How do you care for your skin in your 30s?! I swear, when I hit the big 3-0, my skin turned on me. All my life, I just had to worry about the odd pimple here and there. Annoying, sure – but not a big deal. Then, I turn 30 and everything goes south.
Fine lines and crow’s feet pop up out of nowhere. The natural glow is gone. Everything feels a little rougher and like’s not working properly, you know what I mean? It’s like you go to the bed looking like a teen and wake up aged 20 years. It all happened so slowly, you didn’t even notice. Now everything’s catching up with you and you need to up your skincare game before it’s too late.
It’s time. Time to bring out the big anti-aging guns and tweak your skincare routine to the new needs of your skin. Don’t know how? Here’s how to care for your skin in 30s:
1. Use A Gentle Cleanser That Won’t Strip Skin
Did you know your skin tends to get drier as you get older? Any cleanser that leaves it tight, dry and squeaky clean is out of the question now. Steer clear of cleansers with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or strong fragrances (they’re two of the worst offenders when it comes to irritating and drying out mature skin). If your face feels tight after cleansing, that’s not a good thing anymore. That’s your skin barrier yelling for help.
Instead, opt for low ph, moisturising formulas that remove all traces of makeup and dirt without stripping your skin bare of the natural oils it needs to stay healthy.
Best Picks:
- CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser ($16.99): My fave cleanser for dry skin, it leaves it clean and soft. Available at CeraVe, Dermstore, Look Fantastic, Superdrug and Ulta
- Cosrx low PH Good Morning Gel Cleanser ($14.00): A low-ph (5.5), foaming cleanser for oily skin. Leaves your skin clean without any tightness. Available at Boots, Look Fantastic, Soko Glam, Stylevana, Ulta, and Yes Style
- La Roche Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser ($25.99): A no-frills, simple cleanser for sensitive skin. Available at Boots, Dermstore, Look Fantastic, Sephora, Superdrug, and UIta
Related: How To Choose The Best Cleanser For Your Skin Type
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2. Add Niacinamide To Treat… Everything
Think of niacinamide as the jolly of your skincare routine. It doesn’t matter what skin woe or problem you have, niacinamide can fix it. Here’s what studies prove it can do:
- It hydrates skin: it’s more effective than petrolatum at preventing water loss
- It soothes skin: it alleviates the symptoms of rosacea and irritations
- It lightens skin: it reduces dark spots, blotchiness (redness) and sallowness (yellowing)
- It helps treat wrinkles: preliminary research shows it can boost the production of skin-firming collagen
- It treats acne: its effects are similar to those of 1% clindamycin gel
Told you, it did everything! No matter what your skin type is, it’s a must for everyone:
- Dry skin: it helps keep it soft and hydrated
- Oily skin: it helps shrink large pores and heal pimples faster
- Sensitive skin: it helps soothe redness and irritations
- Mature, sun-damaged skin: it helps lighten dark spots and keep wrinkles at bay
Best Picks:
- CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion ($19.99): My most recommended moisturiser, it’s suitable for all skin types. It deeply moisturises without clogging pores. Available at Boots, Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Look Fantastic, Superdrug, and Ulta
- Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster ($49.00): You can use it alone or mix it with your moisturiser. It shrinks pores like nothing else I’ve tried. Available at Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Paula’s Choice, Sephora, and SpaceNK
- The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% ($6.00): This is strictly for oily and acne-prone skin that produces too much sebum. Works like a charm. Available at Beauty Bay, Boots, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, Sephora, SpaceNK, The Ordinary and Ulta
Related: Spotlight On Niacinamide: Why You Need To Add It To Your Skincare Routine ASAP
3. Prevent Wrinkles With Antioxidants
You know what they say, prevention is better than cure. Antioxidants are key in preventing wrinkles. They patrol your skin looking for free radicals to neutralise before they have the chance to wreak their havoc, destroy your collagen and give you wrinkles.
I’m a fan of CEF: vitamin C + vitamin E + ferulic acid. Studies show that, when used together, these 3 antioxidants supercharge each other and destroy even more free radicals. But that doesn’t mean you should stick to that only. As a rule, I make sure all my skincare products have a few antioxidants. Green tea. Coenzyme Q10. Quercetin. The more antioxidants you use, the more wrinkles you prevent.
Best Picks:
- MaeLove Glow Booster ($27.95): The cheapest Vitamin C serum in this list, it does everything the others do, but it contains a citrus extract that may be irritating for sensitive skin. Available at Maelove.
- Paula’s Choice C15 Booster ($46.75): It’s enriched with Hyaluronic Acid and glycerin to deeply hydrate skin. Available at Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Paula’s Choice, Sephora, and SpaceNK.
- Skinceuticals CE Ferulic ($169.00): The original Vitamin C serum, it costs an arm and a leg, but it works wonders and delivers what it promises. Available at Dermstore and Skinceuticals.
Related: Common Antioxidants Found In Skincare Products
4. Bust Wrinkles With Retinol
Truth bomb: vitamin A is the ONLY thing proven to really reduce wrinkles. The most common form of Vitamin A you’ll find in skincare products is retinol. It works in three ways:
- Boost the production of collagen, the protein that keeps skin firm
- Destroys free radicals before they give you wrinkles
- Speeds up cellular turnover, the skin’s natural exfoliating process
The catch? Retinol can seriously dry out and irritate your skin. If you’ve never used it before, you can’t go out, but a 1% retinol serum and use it daily. It’ll destroy your skin and dry it out like crazy (and that makes wrinkles look worse).
