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Your 30s are a time to settle into new rhythms, nurture yourself, and build meaningful connections. Now’s the moment to celebrate your milestones so far and get ready for incredible things to come.
This decade is all about embracing self-care and personal growth. It’s when you leave behind old habits and adopt new ones you’ll do your best to stick with. The same goes for skincare: your skin changes, so your routine should too.
What happens to your skin in your 30s?
Let’s recap: turning 30 is more than just reaching a number. Your skin has experienced life’s ups and downs for three decades, and it’s completely normal (and positive) to start seeing small signs of aging. These natural changes appear gradually as your skin enters a new era. But don’t worry, there’s plenty you can do to keep your skin at its best! Not only to maintain hydration and smoothness but also to promote healthy skin aging.
Even though everyone’s skin is unique, certain changes are common in each decade. Here’s what to expect in your 30s:
Cell production slows down: At this age, many people notice that their skin has lost some of its natural glow. This happens as the production of new skin cells slows down. As a result, old cells stay on the surface longer, building up in the outer layer of the skin and causing it to look less radiant.
Collagen and elastin levels start to dwindle: They don’t disappear completely, but if there’s a time when this process begins to show, it’s between the ages of 30 and 40. What happens when you have fewer of these essential proteins in your skin? Fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the eyes and mouth — AKA gentle reminders of great laughs and good times.
Noticing some dark spots? No matter how much you protect your skin, 30 years of sun exposure (whether a little or a lot) leaves its mark. Your skin has a memory, and the sun’s UV rays can lead to signs like hyperpigmentation, which can also be linked to hormonal changes.
Texture, elasticity, and hydration changes: The [skin’s ability to retain moisture](https://www.isdin.com/en-US/blog/your-skin/surprising-skin-changes-in-a-day/#:~:text=and excess product.-,Your Skin Loses Moisture,of regulating its water content.) decreases and it may also lose some of its natural elasticity, making it more susceptible to sagging.
But these changes won’t happen overnight! This makes your 30s the perfect time to introduce new products to help prevent, address, and, in time, embrace the signs of aging.
How to take care of your skin in your 30s
Different priorities, new relationships, rotating schedules — you’re experiencing a lot of changes, and so is your skin. And you might start noticing that some of your favorite products aren’t giving your skin the same results as before. Now’s the time to set the scene for well-aging down the line using targeted ingredients.
The ideal 30-something skincare routine focuses on prevention and care. You’ll need to welcome new allies like eye creams and serums. When it comes to ingredients, vitamin C is essential for boosting radiance.
☑ Have you met your favorite cleanser yet?
If you embraced skincare in your twenties, you probably know a thing or two about the first step of your skincare routine. Your cleanser is a multitasker: in the morning it helps to cleanse and hydrate. At night, it sweeps away makeup (even waterproof), sunscreen, and the day’s buildup.
Enter cleansing oil. Perfect for busy days, this specific type of product can do more than just cleanse – nourishing and hydrating your skin all in one go. Oil attracts oil, so it sticks to everything your skin doesn’t need, helping to clear it away.
☑ Time to get consistent with eye creams
Still navigating skincare essentials in your 30s? You might be new to eye creams, but now’s the perfect time to dive in. Eye creams are often multitaskers, offering repairing benefits and solutions for under-eye circles. To find your ideal eye cream, start by defining your goals:
Ready to embrace the changes that come with your 30s? For many, now’s the moment to start addressing the puffiness and dark circles that might accompany busy days and new adventures.
In the morning: Reach for an eye cream with vitamin K oxide to brighten things up. If it has a ceramic applicator with a cooling effect to help depuff, even better!
Looking to rejuvenate and repair your skin past your 30s? Each day, your skin contends with the damaging effects of oxidative stress, which can leave it feeling worn out. Turn your evening skincare routine into an oasis to help calm and repair. And if you’re looking to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, there’s a way to achieve that too!
At night: Welcome formulas with ingredients like caffeine and melatonin, ideal for combating the effects of daily skin stressors.
