The Best Skin Care Routine for 30s (2023)

Looking for the best skin care routine for 30s? In this post, I’ll share tips and product recommendations to help you pivot your skin care routine to prevent and treat fine lines and wrinkles.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase. These are products I’ve personally used, as well as are recommended by other skincare experts.

Are you ready to take on your 30s with wisdom, confidence, and a new sense of self? As we grow older and wiser, our skin does too. And with the looming thought of fine lines and wrinkles, we can’t help but wonder, how can we ensure our skin is “thirty, flirty, and thriving” too?

You’ve probably noticed some changes in your body as you entered your 30s. Your hangovers were more extreme, you needed more sleep to function, and your skin became a little duller and irritated than before.

I have to admit – when I first turned 30, I was in denial my skin was aging. But, that didn’t work so well for me. My skin felt like a parched desert and random spots seemed to pop out of nowhere. I realized that I needed to pivot my skin care routine to meet the needs of my aging (gasp!) skin.

I know how overwhelming and confusing it can be to figure out how to pivot you’re routine without causing havoc on your skin.

So, I’m here to share the learnings + a few tips on how to pivot your skin care routine to focus on anti-aging, while troubleshooting your skin conditions. So, let’s dive into the best skincare routine for your 30s together.

How Your Skin Changes In Your 30’s

Did you make it through your teens and twenties without committing a skincare sin? If so, congratulations!

Unfortunately, most of us have made some mistakes when it comes to skincare – like skipping sunscreen, using toothpaste to treat our pimples, and using thick layers of pore-clogging foundation. Needless to say, we put our skin through a lot.

That being said – Your 30s mark a new chapter in your skin’s life. You’re past the unpredictable pubescent phase (which can sometimes linger until your late 20s), and you’re likely more established in your career and finances.

This newfound stability means you can finally prioritize your skin health with confidence. But as you enter this decade, you may notice some changes in your complexion.

Let’s dive into what’s happening beneath the surface. Here is how your skin will change in your 30s.

Your Skin is Super Dry

Dry skin is no fun, and unfortunately, it’s a common issue that many people face. One reason why your skin might be feeling parched is due to slower skin turnover.

When your skin isn’t shedding its top layer as quickly as it used to, it can become more difficult for it to stay moisturized naturally. This leads to a lackluster and dehydrated complexion.

In addition to that, the production of hydrating factors in the skin, such as hyaluronic acid, decreases as you age, which can worsen the problem. So, if you’re feeling like your skin is as dry as the Sahara desert, these factors may be to blame.

Your Skin Lost It’s Glow

Is your skin looking a little lackluster lately? You’re not alone. As we age, our skin cell turnover slows down, causing a buildup of dead skin cells on the surface of our skin.

This can make our complexion appear dull and lifeless. Did you know that your cell turnover starts to slow down as early as your 20s?

Meaning new cells are visible every 28-35 days, instead of the 14 days it used to take when you were a child. Yikes….

Your Gets Irritated More Often

Your skin barrier may seem to have a mind of its own lately and be getting irritated more often. As you age, your skin becomes less tolerant of external factors like cold and dry weather, as well as harsh soaps.

The cleansers you may have used without a second thought when you were younger won’t cut it anymore. Traditional soaps with an alkaline pH disrupt the natural acidity of the skin’s pH, leading to irritation and leaving you feeling parched.

Your Skin Is More Red & Flushed

Do you find yourself constantly blushing and flushing, even in situations that don’t warrant it? You might be experiencing rosacea, a chronic inflammatory skin condition that tends to appear in your 30s.

This sensitive skin condition can manifest as redness, flushing, and even pimple-like bumps on the face, all of which can be triggered or worsened by factors like stress, weather changes, spicy foods, and even caffeine.

Unfortunately, those with rosacea are more prone to sensitive skin and intolerability to certain skincare products like vitamin c and other antioxidant serum, making it a tricky condition to manage.

Dark spots pop up from nowhere and don’t fade as fast as they used to.

Dark spots can be a frustrating and challenging issue, especially as we get older and have more years of sun exposure under our belts. These spots can appear out of nowhere and stubbornly refuse to fade away as quickly as we’d like.

The reason behind these random dark spots is due to low-grade damage caused by the sun’s rays over time, which can stimulate pigment-producing cells to overproduce. Additionally, scars from acne or other skin damage may take longer to fade as we age, due to slower cell turnover rates.

If you have a darker skin tone, you may notice these changes in pigmentation more prominently, and certain factors like hormonal changes, UV exposure, and medications can all exacerbate the issue.

Your Face Seems Less Plump Than It Used To

Have you looked in the mirror lately and felt like your face doesn’t have the same fullness it used to? As we get into our 30s and beyond, our skin undergoes some pretty significant changes.

One of the main things that happens is a slowdown in cell turnover, which makes it harder for our skin to bounce back from inflammation and repair itself.