Instead, start with the smallest concentration you can find. Use it twice a week. Build up concentration and frequency from there. You’ll get all the benefits without the side effects.
Best Picks:
- The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion ($12.10): This simple formula contains both retinol and granactive retinoid (great at treating acne). Available at Beauty Bay, Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, The Ordinary, and Ulta
- Paula’s Choice Resist 1% Retinol Booster ($52.00): A high dose retinol serum infused with antioxidants to help you fight premature aging. You can use it on its own for maximum effect. Available at Cult Beauty, Dermstore, and Paula’s Choice, and SpaceNK
- Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum With Retinol ($39.00): This serum has a tiny dose of retinol that’s suitable for beginners. Available at Dermstore and Paula’s Choice
Related: What Strength Of Retinol Should You Use?
5. Exfoliate With Acids To Get Your Glow Back
Did you know that when you’re young, your skin’s always exfoliating on its own? But as you get older, it starts to slack on the job. That’s when you come in. You need an exfoliating acid to speed things up and give you that glow back. Exfoliating acids dissolve the glue that hold skin cells together. Once that top layer of dead cells is off, your skin looks softer, smoother and brighter.
You have 3 options here, depending on your skin type:
But… there’s a catch. Exfoliating acids are like retinol. A little gives you glowing, younger-looking skin. A lot dries it out. Use them only 2 or 3 times a week.
Best Picks:
- Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum ($90.00): This exfoliant has both salicylic acid to unclog pores and glycolic acid to fade away the dark spots pimples sometimes leave behind. Available at Cult Beauty and SpaceNK.
- Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid ($29.00): The cult exfoliant from the brand, it unlclogs pores and treats blackheads and acne. Available at Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Paula’s Choice, Sephora, and SpaceNK.
- The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution: A simple, no-frills Glycolic Acid exfoliant that brightens the complexion and fades away dark spots. Available at Beauty Bay, Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, The Ordinary, and Ulta.
- The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2% ($8.90): A simple Lactic Acid exfoliant enriched with Hyaluronic Acid to exfoliate and hydrate skin at the same time. Available at Beauty Bay, Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, SpaceNK, The Ordinary, and Ulta.
Related: AHAs VS BHA: Which One Should You Use?
6. Don’t Forget Sunscreen To Keep Wrinkles Away
Everything I’ve told you so far is useless IF you skip sunscreen. Here’s the deal: UV rays are to blame for up to 90% of premature wrinkles and dark spots. You can use all the best anti-aging products in the world, but if you skip sunscreen, they won’t be able to deal with the damage fast enough.
UV rays can penetrate through clouds and windows and be reflected on snow. Wear your sunscreen. Every. Single. Day. And no, makeup with SPF isn’t enough. You’d have to slather on a full teaspoon of foundation to get the protection on the label. Always wear a dedicated sunscreen underneath your makeup – even indoors. Light through windows still counts.
Best Picks:
- Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30 ($36.00): A tinted mineral sunscreen that’s gentle enough for sensitive skin. Available at Boots, Cult Beauty, Drunk Elephant, Look Fantastic, SpaceNK, and Ulta
- EltaMD UV Pure Broad-Spectrum SPF 47 ($40.00): One of the best sunscreens for oily skin, it provides broad spectrum protection without the stickiness. Available at Dermstore
- Paula’s Choice Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 ($33.00): My fave mineral sunscreen, it’s super lightweight and doesn’t leave a greasy residue behind. It’s suitable even for oily skin. Available at Cult Beauty, Dermstore and Paula’s Choice
What To Do If You’re Still Breaking Out In Your 30s
Yup, adult acne is a thing. Hormones, stress, diet, and even anti-aging products like rich moisturizers or retinol (at first) can all mess with your skin. Plus, your skin’s slower to heal now. Breakouts take longer to go away and the marks stick around forever. Here’s how to care for your skin in your 30s when you’re still dealing with acne:
- Keep using salicylic acid (BHA) 2-3 times a week: It gets deep into your pores, breaks down oil and dead cells, and calms inflammation. Don’t overdo it. More isn’t better.
- Don’t ditch niacinamide. It helps with acne too. It controls oil, fades red marks, and keeps your skin barrier strong. Use it daily.
- Try a non-drying spot treatment like sulfur or benzoyl peroxide (in low concentrations): 2.5% benzoyl peroxide is enough. Sulfur is gentler and good if your skin gets irritated easily.
- Be extra careful with heavy oils or thick occlusives if you’re breakout-prone: Look out for coconut oil, shea butter, and anything that feels greasy. Stick to light, non-comedogenic products.
Best Picks:
- Epionce Purifying Spot Gel ($42.00): My fave, it kills pimples faster than everything else I’ve ever tried. Available at at Dermstore
- Indie Lee Blemish Lotion ($26.00): A basic sulfur treatment that does the job well. Available at Cult Beauty and Dermstore,
- Mario Badescu Drying Lotion ($17.00): An affordable alternative to get rid of pimples quickly. Available at Beauty Bay, Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, SpaceNK, and Ulta
The Bottom Line
You don’t need a 12-step routine. You don’t need to drop hundreds on fancy products. And you definitely don’t need to panic because your skin is changing. You just need to pay attention. Adjust the basics. Focus on what your skin actually needs now, not what worked five years ago. Gentle cleansing. Daily sunscreen. A solid moisturizer. A couple of powerhouse ingredients like retinol, niacinamide, and antioxidants. That’s it.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
