Hopefully, by the time you’ve reached your 30s, you’ve developed a better understanding of your skin’s needs. You may recognise signs of dryness or oiliness and know how to keep on top of it. If you suffer from rosacea or hyperpigmentation you’ve probably worked out what aggravates symptoms and have a better handle on it. Still, as with everything else in life, change never stops.
In our 30s, women in particular can experience variation in hormone levels and collagen production may begin to decline. As our bodies begin to show signs of ageing, so might our skin. Don’t panic! Your skin will still have a good amount of resilience and elasticity but pores may appear larger and you may need to make some changes to your skincare routine. In this guide to looking after your skin in your 30s, we’ll look into the good, the bad and the beautiful and help you with what your skin needs - and doesn’t need - in your 30s.
How Might Your Skin Change In Your 30s
Collagen and elastin production often start to slow down in your 30s and this can lead to early signs of ageing such as fine lines, especially around the eyes and mouth. Expression lines, from repetitive facial movements, may become more prominent (e.g., frown lines or smile lines). Wrinkles and lines are often not these terrible things we must endeavour to rid ourselves of though. They can actually deepen your beauty and even make you more distinctive.
One of the most common complaints in the 30s is that skin can appear less plump and lose elasticity, leading to a slight sagging around the jawline or under the eyes. The good news is that, although collagen starts to deplete, you still have ample supply and your skin has developed some resilience.
In your 30s, skin cell turnover may also slow which means you need to be mindful about dead skin cells getting into your pores. Sun damage from former years can also start to become visible, such as darker spots, and hormone changes may contribute to pigmentation.
Something else on the decline is your skin’s natural oil production, which can be good news for those who’ve previously struggled with oily skin. You might find you experience fewer breakouts and your complexion becomes more stable. Those with skin on the dry side though may find it more challenging to keep skin moistened and hydrated.
One possible change, that can be quite a shock to some people, is developing acne. It doesn’t happen to everyone but it can happen to both those who’ve had acne in the past and those who’ve never had an issue before. Obviously, it’s something else we can hold hormones responsible for, especially in the case of women. However, stress, diet and other lifestyle factors can also be causes or contributors.
What Your Skin Needs In Your 30s?
Moisture and Collagen
As the skin begins to produce less natural oils, those with oily skin may discover more harmony. However, it can mean skin needs some extra hydration. Before we even talk about what to put on your skin, I’m going to stress the importance of drinking water because this is the only way to truly hydrate yourself. You may also wish to use moisturiser more regularly or choose a more effective one. Oil-based face creams will best help to restore moisture and encourage your body to produce sebum.
Collagen in your 30s will also deplete so changes in skin elasticity are usually one of the first signs of ageing we notice. Hence, many people (especially women) in their 30s begin to take collagen supplements or drink liquid collagen. Does supplementing collagen work? The jury is out. Some swear it makes a significant difference and there has been research to support this, but there have also been studies that show no proper improvement.
My Eternal Skincare Pro-Ageing range contains all-natural ingredients known to stimulate collagen production in your body and is also oil-based so ideal for skin beginning to show signs of ageing. Many foods have collagen-boosting qualities, but we’ll come to that shortly.
Wear Sunscreen
“Ladies and gentlemen of the class of '99
Wear sunscreen
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it
A long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists”
- Baz Lurhmann, Everybody’s Free (song)
I’m not going to elaborate too much here because if you’re in your 30s you’ve probably already noticed some of the effects the sun has had on you. UV exposure is one of the biggest causes of premature ageing and using sunscreen does not only protect you from sunburn, it also protects against new sun damage, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and skin cancer risks. So start using it daily.
Exfoliate
Regular exfoliation (1-2 times a week) helps remove dead skin cells and promote a smoother, brighter complexion. Opt for natural exfoliants to encourage gentle skin renewal without physical abrasion.
Be cautious not to over-exfoliate, as this can disrupt the skin barrier and deplete the skin’s natural oils.
What Your Skin Doesn’t Need In Your 30s
What you might have gotten away with in your 30s, you’re unlikely to bypass in your 30s - trust me, I know. Bad diet, alcohol and lack of sleep are going to start to take their toll and we’ll start to see the effects of unhealthy habits around this time. The 30s though, can be a new era and healthy living can be a real adventure.
Good habits are not only about giving your body what it needs, it’s important for the mind too. Stress has a domino effect so it’s important to manage this with wellbeing practices that work for you. These might include mindfulness, meditation and yoga but could equally be kickboxing, crafting and cooking - whatever helps you stay centred.
If you want to boost your collagen and keep your body well as you age then you should ensure you’re getting plenty of whole foods, especially those veggies. Avoid highly processed foods that will confuse your gut and pay attention to energy levels after eating - this can help you work out what your body responds well to, and what it doesn’t. You may also want to explore foods that boost collagen production.
I won’t talk much about the ills of alcohol because we know, don’t we? I know and I still enjoy the odd drink so there'll be no preaching from me. A quick reminder though that drinking alcohol can cause or inflame rosacea, affect sleep quality and dehydrate you, therefore drying out the skin. So maybe just keep an eye on your alcohol intake and when you are on the booze make sure you’re also drinking water.
You also need better quality sleep as you get older so try to have peaceful evenings without too much blue screen time or late-night snacking.
What Products Your Skin Doesn’t Need In Your 30s
I do so love to bust the beauty myths that tempt us into buying products we don’t need. So here are two products you might be considering as you hit your 30s and you don’t need either of them. First off, don’t worry about separate day and night creams. One high-quality moisturiser is all you need and there’s no reason to have another at nighttime.
Secondly, you may notice fine lines around areas with thinner skin, such as the eyes and it might occur to you that it’s time to invest in eye cream. It’s really not. Again, your face cream should be able to hydrate all areas of your face equally. I would, however, advise using less eye makeup because some of these products can dry out the skin and removing makeup, especially with chemical wipes, may strip the skin of its natural oils.
If your skin is experiencing some change in your 30s, you may wish to learn a little about Chinese face mapping as this may help you identify the causes and potential solutions - check out my article on How To Use Chinese Face Mapping To Improve Your Skin And Your Health.