The Best Skincare Routine For Your 30s

Welcome to your 30s – a time of newfound confidence and wisdom, but also a time when your skin starts to change.

Gone are the days of carefree, low-maintenance routines – it’s time to step up your skincare game!

As you age, your skin becomes more prone to fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots, and it’s important to take preventative measures to keep your skin looking fresh and healthy.

In this post, we’ll discuss the best skincare routine for your 30s, so you can keep your skin looking its best and tackle any skin concerns head-on.

Step #1. Cleanse

This is the first step in any skincare routine and is important at any age, but especially in your 30s when dead skin cells seem to accumulate faster than ever.

Dead skin cells can clog your pores, leading to breakouts and making your skin look dull and lackluster.

That’s why you need to invest in a gentle cleanser that will get rid of all that gunk without stripping your skin of its natural oils.

And if you’re feeling fancy, double cleanse with an oil-based cleanser first, followed by a water-based cleanser.

Cleansers for your 30s

When it comes to choosing a cleanser, gentle is always better. You want something that will clean your skin without leaving it feeling tight or dry.

Here are three of my top picks for gentle cleansers that will leave your skin feeling refreshed and clean:

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser – This classic cleanser has been around for ages, and for good reason! It’s gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin types, and it’s non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser – This cleanser is perfect for those with dry or sensitive skin. It’s packed with hydrating ingredients like glycerin and ceramides, and it’s free of fragrance and soap.
Krave Beauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser – If you’re looking for something a little more luxe, look no further than this green tea-infused cleanser from Krave Beauty. It’s gentle enough for daily use, but also contains antioxidants to protect your skin from environmental stressors. Plus, it has a lovely, soothing scent that will make your morning routine feel like a spa day.

Step #2. Exfoliate

Exfoliating is like hitting the reset button on your skin – it’s the perfect way to slough off dead skin cells and reveal a brighter, smoother complexion.

Plus, it just feels amazing to slough away all the stress and grime from the day. Not all exfoliators work the same – some are better than others.

While physical scrubs can be satisfying, they can also be too harsh on your skin and cause micro-tears.

That’s why I recommend opting for a chemical exfoliant instead. AHAs (like glycolic acid) and BHAs (like salicylic acid) are both great options that work to dissolve dead skin cells without the need for manual scrubbing.

Exfoliators for your 30s

As I mentioned before, chemical exfoliants are the way to go if you want to avoid the potential damage of physical scrubs.

So here are three of my favourite chemical exfoliants to help you achieve your smoothest, brightest skin yet:

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution – This cult-favourite product is a powerhouse when it comes to exfoliating. With a potent blend of AHAs and BHAs, it works to improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and brighten your overall complexion. Just remember to follow directions and don’t over-exfoliate.
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant – This gentle, leave-on exfoliant is a great option for those with acne-prone or oily skin. The salicylic acid works to unclog pores and reduce inflammation, while also improving the overall texture and tone of your skin.
Farmacy Honeymoon Glow AHA Resurfacing Night Serum – If you’re looking for a luxurious, spa-like experience, look no further than this AHA-infused serum from Farmacy. It’s packed with honey, hyaluronic acid, and flower acids to help exfoliate, hydrate, and brighten your skin. Plus, the packaging is just so darn cute – it’ll look great on your bathroom counter.

Step #3. Moisturize

Moisturizing is crucial if you want to maintain healthy, youthful-looking skin, especially as you enter your 30s.

As you age, your skin’s natural ability to produce oils and retain moisture starts to decline, which can lead to dryness, fine lines, and wrinkles.

That’s why it’s so important to give your skin a little extra love and hydration in the form of a good moisturizer.

Not only will it keep your skin feeling soft and supple, but it can also help protect your skin from environmental stressors and prevent premature aging.

Moisturizers for your 20s

The best moisturizer is one that works for your specific skin type and concerns.

