Between hormones, pregnancy, sun, diet, the environment, and just…life, your 30s are when you really start seeing significant changes in your skin. Suddenly fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and dryness are like new vocabulary words, which is why you really need to start thinking about the best skincare routine for your 30s.
In this article, we’ll talk about what physical changes occur in your skin in your 30s, how the appearance of your skin will change in your 30s, what lifestyle changes to make in your 30s to make sure your skin is at its best, how to create the best anti-aging skincare routine for your 30s, and what products to use.
Now that you’re in your prime, your skincare should be, too!
IN A NUTSHELL
Main Takeaways: Your skin starts to change in your 30s, so should your skin care routine. You’ll need to start addressing uneven skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles, and sun damage.
Good to Know: When we are first born, our skin cells turnover about every 14 days, but by the time we’re in our 30s it can take up to 48 days.
Recommended Products: Starter Set and Deluxe Set.
Skin in Your 30s
There are a number of physical changes your skin will go through in your 30s. Here are some of the most common:
- Your hormones change. Your 30s are when your hormone levels begin to drop, and that means your skin can go a little nuts. As your estrogen diminishes, so can the glow your skin had just a few years ago. Some women find that, even if they never broke out in their younger years, hormonal acne can make its appearance in their 30s.
- Your skin starts producing less hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a sugar found naturally in skin that draws in moisture and hydration and helps keep it in. Unfortunately, as we age, we start producing less of it, which is why incorporating hyaluronic acid should be part of the best skincare routine for your 30s.
- Your collagen production decreases. Collagen is a protein that acts as the body’s natural “plumper.” It’s part of what makes your skin look healthy and full. Adding retinol to your skincare routine will help to encourage collagen production.
- Your skin’s elasticity decreases. Again, between the decrease in collagen and elastin—another protein found naturally in the skin—your skin won’t bounce back the way it used to, literally.
- Your skin will also start regenerating at a much slower rate. When we are first born, our skin cells turnover about every few days, but by the time we’re in our 30s, it can take up to 45 days. Don’t worry, it only gets worse as you get older– but powerhouse skincare ingredient retinol can increase cell turnover.
Physical Signs of Aging in Your Skin in Your 30s
As you can imagine, all those physical changes result in some pretty obvious visual consequences on your skin.
1. You might notice the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Because you’re producing less of the body’s natural “puffers” like hyaluronic acid and collagen, the lines on your face aren’t being filled in the way they used to. That’s why you might start noticing more and more lines, especially around your eyes, forehead, and mouth.
2. Your skin tone might become uneven. After the age of 30, melanocytes decrease. These are the cells in your skin that act as the source of melanin, which is essentially the pigment in your skin. Though your skin probably won’t change enough for other people to notice (melanin only decreases by about 8% - 20% every decade once you hit your 30s), you might notice a change, especially when it comes to uneven skin tone.
3. Your skin feels and looks dryer. This could be due, in part, to the lack of skin regeneration we talked about earlier. Not only does the renewal of cells keep skin looking more radiant, but it also helps keep it less dry by sloughing off the old, dead cells. Now that your skin isn’t regenerating like it used to, those cells are sitting on top of your skin, resulting in a dull look.
4. You might get acne. Hormones are hormones whether you’re 13 or 30, so it’s possible you’ll start to experience some acne issues even if you’ve never experienced any before.
5. You might start to see sun damage. Remember all those lazy days at the beach when you decided to forgo the sunscreen in favor of getting a great tan? Well, your 30s are when all those gorgeous, golden suntans catch up with you. Visible sun damage is a sign that those UV rays have literally gotten under your skin, killing your skin cells. Don’t be surprised if you suddenly find you’ve developed some freckles ,or even a few dark spots, in this decade.
Luckily, some of these issues can be corrected by putting together the best skincare routine for your skin in your 30s.
Best Skin Care Routine for 30s
While you might not have given much thought to your skincare routine previously, once you reach your 30s, it’s time to come up with a real plan for your skincare routine.
