Unlock the Secret to Glowing Skin in Your 30s with These Top Skin Care Tips

Our Summer by Daniel Faró

Does it seem like you woke up one day with a totally different skin type? It’s completely normal to experience changes in your skin and see subtle signs of aging in your 30s. There’s no need to stress, though! Here are some easy tips to keep your skin in tip-top condition as you live your best life as a thirty-something.

First, let’s take a deeper look at what you may be experiencing and why. As each decade passes, our skin loses its natural hyaluronic acid (HA), and collagen begins to break down. By the age of 60, our epidermal supply of HA is completely depleted. In addition, the pace at which our skin cells naturally shed and turnover slows down. 

Lifestyle habits such as alcohol intake, smoking, diet, and stress exacerbate these issues. The result is visible by way of a rougher texture of skin, dullness, fine lines, and lax skin.

To manage these changes, exfoliation and nourishment will be your best friends. The best way to keep skin smoother is to have a healthy exfoliation routine. Depending on your skin type, you may choose a physical scrub or a chemical exfoliant containing lactic or glycolic acid to use twice a week. On a different two nights each week- apply a retinol based serum or moisturizer. Retinol boosts skin cell turnover, resulting in smoother firmer texture and less prominent fine lines. It’s very important not to exfoliate on the same nights as retinol usage to avoid irritation. Nightly, look for ingredients such as: hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or squalene to seal in moisture.  

The second issue you may notice is an increase in darker spots on the skin known as hyper-pigmentation.

If you were a sun goddess in your teens and twenties, you’ll notice sun damage begin to pop up in your 30s. While invasive medical procedures like microneedling and laser therapy can be effective for treating hyperpigmentation, not everyone is a good candidate for those services. Treatments such as chemical peels or microdermabrasion performed by a licensed esthetician may take longer to see results, but are worth the investment. 

At home, make sure your skincare regimen includes Vitamin C serum, which helps correct hyperpigmentation issues. Other beneficial ingredients to look for are lactic acid, and tranexamic acid- which is a great option for those with darker skin tones. Most importantly, make sure you are wearing an SPF of 30- even if it’s not sunny outside and even if you have darker skin or skin that tans instead of burns. If you have windows, wear an SPF. Your skin will thank you both now, and later. 

Your 30s is also the perfect decade to begin yearly body scans with a dermatologist to check for any suspect moles or lesions.  

Lastly, you may be shocked to realize that you’re 30+ years old and STILL breaking out like a teenager! Again, this can be due to a number of factors such as: birth control, shift in hormones, stress, environmental pollution, food sensitivities, or internal health. Adult acne needs to be approached differently than it was in your teen years. 

As teenagers, you probably used harsh products to “dry out” acne, and it may be tempting to repeat that. However, as we age, our skin produces less oil which means we are at risk of stripping the skin and compromising its barrier. The healthier approach to adult acne is to reach for anti-inflammatory ingredients such as: salicylic acid, mandelic acid, green tea, and niacinamide. These will help to keep the pores clear, reduce redness and irritation associated with breakouts, without weakening your skin’s protective functions. You may also look into allergy testing, or get your hormone levels evaluated to identify the root cause of your breakouts.

The key takeaway is that a new decade may call for new habits

By listening to your body and being open to switching up your skincare practices- you will remain as gorgeous on the outside as you are on the inside! Still need a little help on your skincare journey? Book a facial with me at Lemon Lounge Skincare Studio- my cozy space located in DTLA’s Arts District. Together we can come up with a long term treatment plan and home care routine to address all your skin’s needs.

For more skin tips follow me on Instagram at @lemonloungeskincarestudio