At this stage, it’s all up to you. Mix and match eye creams based on your goals: boosting hydration, targeting bags and dark circles, or minimizing fine lines. You know your skin better than anyone, so have fun with it and find which products work best for you.
☑ Unlock the power of serums
By 30, you’ve surely got a good handle on what your skin craves: consistent hydration and care. This part of your routine is all about taking it one step further — supporting your skin with the necessary ingredients to tackle specific concerns. Serums are potent formulas designed for results, from hydrating and brightening to targeting discoloration.
At this age, antioxidants are your best bet. In the morning, reach for a vitamin C serum. It helps restore skin elasticity and firmness, brightening your complexion and promoting a more even skin tone. A tip from the pros? Use a serum-in-ampoule to get the most out of this super ingredient.
At night, elevate your routine with a 3-in-1 antioxidant serum featuring melatonin — a multitasker that works while you sleep to help your skin recover from the day’s hustle and bustle.
☑ Make daily hydration a habit
If you hydrate your skin every day, you’ll be sure to notice results. Like? Maybe your skin barrier stays healthy, your whole skincare routine works better, or those first wrinkles start to ease up.
The fourth step in your routine gives you plenty of choices, so it’s all about picking what suits you best. Here’s what you need:
Skincare in your 30s tip: Take this quick skincare test to find your perfect moisturizer match.
☑ You’ve got this one down
The one product that all routines share — it cares for your skin in the short and long term and is one of the best ways to fight the signs of aging. Sunscreen is a must, and fortunately, there’s a perfect option for everyone.
The sun remembers everything, etched not just in your memories but on your skin too. It’s the ideal era to find a tinted or invisible sunscreen to be your forever sidekick. Look for lightweight fast-absorbing formulas that can offer additional well-aging benefits. Even better if you opt for a next-generation sunscreen that helps repair existing UV damage.
An added touch for luminous skin
When the sun goes down and your sunscreen clocks out, it’s time to bring in new teammates. Your 30s mark the perfect time to add a facial exfoliating gel that smoothes your skin’s texture and boosts renewal. Glowing skin now and later? Glycolic acid is the key.
Skincare in your 30s tip: Apply a leave-on exfoliant after cleansing and using eye cream, as the third step in your nighttime routine.
Make it a lifestyle
It’s not just skincare – it’s self-care. Over the years, you’ll realize there’s a deep connection between your lifestyle and your skin. There are incredible adventures and chapters of your story yet to be written, but they wouldn’t be the same without three basic pillars:
Nourish your body: “You are what you eat” can be more than just a saying. Certain foods, like carotenoids, can help enhance skin’s radiance. Add color to your diet while also enjoying yourself: host barbecues with friends, treat yourself to takeout, and explore that restaurant you’ve been curious about. Finding balance is key.
Keep moving: Your twenties are full of movement, up and down, here and there. In your thirties, you may feel like settling down, but try not to forget to exercise: it improves circulation, helps rid toxins through sweat, and promotes better sleep, essential for skin’s natural turnover and repair processes.
No pressure: You don’t have to have everything figured out by 30 — enjoy the journey because everything will fall into place in due time. Make self-care a priority, get to know yourself, and find what makes you happy. Emotions can directly impact your skin’s health, so the less you stress, the better.
It’s time to continue embracing life’s moments; do it with your best face forward. And above all, love your skin, care for it, and protect it, always.
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Amy is a content strategist who turned a part-time obsession with skincare into a full-time passion. Her experience as a creative storyteller includes a range of lifestyle and technology topics across Washington D.C. and Barcelona. What’s in her travel bag? Eye contour cream and sunscreen, always.
Editorial Team
Our namesake embodies the spirit of embracing life and all its wonder. As wellness journalists, we explore topics that invigorate the senses and keep curiosity alive. We believe that glowing skin is the result of a healthy body and mind. Weaving beauty with science, we aim to inspire you to live young at every age.