Our goal here is to not only keep your skin clean & refreshed, but enhance it with anti-aging ingredients that specifically fight the ravages and signs of time.
However, your skincare routine does not need to be complicated! Here’s a simple routine which, when done twice a day, will result in healthier, happier skin:
1. Cleanser
Cleanse your skin twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. A non-drying face wash, gentle enough to be used twice daily, is ideal for most skin types. So Clean! facial cleanser fits the bill perfectly. It’s a lightweight gel cleanser that purifies without stripping your skin, leaving it soft and refreshed.
2. Toner
Follow up your cleanse with a toner– preferably one that hydrates, as our skin doesn’t retain moisture like it did in our 20s. There are many types of toner available, from calming toners, to exfoliating toners, to brightening toners. If you are looking for something that is great for all skin types, start with a toner like Rose and Shine rosewater toner. It is gentle on your skin and contains soothing and hydrating ingredients such as rosewater and glycerin.
3. Serum
Next, apply a couple of drops of a good serum on your cheeks, chin, nose, and forehead. Chances are, serums weren’t part of your skincare routine in your 20s, but now that your estrogen is diminished, it’s harder to get that glow, and serums will help bring it back. Serums are highly concentrated products that do much of the major lifting when it comes to your skin care, so don’t skimp on this step!
We recommend a serum full of Vitamin C to brighten your skin and help diminish any dark spots that have begun to appear. Another great ingredient to look for in a serum is hyaluronic acid, which locks in hydration and moisture, keeping our skin plump and glowing. Nectar of the C includes 10% vitamin C and hyaluronic to brighten, plump and hydrating your skin.
4. Eye Cream
Dab a little eye cream around your eyes, morning and night. Because the skin around your eyes is so thin and delicate, this is where those fine lines and wrinkles are most likely to first appear. The best way to apply eye cream is with your ring finger, tapping it in gently without tugging at the skin.
Our best-selling and best-loved Eyes Eyes Baby is the perfect eye cream to begin using in your 30s. Squalene moisturizes and protects, while ingredients such as caffeine and peptides help to firm the skin around your eyes and reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness.
5. Moisturizer
As we mentioned above, the older you get, the less hyaluronic acid your skin produces, which means your skin holds less moisture. Finding a moisturizer that not only adds moisture, but really locks it in is crucial.
Besides hyaluronic acid, another key ingredient to look for in moisturizer is niacinamide (vitamin B3). This will work to brighten your skin and prevent the signs of aging. We also love jojoba oil, because it balances your skin and keeps it well-moisturized. H2 Oh Yeah hydrating moisturizer is great for all skin types, especially for skin that is dry or dehydrated.
6. Sunscreen
Use it every day, without fail, no matter what. We recommend keeping your skin safe from toxins found in most chemical sunscreens by opting for a mineral sunscreen. These are easy to distinguish from chemical sunscreens, as there are only two mineral sunscreen ingredients: titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
Skincare Routine Extras
In addition to your daily routine, think about adding a few once-or- twice-a-week products for a little boost.
Detox Mask
Indulge in a little detox once or twice a week with a clay mask that draws out impurities. This allows your moisturizers and serums to penetrate deeper into your skin and be more effective.
Prince Charcoal detox mask that employs coconut charcoal to draw out impurities, along with kaolin clay to balance your natural oils. While these ingredients detoxify, nourishing botanicals squalane and reishi mushroom moisturize and protect, and aloe vera and rosehip oil hydrate and soothe.
Retinol Products
Retinol is your best option to help rejuvenate and restore your skin, but isn’t necessarily something you need every day. A highly active ingredient, it’s best to slowly integrate retinoids into your routine, starting with only 2 or 3 times a week, depending on the concentration of retinoids in the product.
