How to Adapt Your Skincare Routine in Your 30s

Can we agree our 20s are a messy time? It is easy to get away with a lot. Like being out all night clubbing and drinking, then going for a lecture first thing in the morning. A hangover isn't even a blip on the radar.

Our 30s, however, are much better. We care less what anyone thinks, it is socially acceptable to stay in, and a new hoover becomes a major splurge. But our 30s have their set of challenges. Knees start to squeak, some foods become a source of discomfort, and our skin changes too. With just a few simple tweaks; it is easy to adapt your skincare routine in your 30s.

Protect your skin

Brace yourself - we are going to bang on about sunscreen again. One thing you can do on a daily basis to prevent any signs of aging is using sunscreen. Yes, we harp on and on about it, but prevention is always better than the cure. There are plenty of horribly thick sunscreens on the local high street. But now more than ever, it is possible to find lovely light fluids so cosmetically elegant, it feels like you are not wearing an SPF at all. It might take some trial and error to find the perfect fit, but it makes all the difference.

Gentle and regular cleansing

In our 20s, we could get away with using facial wipes. But as we hit our 30s (and beyond), proper cleansing is essential for healthy skin. No, your face won't fall off if you use a wipe or if you manage to fall asleep with your makeup on (shock horror). Just don't make it a habit. Try a cream, a balm, or an oil cleanser as a first evening cleanse and then for a second cleanse go for a gentle, pH friendly cleanser.

Exfoliation

As we get older, our skin cell turnover slows down. The process of shedding old skin cells and regrowing of new skin cells now takes between 28 and 35 days. What it means is your skin might look dull and feel drier. One way to get radiant skin is with regular chemical exfoliation. That said - while using acids as a part of your regular skincare routine has plenty of benefits, please do keep in mind you need to introduce them slowly. It is easy to get too enthusiastic (especially in the beginning) and over-exfoliate your skin. It is unnecessary to use acids twice a day to see the effects. Everyone's skin is different, so start slow and monitor your skin carefully.

Night time routine - retinol

In our 30s, it is time to introduce retinol into our routines. It is an all-star ingredient that can help minimise the appearance of wrinkles. It fades sun damage, refines skin texture, and helps treat blemishes and acne. The effects of retinol on the skin are backed by plenty of research. Obviously, how we age is influenced by a ton of factors (from genetics to our lifestyle). But our 30s are the time to tackle those signs of aging head-on. And for the love of everything - start slow. Arm yourself with patience. Unless you decide to dive right in with the prescription strength retinol, it can take up to 12 weeks to see the results. Retinol use is a marathon, rather than a sprint.

Morning routine - antioxidants

Regardless of our age, antioxidants should be a part of our morning routine. Antioxidants protect the skin against free radical damage, which is the main source of oxidative stress. They also protect the skin against the harmful sun rays and boost the synthesis of collagen (which, as we know, starts to go downhill at some point in our 20s).