Despite the gloom and doom that often accompanies conversations about hitting your 30s and what happens to your appearance when you do, the truth is… it’s not actually that bad. Yes, this is when your skin will start to go through some significant changes, but you don’t really have to worry about wrinkles and fine lines–yet–and for the most part, issues with acne shouldn’t trouble you too much, if at all.
However, it is known that your skin starts to produce less collagen when you reach the big 3-0, and exposure to certain environmental stressors can cause what it does produce to break down faster. For these reasons, your 30s is an excellent time to start getting into habits that can help you maintain your youthful looks and prevent further damage that can accelerate skin aging. Here are the ones you need to start doing right now:
Invest in clean skin care
If you haven’t yet gotten into the habit of reading your skincare products’ ingredients lists, you may be doing your complexion a major disservice. Not all products are created equal, and many of the ones that are commercially available contain harsh, if not completely toxic, chemicals that can cause your skin more harm than good.
Among the toxic ingredients that can commonly be found in many off-the-shelf skincare products include synthetic preservatives, artificial colorants and fragrances, and heavy metals, like lead. Many of them may also contain parabens, which can wreak havoc on your hormonal system.
Clean skin care products are a much better alternative. Here at Organic Cosmetica, we only use safe natural extracts on all of our organic and plant-based products. Additionally, our clean skin care line is doctor-formulated. They’re safe for all skin types, certified vegan, and are gluten-, nut-, and soy-free. We never test on animals, and because the formulations are 100% natural and at least 60% certified organic, our offerings aren’t just better for you; they’re better for the environment, too.
Don’t skip the sunscreen
You may have gotten away with only wearing sunscreen when you’re going to the beach in your 20s, but that has to change when you hit your 30s. Damage caused by UVA and UVB rays from the sun–even when it’s cloudy out, or you’re staying indoors all day–can cause premature skin aging and hyperpigmentation.
Look for sunscreen products with an SPF rating of 50 or higher that also has antioxidants in it, which will help shield your skin from the sun’s rays while also helping it repair itself. Don’t just use it on your face, either–slather it on every part of your body that’s usually exposed to the sun, such as your down your neck, chest, and hands. You’ll also want to cover up a lot more when you go out, so consider donning a hat
Add an eye cream to your routine
In your 20s, you may have been able to stick to a basic skincare routine–but that has to change, too. After a point, sticking to a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer won’t be enough.
Your skin is thinnest around your eyes, which makes it the most susceptible to drying and wrinkles. In addition to staying hydrated (more on this later!), you’ll want to start using an eye cream that’s packed with moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which both help the skin around your eyes retain water. You may also want to look for one that contains niacinamide, which fights the inflammation that causes dark circles that make you look older than you actually are.
Learn to appreciate AHAs
Good news: your skin possesses the ability to renew itself on a regular basis. Bad news: that process starts to slow down when you turn 30. This is often the reason why you’ll start to notice changes to the texture of your skin: instead of feeling soft and smooth, you may find that it’s becoming patchy and rough.
To slough off the dead skin cells that cause those issues and help your skin produce more collagen, you’ll want to add exfoliating to your current skincare routine. Products that contain AHAs or alpha hydroxy acids are a great investment, and are much better than physical exfoliants. AHAs break down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together to reveal the fresh cells beneath. Using them will also help your skin better absorb the goodness of the ingredients in your other products.
Drink more water
Being diligent about moisturizing and investing in expensive products that contain moisturizing ingredients is all well and good, but you also have to help your skin from within. Given that one of the biggest culprits of skin aging is an overall lack in hydration and moisture, the best, easiest and most effective way to combat it is by staying hydrated.
Drinking water is vital to having healthy skin. Experts recommend drinking at least 2.7 liters of water per day for women, which will help distribute nutrients around your body and flush out toxins.
