If the big three-oh is staring at you, stop stressing – your face won’t fall off, your life won’t end, and you’ll probably look better than you ever have, thanks to a healthier lifestyle. Just look at glowing Natalie Portman (38) and always vivacious Gina Rodriquez (35). But getting older does have repercussions on your skin, from making it less resilient to it suddenly being drier. What to do?
First off, sorted your diet by adding lots of healthy fats, fresh fruits and veggies and lean proteins, exercising a few times a week, even if it’s just taking a long walk, and get a good night’s rest every night. Once you have these basics covered, you can turn to the power of skincare to help solve the most common skin issues you’ll face in your 30s:
The Dull Skin Problem
Skin turnover slows down from your middle 20s onwards. As a child and teenager, your skin cells turned over roughly every 14 days, which is why you had such bouncy, perfect skin… until it all skidded to a halt once you started earning your own money and buying your own groceries. Now, skin cells turn over every 28-35 days, meaning dead skin cells accumulate of the surface of the skin for much longer, making it look dull and interfering with the efficacy of the products you apply on top.
The solution: Exfoliation
You need to get rid of those dead skin cells – and fast! Exfoliate at least once, max twice a week to reveal newer, brighter skin cells and help your products sink in properly. Use either something physical like a muslin cloth or gentle scrub, or chemical like glycolic or lactic acid. You can also switch it up – one weekend you go to town with an acid peel, the next weekend you gently cleanse with a muslin cloth.
Our Pick
Sephora Collection Glow Peel Pads
The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Overnight Treatment
Apple Seed Facial Scrub
The Dry Skin Problem
Not only do you have to contend with an accumulation of dead skin cells making your skin appear dull, it also contributes to dryness. Plus, as you hit your 30s, your skin slows down the production of hydrating factors such as hyaluronic acid.
The solution: Hydration
Now that you’re exfoliating diligently, you also have to pay extra care to moisturising your skin. Look for plumping, nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides and apply down your neck as well.
Our Pick
Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lift and Firm Day Cream
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydration Support Formula Duo
Salt by Hendrix Crystal Waters Mask
The Loosing Fullness Problem
This is one place where you don’t want to lose fat but sadly, with age, the facial fat pads start losing their age. Pair this with thinning of the skin and a loss of elasticity, and you could be looking at lines, wrinkles and sagging. This is because your body is producing less collagen.
The solution: Plumping hydration
Retinol and hyaluronic acid are your friends. Retinol (a derivative of vitamin A) stimulates elastin and collagen production. Also look out for ceramides, which hydrate and protect, and plant stem cells, which can help repair skin cells and make skin appear firmer.
Our Pick
Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
Etude House Hyaluronic Acid Air Mask
Dermalogica Overnight Retinol Repair
