Unlock the Fountain of Youth: Anti-Aging Skincare for your 30's

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Congratulations, you survived your 20s! While for some of you, the 20s are a time of fun, letting loose, and exploration in every aspect of your life, for me, my mid-twenties took a horrible turn. I always had clear glowing skin throughout my life and did not even get a single pesky pimple even during my teenage years when everyone around me had faces full of acne like any normal hormonal teenager. Well, I didn't stay that lucky and the moment I hit 25, my face started breaking out in deep painful cystic acne. It's safe to say my mid-twenties was a time when my self-esteem, confidence, and mental health were at their lowest. Ironically, it was when COVID hit and I was super glad to hide behind the mask. Eventually, my acne got so painful and out of control that my dermatologist had to put me on Accutane for the deep cysts and nodules. BEST DECISION EVER!

While I got rid of my cystic acne, I also developed a love for all things skincare and learned to love my skin with all its imperfections. Post-acne treatment, for me, was all about maintenance and the realization that I would soon be turning 30, which means I need to start incorporating anti-aging products.

Your 30s are a time when you might start noticing a few faint lines here and there and maybe your forehead lines will begin to move a bit more. You might also notice that your dark spots or acne scars don't fade away that quickly as compared to your teenage or 20s. That's because our skin cell turnover slows down as we age. It's time to take your skin seriously, so you can thank yourself when you are in your 50s or 60s. And for that, your number 1 best friend will be sunscreen. Apply and reapply sunscreen after every 2 hours every day, come rain or shine. You'll thank me! Your skincare products will only work if you use sunscreen in the AM, otherwise, you will be flushing money down the drain. What's interesting is that a recent study showed that tinted sunscreen is more beneficial to you in terms of melasma and dark spots as compared to a clear one. That's great news because this means more inclusive sunscreens so you can avoid the dreadful white cast and you can even use the tinted sunscreen in place of your foundation if you are going for a low-maintenance everyday makeup look. Whether you choose to wear chemical or physical sunscreen is your own personal preference, just make sure to wear SPF 50 and above. Some of my favorite sunscreens are from Elta MD, La Roche Posay, and Skinceuticals.

Another major skincare adjustment to make in your 30s is to start using a retinol or retinoid. That is the gold standard for anti-aging after sunscreen. Retinol and retinoids are topical versions of Vitamin A and increase your skin cell turnover and increase collagen production, hence, slowing down signs of again. They aren't just great for anti-aging but for acne and pigmentation as well. I personally prefer retinoids since they are stronger and more effective and get my dermatologist to fill my prescription but you can always use online prescription services like Nurx to get your prescription from the comfort of your home. There are many retinol serums available over the counter by many brands like The Ordinary, Paula's Choice and so many more. For nighttime, just use a retinoid and retinol as tolerated paired with a gentle moisturizer and you are good to go. Remember, retinoids cannot be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Another product to add to your daytime routine is Vitamin C which really gives you a glow and clears away any pigmentation and increases collagen production. Use your Vitamin C serum and moisturizer during the day and top it off with sunscreen during the day. Another product that has been getting quite popular lately is Copper Peptides for anti-aging skincare routine and are sometimes touted as 'nature's botox' but I don't think anything topical could compare to actual botox. You might want to try The Ordinary's or Biossance copper peptides as they have great reviews.

When it comes to skincare, I believe less is more. So, the most basic and frills-free approach for an anti-agin skincare routine in your 30s would be:

Cleanser

Vitamin C Serum

Moisturizer

Sunscreen

Cleanser

Retinoid/Retinol

Moisturizer

Try out this simple yet effective skincare routine and I promise you will get the results.