For many people, your 30s are when you begin to notice the early signs of aging. It’s also when lifestyle factors such as lack of sleep or sun exposure start to show on your skin. If you are like many people, you are beginning to take skin care more seriously than you did in your 20s. You may be wondering how to take care of your skin in your 30s.
We are happy to help. Remember that this article isn’t a substitute for personalized advice from an aesthetic professional. The best skin care advice is tailored to your skin type, lifestyle, and health history. It’s important to understand how to learn your skin type. However, there are a few fundamentals that most people, if not everyone, in their 30s would benefit from.
If you are unsure of the best products for your needs, consider consulting with a dermatologist or aesthetic skin health professional at Medispa. For example, we carry only high-quality, medical-grade, skin care lines, including ZO® Skin Health Products, Alastin Skin Health, and SkinMedica® Products. Depending on your needs, one of them will most likely have the right products specific to your unique skin.
Gently Clean and Exfoliate Your Skin
Use a gentle cleanser to remove makeup, dirt, and oil from your face. If you still have acne or occasional breakouts, look for a gentle cleanser designed to help with that. Also, consider whether you wear waterproof makeup. The goal is a product that will do its job removing it without stripping your face of its natural oils.
If you wear waterproof mascara, you may also want a gentle eye makeup remover.
Finally, almost everyone benefits from using a gentle exfoliator to remove dead skin that may be clogging the pores. The ideal choice for exfoliation hinges on your skin’s characteristics and how sensitive it is. For instance, a young adult grappling with oily skin and acne would benefit from different products compared to an older individual with thin, dry skin who is worried about potential wrinkle formation. In your 30s, it comes down to your skin style and sensitivity. Make sure to follow a custom morning face routine order too.
Keep the Skin Hydrated
Even people with oily skin benefit from keeping the skin hydrated and moisturized. If you have dry, sensitive skin, this becomes even more crucial. Also, some professional-grade moisturizers have ingredients that help the skin maintain its protective barrier cream, help prevent premature aging, and make the skin look dewy.
As with the cleanser and exfoliator, the best hydrating product is specific to your skin type. If you have dry skin, it should feel soothing. If you have oily skin, it should help maintain hydration without clogging the pores. In this case, a light-textured water-based serum may work best, while someone with dehydrated skin might want a richer ceramide cream moisturizer.
Prevent Premature Aging
The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) outlined some of the common yet preventable causes of premature skin aging. They include:
- Sun damage
- Smoking or using tobacco products
- Habits like repetitive facial expressions lead to expression lines and wrinkles
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Lack of sleep
- Poor nutrition
By the time you reach your 30s, the effects may start to show. You can prevent additional damage by making lifestyle changes. For example, if you smoke, this is one of many great reasons to quit.
If you’ve been inconsistent with sun protection, now is the time to start. If you wonder “Do I really need SPF daily” the answer is yes. Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen every day. Especially if going outside and before getting in a car or airplane. Remember even if it’s cloudy or you’re working in the office, your skin is being bombarded by free radicals, pollutants, and other agents that damage skin every day.
There are many formulations for specific skin types, whether you have naturally oily, dry, or sensitive skin. Wear sunscreen or sunblock with at least 30 SPF (Sun Protection Factor). Broad spectrum means that the sunscreen protects your skin against both UVA and UVB rays. Not all sunscreen products do, so read the label and look for that information.
Other sun protection tips include:
- Consider using clothing and stylish accessories to block sun damage, including scarves, hats, or a rash guard while swimming. This isn’t to say you can’t enjoy wearing cute summer clothes; just be sure to wear sunscreen and have a coverup handy in case you cannot reapply the sunscreen.
- Wear sunglasses that also protect against both UVA and UVB rays. The sun damages the eyes as well as the skin. Also, a good pair of sunglasses can prevent early expression lines from squinting constantly in the sun.
Many people opt for Botox in their 30s to smooth early forehead lines, crow’s feet, or “11s” lines between the eyebrows. Botox works by temporarily relaxing targeted muscles that we habitually tense, causing expression-related wrinkles. Relaxing those muscles both smooths existing expression lines and helps prevent them from forming since you won’t be unintentionally tensing them throughout the day.
30’s are one of the best age for Botox including any other medispa rejuvenation treatments like microneedling, Vivace Ultra RF microneedling, or chemical peels Charlotte NC depending on your skin type, budget, and whether you are showing early signs of aging, overall health, and skin texture.
Treat Any Issues Specific to Your Skin Type or Lifestyle
In your 30s, you may still have occasional, hormone-based acne breakouts, specific skin issues like eczema, rosacea, early signs of wrinkles, sun damage, or different types of hyperpigmentation. Whatever your skin concerns, your skincare routine should address those needs. You may want a vitamin C serum to help fight sun damage or an acne serum to treat pimples. This is highly individual since skin issues vary so widely among people in their 30s. The main rule of thumb is genetics and lifestyle factors start showing consequences. You may notice that you can’t stay up all night working or partying and still have a fresh, dewy look in the morning.
The best way to find the right products and treatments is through a consultation with a professional. If you want custom-tailored advice on the products, techniques, and treatments for your needs, contact The Skin Center by CPS.
We help Charlotte, NC, area residents in their 30s and every age look their very best and feel confident in their skin. Being part of the Charlotte Plastic Surgery family we share the same commitment to quality care, excellence, and high standards. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.