I started working at the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab in my 20s and I still remember my first anti-aging skincare study. We recruit women ages 35 and older, an age that seemed so far away to my twenty-something self.
Now I’m 36, which means I can officially participate in our anti-aging studies. While I understood the reasoning behind the minimum age criteria back then, I understand it on a much more personal level now: I’m actually seeing the changes firsthand. It felt like the minute I entered this new decade, I woke up with a different skin type and a whole new set of concerns.
The skin changes I noticed in my 30s
The first thing I noticed was that my once oily complexion became combination with patches of dryness that I hadn’t experienced before. My dermatologist visits became more frequent to get new spots checked. Not to mention, my skin doesn’t feel quite as firm or bouncy as it did. It’s almost like air was slowly being let out of a balloon and suddenly lines started appearing.
Although it might feel that way, none of this actually happened overnight. Starting in your late 20s, collagen production gradually begins to slow down, cell turnover is not as fast as it once was, and sun damage from accumulated exposure begins to show. These changes can contribute to more texture, less bounce, and dark spots—exactly what I was beginning to notice in my own skin.
How to update your skincare routine for your 30s
With all these changes happening to my skin, I knew it was time to change my routine too. I needed to address my new concerns without overcomplicating things because my life moves quickly and I prefer a simple routine. These are the tips I have learned over the first half of this new decade that have helped keep my skin looking and feeling good through the changes.
✔️ Less is more. Simplifying your regimen gives you a better chance of sticking to it and allows you to be more strategic with the actives you use. You don’t need to try every new product or ingredient at the same time, something I was very much guilty of in my 20s. Instead, listen to your skin’s daily needs and choose a treatment based on your specific concerns. For me, that means sticking to a three-step method of cleanse, treat, and moisturize and then customizing the “treat” step based on what my skin needs.
✔️ It doesn’t need to burn for it to work. If you are in your 30s, we grew up in the ‘90s together when skincare was all about harsh astringents and abrasive scrubs. If a product burned, the commercials made us believe it was working.
We have come a long way since then, and I am here to tell you that you don’t need to put your skin through the wringer to get results. Opt for more gentle skincare and give it time to work (up to 4 weeks for anti-aging benefits). A tingle doesn’t necessarily indicate how well a product is working. In some cases, it can mean the product is too irritating.
✔️ Get serious about sunscreen. By our 30s, some of the accumulated UV exposure can start to show in the form of premature wrinkles and uneven skin tone. One of the best things you can do is to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen. It won’t erase the sun damage you already have but using it daily can protect against additional sun damage and helps prevent skin cancer. The earlier you can make it a daily habit, the better. I just wish I could tell my younger self that.
Morning Routine for over 30
1. Cleanse: I have combination skin with an oily t-zone, so I cleanse my face twice a day. I like to start the morning with a fresh base and then layer my AM skincare. If you have drier skin, you can either splash with water or skip this step entirely.
2. Treat: For my “treat” step, I use a vitamin C serum to help neutralize free radicals from the sun and pollution that our skin is exposed to daily, promote collagen production, and brighten my skin tone. It also pairs nicely with the next step.
3. Moisturize and protect: To top it all off, I slather on sunscreen. I don’t like a lot of products layered on my face, especially since I also wear makeup, so I look for a hydrating sunscreen. I find that my sunscreen not only protects against sun damage but also gives me just the right amount of hydration I need in the morning. If you have drier skin, you can use your regular moisturizer first and then add the sunscreen on top or look for a more hydrating sunscreen for drier skin.
Night routine for over 30
1. Double cleanse: Never have I ever gone to bed with my makeup on and I am really proud of that. No matter how tired I am, it is coming off. I usually start with a makeup wipe or micellar water on a cotton round focusing on the eye area, then follow with the same cleanser I use in the morning.
2. Treat: This is where I listen to my skin and adjust as necessary. Depending on what my skin needs, I’ll use a serum, toner, or chemical peel pad, but only one treatment product per night.
For stubborn breakouts, I will reach for a salicylic acid serum. If texture is building up, I will go in with a chemical peel pad with alpha hydroxy acids.
Retinol, unfortunately, doesn’t agree with my skin so I don’t force it into my routine. If you choose to use it, this is where you would add it. It is a well researched anti-aging ingredient for improving the look of fine lines, pigmentation, and firmness, and your 30s can be a good time to start gradually incorporating it.
3. Moisturize: After my treatment, I finish with a comforting lotion or cream. If my skin is feeling extra sensitive, I will use a richer, calming product with cica, also known as Centella Asiatica, to help soothe.
I also don’t forget about giving my lips a little TLC so I add a balm onto them to finish off my whole skincare routine.
Beyond the daily routine
I have low pain tolerance and prefer subtle anti-aging benefits, so I haven’t experimented too much with professional treatments. Low doses of injectable neurotoxins like Xeomin have helped smooth out lines in my forehead and crow’s feet.
Radiofrequency treatments like Thermage are on the higher end of my pain limit, but they have helped my skin feel firmer and more plump. These are a non-invasive cosmetic treatments that uses radio-frequency energy to help tighten skin.
My favorite treatments are facials from experienced estheticians who know how to work with temperamental skin that is acne-prone and sensitive. Every few months, I incorporate a Hydrafacial or Candela’s Glacē treatment. They are very customizable for my skin concerns and leave my skin feeling smoother and my pores are less visible. These multi-step facials mainly focus on cleansing, exfoliating and treating skin and can be tailored based on your skin type and concerns. The Glace also incorporates a gentle facial cupping massage (pictured below) that helps with microcirculation.
What I've learned about my skin in my 30s
I spent my teens thinking harsher was better and my 20s thinking more was better. At 36, I've realized neither has to be true.
My life moves fast, my patience for complicated routines has decreased, and my skin isn't the same as it was in my 20s. Instead of cramming every new trend into my routine, I've learned to keep it simple, pay attention to my skin, and adjust when needed.
