Looking radiant with fresh, healthy skin is a goal for many women. As you enter your 30s, signs of skin aging—such as wrinkles and fine lines—become more noticeable. To maintain youthful and healthy skin, it’s essential to use skincare products suited to your age and skin condition.
Why Do You Need Skincare in Your 30s?
By the time you reach your 30s, your skin undergoes significant changes. Its ability to retain moisture decreases, and collagen production slows down, leading to reduced elasticity. As a result, wrinkles, dryness, and dullness become more apparent. Other common concerns include dark spots, acne, and fine lines.
That’s why proper skincare is crucial. Your routine should focus on hydration and slowing down the aging process. Additionally, a healthy lifestyle—including a balanced diet, adequate hydration, and sufficient sleep—plays a vital role in maintaining skin health from within.
Skincare for Your 30s
As you age, incorporating anti-aging ingredients like retinol into your skincare routine can be beneficial. However, it’s important to recognize that your skin has different needs in the morning and at night. Therefore, your morning and nighttime skincare routines should be tailored accordingly.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, using excessive skincare products is unnecessary. Instead, focus on a simple yet effective routine: cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection.
You can still incorporate serums based on your skin’s specific needs, but consistency is key to achieving the best results.
Morning Skincare Routine
In the morning, your skincare should prioritize protection from environmental stressors, especially UV rays. Choose a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and apply it generously to your face, neck, hands, and any exposed skin.
Additionally, applying moisturizer to the neck area can help prevent wrinkles and sagging skin. Using a body lotion for your hands and feet is also recommended for overall hydration.
Morning Skincare Steps:
- Cleanser (Facial Wash)
- Toner
- Serum (e.g., Vitamin C, Vitamin E, or Hyaluronic Acid for hydration)
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)
For the morning, you can use a toner and serum containing vitamins C and E, or hyaluronic acid to boost skin moisture.
Nighttime Skincare Routine
At night, your skincare should focus on repair and hydration, as cell regeneration occurs while you sleep. A nighttime routine is similar to the morning routine but includes additional steps to deeply cleanse and nourish the skin.
Before washing your face, it’s recommended to double cleanse by using a cleansing balm, cleansing oil, or cleansing milk, followed by a facial cleanser. This ensures thorough removal of makeup, sunscreen, and impurities, allowing the next skincare steps to be more effective.
Nighttime Skincare Steps:
- Cleansing Balm/Oil/Milk (First Cleanse)
- Facial Cleanser (Second Cleanse)
- Toner (e.g., hydrating or retinol-infused)
- Serum (e.g., Retinol for anti-aging, Hyaluronic Acid for hydration)
- Eye Cream
- Moisturizer or Night Cream
For nighttime skincare, you can use a retinol toner or serum that improves skin elasticity and helps to keep your face looking youthful. You can also exfoliate physically using a scrub or mask, or chemically exfoliate using serums that contain AHA BHA PHA, such as salicylic acid and lactic acid.
For additional care, you can exfoliate 2-3 times a week using physical exfoliants (scrubs or masks) or chemical exfoliants containing AHA, BHA, or PHA (e.g., salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid). After exfoliating, you can enhance hydration with a sheet mask or facial oil before bed.
Once you reach the age of 30 and above, use skincare products with anti-aging formulas to support skin regeneration. Always apply sunscreen daily and practice double cleansing at night to remove dirt, dust, and dead skin cells trapped in your pores.
If you need medical advice or a consultation, you can visit a doctor or use the consultation features available in the Ai Care application by downloading it from the App Store or Play Store.
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- dr. Pandu Lesmana
Montell, A. (2022). Skincare in Your 30s: The Most Important Habits to Establish. Available from: https://www.byrdie.com/best-skincare-routine-30s
American Academy of Dermatology Association. Skin Care Tips Dermatologist Use. Available from: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/skin-care-tips-dermatologists-use
Sharkey. L. (2019). A Beginner’s Guide to Double Cleansing. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/double-cleansing
Mayo Clinic. Skin Care: 5 Tips for Healthy Skin. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/skin-care/art-20048237