earlier sun exposure while also supporting collagen production. Early use doesn’t lock you into depending on the products. You are simply replenishing what it will slowly lose over time.
4. Sun-Baked: Reduce the Chance of Early Sun Damage Appearing Later
Much of the sun damage in your 30s and 40s happened well before it makes its appearance. Most of it stems from your teens and early 20s, the years when you were joyfully basking on the beach all day, or at outdoor events, or days you forgot to reapply sunscreen because you weren’t thinking about wrinkles yet. UV exposure slowly weakens collagen, dries out your skin, and eventually leads to uneven skin tone and age spots. So, even if you’re diligent with sunscreen now, the effects from years ago may still surface later.
Starting earlier with supportive products helps cushion your skin from that delayed sun damage. And since the eye area is usually the first place where those early signs appear, using an eye cream alongside your routine can make a noticeable difference.
The skin around your eyes is thin and quick to show every squint, smile, and late night, so lightweight antioxidants and hydrating formulas help keep it smoother as you age. You’re not undoing every sunny day from the past, but you’re cutting down the impact and helping your skin stay brighter and more even in the long run.
Starting before 30 gives your skin more time to stay smooth, hydrated, and protected as the years pass. Preventive care is always easier than trying to manage deeper lines later, and even small habits make a genuine difference when you stick with them. Early care helps your skin stay healthy, comfortable, and confident, so you can feel good about how it looks and ages over time.
References:
“Most common skin concerns when shopping for skin care products in the United States in 2022, by generation”, Source: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1334325/most-common-skin-concerns-among-us-skin-care-shoppers-by-generation/
“The influence of repeated frowning and smiling on corrugator muscle activity and wrinkles between eyebrows”, Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-84121-9
“Should you take collagen supplements?”, Source: https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/should-you-take-collagen-supplements