At the same time, important proteins like collagen and elastin start to break down more quickly, while hyaluronic acid – a natural skin plumper – decreases. All of these factors can contribute to wrinkles on the forehead, crow’s feet, under-eye bags, and deeper laugh lines.

Hormonal changes also come into play, particularly a loss of estrogen that can cause a reduction in volume and bone mass in our skull, cheekbones, and jawline.

You Face The Frustrating Reality Of Cystic Acne As An Adult.

Dealing with acne can be a real bummer, especially when you’re hit with cystic acne for the first time in your 30s. It’s easy to think that you’ve left acne behind during your teenage years, but for many women, hormonal acne can really ramp up during this decade.

There are a ton of things that can throw your hormones out of whack, like stopping birth control pills, going through pregnancy, or just the everyday stress of being an adult. It can be frustrating to feel like you’re suddenly dealing with a new, unfamiliar type of acne, but the good news is that you can still manage it.

The problem is that adult skin is different from teenage skin, and it’s less resilient and slower to heal. So while topical treatments can be effective for adult acne, it can take a bit longer to see results than it would with teenage acne.

Plus, it’s easy to fall into the trap of over-treating your skin in a desperate attempt to clear up your acne, which can actually make things worse.

The Best Skin Care Routine for 30s

So, I know learning about how your skin will change in your 30s was a bit of a buzz kill.

Let’s be honest – dryness, dullness, irritation, dark spots, cystic acne, and less plump skin is not exactly what we signed up for. But the good news is that we can take control and design a skincare routine with the right ingredients to treat these issues.

Instead of succumbing to the consequences of aging, we can pivot our skincare routine to be preventative. Let me show you how.

Follow these steps to build your best skin care routine for 30s.

Step 1: Get to Know Your Skin Type

Knowing your skin type is a crucial step to building a skincare routine.

Since your skin changes over time, we need to reassess to determine what type of skin you have currently.

Keep in mind that experts have created skin type systems to help you understand your skin better. However, it’s important to view them as guidelines rather than strict rules.

Here are the four most common skin types:

Now you know about the most common skin types, here’s how you can identify your skin type.

Skin Type Test

Step 1: Start with a gentle cleanser that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils. If your skin feels tight after washing, it’s not the right cleanser for your skin – so switch to a gentler cleanser.

Step 2: Wait two hours and don’t apply anything to your skin during this time. This lets your skin return to its natural state.

Step 3: Take a small piece of oil-blotting paper and press it onto different areas of your face to see what you’re dealing with:

Step 2: Incorporate Skincare Ingredients For Aging Symptoms

Have you heard of the “Big 5” in skincare? These are the five most extensively studied skincare actives and have demonstrated proven efficacy in improving the appearance and health of the skin.

The Big 5 includes retinol, vitamin C, niacinamide, chemical exfoliants (AHAs/BHAs), and peptides. Each of these ingredients has its own unique benefits and can effectively address anti-aging concerns.

Here is a brief overview of how these ingredients can treat our aging skin.

Aging Issues	Ingredients to Treat
Irritation: Skin is less tolerant to external factors like weather and cleaners with a high pH.	Niacinamide
Dryness + Dullness: Slowed skin cell turnover causes the accumulation of dead skin cells causing dull & dry skin.	Chemical Exfoliants (AHAs/BHAs) + Vitamin C + Retinol
Dark Spots: Dark spots are caused by excessive exposure to the sun, which triggers the production of pigment-producing cells. Acne scars also tend to fade slowly due to the slowed cell turnover rate. Those with darker skin types may experience these pigmentation changes more prominently. Hormonal changes, UV exposure, and certain medications can worsen hyperpigmentation.	Vitamin C + Retinol
Less Plump Skin: Slower cell turnover, reduced production of collagen and elastin, and a decrease in hyaluronic acid. You may start to notice forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, and more prominent laugh lines. Your skin also recovers less easily from inflammation, leading to a tired and dull appearance.	Peptides

Did you know?

• Peptides are not all created equal, and not all have been thoroughly tested for effectiveness.Matrixyl 3000 is one of the original peptides that has been validated via several clinical trials and proven to be effective in visibly reducing wrinkles. Look for ingredients – Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7

• Haloxyl is another peptid that has been tested for reducing dark circles and firmness around the eye area. Look for ingredients – hydroxysuccinimide, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7.

• To achieve the benefits of Matrixyl 3000, a concentration of roughly 3% twice a day is recommended.

Fun Fact:

When it comes to anti-aging, your lifestyle matters. Studies have shown your diet greatly impacts the appearance of your skin. For example, eating healthier seems to be linked to less severe skin aging signs.

Here’s the real kicker: sugar can make you look older. Studies have found that when you consume refined carbs or high-glycemic foods, your insulin levels spike, which can lead to inflammation and accelerate the signs of aging.

My love for Ben and Jerry’s Chubby Hubby, Mochi and Sour Patch Watermelon gummies may be my demise to plump and wrinkle-free skin. Sigh!

