The best skin care routine for your 30s

If you followed a perfect skin care routine in your twenties filled with serums, SPF sun protection, scrubs and loads of hydration, then give yourself a big pat on the back. You’ve done your thirty-something self a massive favour by delaying the onset of those telltale signs of ageing, such as dehydration, fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation.
That being said, this is the decade your skin can begin to visibly age because of slower skin cell turnover. This means dullness, lines, dark circles and dark spots will most likely start setting in.
Unless you’re up for going down the Botox route, it’s important to put a little more time and effort into your skin care routine to keep your complexion looking youthful and luminous. So, as always, we’ve got you sorted with the best skin care routine in your thirties…
RELATED: The best daytime anti-ageing routine
MAKE A DATE WITH YOUR DERMATOLOGIST
First things first, schedule an appointment with your dermo to get the lowdown on what’s going on with your skin. Is it craving anything? Does it need a good peel? Should you get regular facials? They’ll help you to assess what your skin needs to keep it in the best condition possible.
MAKE THE SWITCH TO ANTI-AGEING PRODUCTS
If you haven’t already, get your mitts on a bunch of products that’ll give your skin the daily boost it needs to fight the signs of ageing.
Cleanser
Luminous, glowing-from-within skin will make you look more youthful, so arm yourself with a cleanser containing hydroxy acids. This will also work to speed up cell renewal, in turn plumping out fine lines.
bh loves: Dr. LeWinn’s Reversaderm Glycolic Clarifying Cleanser, Elucent Gentle Cleanser
Treatment
Vitamin A is your new best friend. A form of age-fighting retinol, this active ingredient is a godsend for enhancing that glow and minimising lines. Pop on a vitamin A-rich treatment before your night cream, and then settle in to catch some zzz’s.
bh loves: Alpha-H Age Delay Intensive Anti Wrinkle Night Treatment, La Roche-Posay Redermic R
Serum and Moisturiser
At this age, your skin will lap up any moisture you give it, so treat it to an anti-ageing power duo: a hydrating serum and moisturiser. Choose a serum and moisturiser that work to protect your skin from the harmful effects of free radicals and, of course, use a day moisturiser that contains SPF.
Top tip: To save time, pop a few drops of the serum in the palm of your hand and mix it with your moisturiser.
bh loves: Pond’s Age Miracle Intensive Cell ReGEN Serum, Lacura Skin Science Wrinkle-Stop Anti-Ageing Day Cream SPF 15, Models Prefer Deep Repair Anti-Age Moisturiser, Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence
RELATED: 8 amazing face serums
MAKE BETTER LIFESTYLE CHOICES
If you spend a night guzzling vino while puffing on cigarettes, the effects are bound to show up on your skin. We’ve all got our vices, but now is the time to reconsider some of the naughty lifestyle habits. After all, health comes first – the better skin you’ll end up with as a result is a bonus!
Are you in your 30s? What does your skin care routine involve?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.
98 Member Comments
I do most of these things and have been since I was young!
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I'll be reaching my 30's soon, good to have these tips and I might even do them a little sooner.
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I'm in my mid 30's now and can see my skin is not the way it used to be, I don't really trust anyone like a dermatologist to tell me what I need though! I think they are just sales people and will try push all this stuff on you that you don't need!
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I'm not quite in my 30's yet, but I feel like I should see a Dermatologist any way, just to see how they go!
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SLEEP as well! SLEEP makes such a long term difference in how we age
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I’m in my 20s and I don’t regret using an eye cream and serum at a young age. It’s genuinely helped my skin heal and look more better than before. Plus, I felt it also helped with my self esteem. I would always feel embarrassed to go outside with my skin, but now I’m so confident!
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I said this on the 50's article but I think we need to stop targeting products based on age and start targeting for NEED. I have always had dry skin and used serums and creams designed for mature women in my 20's - stop the age discrimination please BH!
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I'd like to use a few more anti ageing products but my skin is super sensitive and most of them seem to irritate
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I am in my mid 30's and i am soooooo interested to try anti aging products.
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I think I should invest in more skin treatments
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I'm only in my 20s but I still incorporate anti aging products into my routine. Especially eye cream!
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Tried the Elucent but it was just ok.
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I am in my early 30's and I only just started religiously using sunscreen, incorporating vitamin A, vitamin C, acids and peptides into my routine. I also did change up my lifestyle - focussing on making healthier choices about food for starters.
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My skin is awful at the moment. Wrinkles show my age but then the hormonal acne makes me look younger! Haha I have dry skin but acne prone. Such a difficult skin type.
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Hormonal acne makes you look younger?
I was told that too by the person drawing my blood when I went to get my blood tested to get on Roaccutane. That comment always confuses me.
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I am in my 40s now but often get comments that I look much younger...water, exercise and vegetables (and fruit!) daily all help my skin and so does sleep! Living a full life in shows in your skin - so smile, drink water and use less products but better ones...I really like Trilogy's rosehip oil at night and a good sunscreen!
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I am 40, still skin in good condition for my age. I do whatever works at the moment. Love brightening serums (like vitC)... cosmeceuticals and good natural based moisturizers to slather over
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I have dry skin, so it's extra important to have good skin care while you're young. Plenty of moisturisation, active ingredients and sunscreen. Oily skin doesn't age as quickly.
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Whoops - double post for some reason!
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Sunscreen!!! Prevent further skin agieng and protect against extra damage from the sun after using chemical exfoliants.
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I have definitely noticed a change in my skin condition now that i am in my mid 30's. Started doing face peel at home with reasonable results.
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Being in my early 30s, I can definitely say that I have noticed a difference in my skin. Also, since coming off the pill my skin has suffered! Alpha H products are amazing though and have helped a lot!
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I think your 30s are the best time to incorporate vitamin a and sunscreen everyday!
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