With so much advice and hyped-up antiaging products doing the rounds, it can be confusing to work out which skin tips you should take in your 30s and beyond.
While turning 30 can be a crucial milestone for you, it is also when we start to see new skin issues arise.
As the general stresses of adult life may reflect in our skin, we also start to see the signs of environmental and genetic ageing. Skin cells may lose moisture faster, uneven pigmentation may develop, and the gradual diminishment of supportive tissue may cause a loss of volume. This means a slow down or cessation in the production of collagen, which leads to fine lines getting deeper. On top of all this, our growth hormones slow down, which results in our skin not healing as fast and the development of new skin concerns such as adult acne or inflamed and sensitised skin.
While it’s dependent on your skin type and the specific concerns, we’ve put together a list of our top tips for taking a holistic step toward embracing healthy and glowing skin.
Increase the Hydration.
Drinking plenty of water promotes overall health and makes your skin healthy. But keeping hydrated is not only about drinking water. Using the right ingredients in your skincare will ensure that moisture is locked in and not absorbed by the environment around us.
Exfoliate Periodically
As we age, our skin cells don’t exfoliate as well as they used to. Having an increase in dead skin cells leaves us looking dull, dry and lacklustre. But there is a fine line between over-exfoliating and exfoliating just enough. For most, exfoliating once or twice a week with a mild exfoliator is enough to keep cells turning over without causing irritations. There are many different exfoliators, and harsh scrubs may not always be the right.
Use Sunscreen Daily
Ensure you use sunscreen, no matter the weather or if you stay home or out all day. This is it if you only do one thing on your skin. It shields you from harmful UV rays and protects your skin from photo-ageing. Fun fact: we get similar UV damage from our phones and computers as we do from the sun – so wear protection every day.
Look For Key Ingredients In Your Skin Care Products
As we age, our skin demands more support from ingredients to get the same outcomes as when we were younger. Now is the time to start integrating some effective anti-ageing ingredients into your routines – such as vitamin A, Peptides and stem cells. Other targeted ingredients include AHAs (such as Glycolic, Lactic and Salicylic acids), antioxidants, Niacinamide, Essential Fatty Acids and Ceramides.
When looking at ingredients, it’s essential to check the quality and concentration of the ingredient and if the product can get the ingredients into the dermis where we need them. Now would be the time to invest in good quality cosmeceuticals rather than over-the-counter skincare.
Time to introduce supplements.
After 30, your body enters the maintenance phase, and you need to support it with adequate nutrition. The same goes for your skin. You may take vitamin and collagen supplements to boost your skin health and improve its elasticity, but internal health is just as important. Always consult your healthcare provider/nutritionist to take the necessary supplements.
Treat yourself to Regular Facials.
In clinic, facials boost the radiance and keep your skin healthy. They help improve blood circulation to your skin. Combined with a well-rounded at-home skincare routine, they may also delay signs of ageing.
Don’t Forget Your Body
Don’t limit your skincare routine to your face. When applying creams and serums to your face, remember to bring them down onto your neck, decolletage, and back of your hands. The skin on the rest of your body needs attention as well.
Another great tip is to exfoliate your body once a week and apply a hydrating body lotion daily to dampen skin (to lock in maximum absorption).
Avoid Taking Hot Showers
This is hard for me as I love a good hot shower, but hot water steals moisture from our skin. This can make your skin feel dry and flaky. Avoid taking long hot showers. Lukewarm water is best.
Ageing is a beautiful and natural thing. The least we can do is treat our skin kindly so we can age gracefully.