Seasons of life are often accompanied with changes–some beautiful, some challenging–but each new season may arrive with questions concerning self-care. Often it is easy to look back at our youth and exclaim, โif only we knew x, y and z!”
But we shouldnโt let that discourage us from taking full advantage of our current stage in life. Our skin care routine will definitely transition as we age, and I have found that the most change occurs in our 30s.
With so many of us dealing with little sleep thanks to young children, hormonal changes, and skin that just doesnโt recover quite like it did in our 20s, our 30s are the perfect time to get into a groove with a healthy skincare routine.
Healthy Skincare Habits To Adopt in Your 30s
1. Hydrate
Water is essential for healthy skin. And while we might reach for that cup of joe in the morning to begin our day, it isn’t doing our skin any favors.
Water helps circulate nutrients throughout the body, flush out toxins, and hydrates skin cells. First thing in the morning drink a tall glass of water–6-8 ounces before you even get out of bed. An easy rule of thumb for water consumption is to drink half your weight in ounces each day.
Want to take your morning water up a notch? Add fresh squeezed lemon juice to your water. It is believed to be a digestive health aid, and contribute to clear skin.
2. Smooth sleeping
Invest in a good satin or silk pillowcase. The hype is true: it will diminish the appearance of fine lines, smooth hair and will absorb less moisture from your skin than a cotton pillowcase.
Find out more about why we love silk pillowcases. Our favorite silk pillowcase on the market.
3. Add an eye cream
It is never too late to start using an eye cream, but I feel in your 30s it is the best time to create this nightly habit. The eye area is the first area to age due to the lack of oil glands and the delicate skin found here. Apply a hydrating or anti-aging eye cream to the orbital rim of the eye nightly.
Here are some of our favorite eye creams.
4. Ingredient check
Acne is not something that disappears with age. If you battle adult acne, it might be time to inspect your makeup and skin care products for any ingredients that may be clogging pores or contributing to breakouts.
Search labels for comedogenic (clogging) ingredients and clear these products from your shelves if you are battling acne. These would include: acetylated lanolin, butyl stearate, carrageenan, cetyl acetate, cocoa butter, hydrogenated vegetable oil, octyl stearate, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate, and soybean oil, to name a few.
5. AHAs
Alpha hydroxy acids are wonderful to incorporate into your routine to help rapidly exfoliate dead skin cells. As we age, our skin does not shed dead skin cells as regularly as it did in our youth.
AHAs can help this process by breaking down the bonds holding dead skin cells together, revealing fresh skin cells beneath, and aiding in product absorption. Whether using a nightly serum with alpha hydroxy acids, or a mask a few times a week, find a glycolic, lactic, or similar fruit acid to deal with uneven complexion and cell turnover.
Try one of these AHA face masks that you can make at home. AHA serums to purchase: Drunk Elephant Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum , Paula’s Choice AHA Gel, or Herbivore AHA Glow Serum.
6. Say no to the sun
In our 30s we are often confronted with the sun damage of our past. And while we may start to incorporate products that combat pigmentation and sunspots, we need to be doubly careful about sun exposure in the present.
The vitamin C, retinol, and alpha hydroxy acids that are in so many of our skincare products can make us prone to sun sensitivity and sun damage if we are not using adequate sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. It would be a waste of money and effort to undo all of your hard work in fighting pigmentation by laying out in the sun or being inconsistent with sunscreen.
Read our guide to healthier sunscreens–and find out which ingredients to avoid. Safe sunscreens to purchase: Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer SPF 30, Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40, or Glowscreen Sunscreen.
7. Beauty sleep
Itโs not called beauty sleep for nothing! Our bodyโs blood circulation is boosted during sleep, bringing nutrients and oxygen to skin cells. Repairs during the night happen all over the body, including the skin.
When we donโt sleep enough, cortisol levels can rise and our skin becomes inflamed and stressed. Puffy eyes, sullen complexion and dull skin are usually signs of not enough sleep. Eight hours is the recommended amount of sleep for adults.
Read our tips for falling asleep fast – and try one of these beauty sleep essential oil combinations.
8. Change with the season
Just as you wouldnโt wear sunscreen before going to bed, you wouldnโt wear a light summer moisturizer in the dead of winter. Each season examine your skin care regimen and change out serums and moisturizers to meet current needs.
Winter may require more hydrating masks while summer calls for a boost in SPF coverage. If indoor heaters zap moisture from the air, consider adding hyaluronic acid to your winter staples.
A few of our favorite masks for all seasons: Hydrating Floral Mask, Electrolyte Waterfacial Mask, or Blue Tansy Pore Refining Mask.
The 30s are a beautiful season of life and a wonderful opportunity to give proper attention to our skin’s needs and changes.
This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Rina Mary Allawh, M.D., a dermatologist who performs adult and pediatric medical dermatology, skin cancer treatment and cosmetic dermatology. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
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