When you are new to retinoids and retinol, start with a gentle formula. Youth Fairy is the perfect beginner’s retinol moisturizer. With a small yet effective dose of 0.03% retinol, this formula is supported by shea butter, plant stem cells, and evening primrose oil to gently introduce retinol into your routine. Nourishing botanicals soothe your skin, while retinol encourages collagen production for firmer skin.
When you are ready to level up, add ‘A’ Game retinol serum to your evening routine. A higher concentration of retinol helps to increase cell turnover to smooth your skin.
Also note that it is very important to use sunscreen regularly when using retinol, as it makes your skin more sensitive to the sun.
Lifestyle Changes to Make in Your 30s
Now that you’re in your 30s, your skincare routine is as much about prevention as maintenance! Here are 10 lifestyle tips every anti-aging skincare routine should include:
1. Say good-bye to the sun. These days, the sun is not your friend (truthfully, it never was—it just pretended to like you). Your 30s are when you really start seeing the cumulative effects of sunbathing or even just mild sun exposure. Staying out of it is the best way to prevent those lines and wrinkles from forming in the first place.
Not only is there a cosmetic reason to stay away from the sun, there’s a health reason. Melanoma is one of the most common cancers in women under 30, so now that you’re above that threshold, you really, really need to be aware of how much sun you’re getting.
In addition to staying out of the sun as much as possible, make sure you’re wearing a good SPF and re-applying it as the day goes on. And don’t even think about a visit to the tanning salon.
2. Cut down on the alcohol. There’s a reason you crave water the day after a long night out. Alcohol is incredibly dehydrating and will suck the moisture out of your skin faster than you can say “eye cream.” We’re not suggesting you can never have a glass of wine again, but consider at least restricting it a bit. If you have overdone it, a little extra moisturizer is a good idea.
3. Check the ingredients in the skin products you’re using. Part of putting together your best skincare routine in your 30s is making sure you know what you are putting on your skin. Keep it clean with non-toxic skincare.
4. Consider your diet. You might now realize just how much diet affects your skin until you cut down on all the junk. Changing your diet can be as beneficial to your skin as committing to a skincare regimen in your 30s. Fruits like peaches, raspberries, and oranges, and veggies like broccoli, spinach, and kale are packed with antioxidants that restore collagen and create a real glow from within.
5. Stop smoking. You know this is bad for you no matter what age you are, so we won’t put you on a guilt trip. We’ll just say that if you think smoking is bad for your lungs, do a little Googling and see what it does to your skin. Prevent the lines that smoking causes by quitting ASAP.
6. Increase your water intake. Proper hydration is key to skin health. For those who find water tasteless, we suggest having a little fun with it. Try carbonated water or one that’s naturally flavored. If you find one you like, you’ll be much more likely to consume it.
7. Start seeing a dermatologist. Even if you haven’t had a lot of sun exposure or your family has no history of skin cancer, this is the time to start seeing a dermatologist on a regular basis. In addition to looking after your skin’s health, they can help you determine the best skincare regimen for your 30s.
8. Take off your eye make-up. Every night. No matter what. When you were younger, your body stored more fat under your eyes. Now that it doesn’t, you’re much more likely to develop noticeable bags under your eyes, even with a lot of sleep. Always remove your eye make-up as part of your skincare routine.
Also, if you don’t take off your make-up, you can’t apply eye cream, which, at this age, should be a regular part of your nightly skincare routine.
9. Throw out any skincare products past their prime. The active ingredients in those old products have probably expired and won’t actually do anything for you. Toss them and start fresh with a Deluxe Set that contains everything you need for a great skincare routine!
10. Start a good skincare routine and stick to it. Though most women have drawers full of skincare products, few take the time to really construct a daily skincare routine. Now’s the time to stop winging it. Part of creating the best skincare routine for your 30s is making sure you have all your bases covered. Stay consistent with your routine, and your skin will reap the benefits.
So, welcome to your 30s! With a little care and the right products, you can keep your skin looking like it did when you were in your 20s. You can thank us the next time you get carded!