Here are three of my favourite moisturizers that contain hyaluronic acid or ceramides to give your skin the hydration boost it needs:

CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion – This drugstore gem is a favourite among dermatologists for good reason. It contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help hydrate and protect your skin’s natural barrier. Plus, it’s fragrance-free and non-comedogenic so it won’t clog your pores.
Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream – This luxurious moisturizer is packed with ceramides, plant oils, and a blend of six African oils to help nourish and hydrate even the driest of skin. It’s perfect for those who need a little extra TLC and want to splurge on a high-quality product.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream – This lightweight, gel-based moisturizer is perfect for those with oily or acne-prone skin who still need hydration. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid and absorbs quickly, leaving your skin feeling plump and refreshed. Plus, it’s affordable and widely available at most drugstores.

Step #4. Protect

Protecting your skin from harmful UV rays is crucial to maintain healthy, youthful-looking skin.

UV damage can cause premature aging, fine lines, wrinkles, and even skin cancer, so it’s important to take sun protection seriously.

And guess what? You don’t have to sacrifice style for safety – there are tons of cute, trendy hats, sunglasses, and clothing options that provide sun protection.

Plus, there are a ton of great sunscreens out there that won’t leave you feeling greasy or cause breakouts.

So make a commitment to protect our skin from the sun, whether that means wearing a hat, applying sunscreen, or seeking shade during peak sun hours.

Your skin will thank you for it!

Sunscreen for your 30s

It’s essential to use the right products to protect your skin from those harmful UV rays, if you want it to stay healthy and look young. Let’s make sure we’re using the right ones!

Here are three of my favourite broad-spectrum sunscreens that provide great protection and won’t leave your skin feeling oily:

EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 – This dermatologist-recommended sunscreen is great for those with acne-prone or sensitive skin. It contains niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to help hydrate and soothe your skin, while also protecting against UVA and UVB rays.
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40 – This lightweight, gel-based sunscreen goes on clear and provides great protection without leaving a white cast. Not only that, but it has antioxidants to help you fight off environmental stressors.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 55 – This affordable, widely available sunscreen is a great option for those who want high SPF protection without breaking the bank. It’s non-greasy, fast-absorbing, and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so it’s great for outdoor activities. Just remember to reapply every two hours!

Step #5. Treat

Alright, let’s talk about some of the most common skin concerns that may arise in your 30s.

As you age, your skin naturally loses some of its elasticity and firmness, which can lead to fine lines, wrinkles, and even dark spots.

This can be exacerbated by factors like sun exposure, smoking, and stress. But plenty of treatments and products can help address these concerns.

From retinoids to vitamin C serums, there are a ton of great options out there that can help improve the overall appearance of your skin.

And remember, it’s never too late to start taking care of your skin – the earlier you start, the better!

Treatments for your 30s

Here are some of my favourite products for treating common skin concerns in your 30s.

If you’re dealing with fine lines and wrinkles, incorporating products like retinoids or vitamin C serums into your routine can be a game-changer. Here are three of my top picks:

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion – This affordable retinoid product is great for those who are new to using retinoids. It’s gentle but effective and can help improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum – This vitamin C serum is packed with antioxidants that can help protect your skin from environmental stressors like pollution and sun damage. It can also help improve the overall radiance and brightness of your skin.
Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment – This multitasking product contains lactic acid, which can help exfoliate and brighten your skin, while also reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s a bit pricier, but many people swear by its skin-transforming benefits.

Final thoughts

Alright, we’ve covered a lot of ground today! Here’s a quick recap of the key points:

Cleansing your skin is crucial, especially in your 30s when dead skin cells can accumulate more quickly.
Exfoliating with a chemical exfoliant like AHAs or BHAs can help remove dead skin cells and reveal brighter, smoother skin.
Moisturizing is essential to maintaining healthy, youthful-looking skin, and it’s important to choose a product that’s appropriate for your skin type.
Protecting your skin from UV damage is crucial, and a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 is a must.
Treating common skin concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots with products like retinoids or vitamin C serums can help improve the overall appearance of your skin.

So, what’s the key takeaway here?

Well, it’s simple: taking care of your skin in your 30s is incredibly important.

But by establishing a consistent, personalized skincare routine that addresses your specific concerns, you can help maintain healthy, radiant skin for years to come.

And remember, it’s never too late to start taking care of your skin – so why not start today? Your future self will thank you!