Step 3: Develop Your Skincare Routine

By now, you’ve identified your skin type and learned about the best skincare ingredients to incorporate into your routine. Now it’s time to put all that knowledge into action and create your personalized skincare routine.

I’ve put together a skincare routine to get you started.

Best Skincare Routine for 30s.

Here’s what you need to do:

1) Tweak this routine based on your specific skincare needs.

2) Write down your morning & pm routine.

3) Take a look at your current products. Determine which ones you need to toss and which ones you need to replace. Remember, it’s important to only use products that are specifically designed for your skin type and concerns.

4) Beside your am + pm routine, write the appropriate product to each one of your skincare routine steps.

5) Make a list of the products with the active ingredients you’ll need to purchase.

6) Time to go shopping. Look for products that contain the active ingredients.

Recommended products for skincare routine for 30s.

Step 4: Test & Tweak Your Routine

How Do I Incorporate New Products Into My Routine?

So, you’ve got some new skincare products you’re dying to try out – we’ve all been there! But before you start slathering them all over your face, let’s take a moment to chat about the best way to introduce new products into your routine.

First things first, it’s crucial to introduce products gradually. I know, it can be tough to resist the urge to see what kind of miracles each new product can work on your skin, but trust me, taking it slow is worth it.

If you start using a bunch of new products at once and your skin reacts badly, how will you know which one is to blame?

Instead, try introducing one new product at a time, every three to four weeks. This way, if something doesn’t agree with your skin, you’ll be able to pinpoint the culprit and avoid further damage.

And speaking of avoiding damage, never, ever try out a new product a few days before a big event, like a wedding or a photoshoot. If something goes wrong, your skin won’t have enough time to recover before the big day – yikes!

One more thing – always, always do a patch test before slathering a new product all over your face. Even if you’ve never had a bad reaction before, allergies can develop at any time. It’s better to be safe than sorry, right?

How Long Will It Take For My Skincare Products To Work?

It can be frustrating when you feel like your serum or moisturizer isn’t doing anything, right? But don’t give up hope just yet! As a general rule, you should give it at least 28 days, which is how long it takes for your skin to renew itself.

However, there are exceptions to the rule. Let’s break it down by product type:

• Cleansers work straight away, as they remove dirt, makeup, and impurities from your skin.

• Glycolic and Salicylic: May take up to a month to see full benefits.

• Moisturizers are the quickest way to improve the appearance of your skin, and you’ll likely see results within 1-2 days.

• Acne products, it can take anywhere from 1 week to 1.5 months, depending on the severity of your acne.

• Retinol and Vitamin C: you’ll need to wait at least 3 months to see results.

Remember, beautiful skin takes time and patience, but with the right products and a little bit of faith, you’ll get there.

How Long Do You Need To Wait Before Applying The Next Skincare Product?

You just need to wait until the product has sunk in before applying the next one. Most of the time, this only takes a few seconds. However, if you’re using a richer cream, it may take a couple of minutes.

If your skin feels a bit tacky 5 minutes later, you’ve probably used too much product. Don’t worry; just go easy on it next time. There are a couple of exceptions to this rule.

• If you’ve applied sunscreen, wait 15-20 minutes before doing your makeup. This will give the sunscreen enough time to settle down and form an even, protecting layer.

• Also, if you’re using more than one active ingredient and not sure if they’re compatible, wait 15/20 minutes between applications.

FAQ

What should I do for my skin in my 30s?

I recommend focusing on prevention when it comes to taking care of your skin in your 30s.

Incorporate gentle exfoliation (AHAs) and antioxidants into your routine, as well as products that target fine lines and wrinkles like retinol, vitamin C, niacinamide, and peptides.

Additionally, make sure you practice proper sun protection every day and don’t forget to apply SPF!

Is it too late to start a skincare routine at 30?

It’s never too late to start a skincare routine! Creating a good skincare routine doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming – just pick products that are designed for your skin type and concern, then stick with them.

With consistency and patience, you should start to see results within a few weeks.

Wrap Up

You don’t have to hit pause on glowing skin just because you’re in your 30s.

With the right lifestyle choices, strategic product selections and clever tips and tricks, you can ensure your skin maintains its healthy balance, vitality and radiance while also addressing any signs of aging.

Taking proactive steps now can help keep wrinkles, dark spots, and other signs of aging at bay and ensure that your complexion radiates youthful radiance for years to come. Investing in quality ingredients, like peptides and antioxidants, is essential for preserving and protecting the vibrancy of your skin.

When it comes to finding the best anti-aging solutions, listen to the advice of dermatologists, read up on reviews, and experiment until you get your desired results.

Your ritual should always be tailored to your individual needs – if something doesn’t work for you after a couple weeks of trial, stop using it.

Most importantly, embrace yourself and all the changes that come along with each decade! Life’s too short not to look – and feel – your best regardless of age.