In your 30s, your complexion might appear uneven, rough and less radiant. You might start to see expression lines and crow’s feet. But just because your skin is aging doesn’t mean your skin needs to look mature. There are many ways to maintain a healthy, glowing complexion. Here’s how to do it.
Add anti-aging products
Make sure to keep up with your basic skin care routine and be consistent. Continue protecting your skin from premature aging and sun damage with sunscreen. In addition to this essential routine, start incorporating anti-aging products. Here are some suggestions.
- Add powerful formulas. Both retinoids and alpha hydroxy acids are excellent anti-aging ingredients with decades of research to confirm their effectiveness.
Derivatives of vitamin A, “retinoids stimulate collagen production and increase the skin’s water content, which can prevent sagging,” according to Prevention. Available only by prescription, retinoids also reduce brown spots and wrinkles and treat acne.
Like retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) help generate collagen, smooth lines and even out your complexion. Try a product with glycolic acid, a smaller molecule that can easily penetrate the skin.
- Protect and treat the eyes. As a 30-something, you should introduce an eye cream into your nightly routine. Ladies’ Home Journal suggests a light cream formula for dry skin or a cooling gel for oily skin. Continue protecting the eye area with sunscreen if your eye cream doesn’t contain SPF.
- Consider a serum. Though they tend to be pricey, serums are powerful tools in your anti-aging arsenal. Why? “Good facial serums deliver highly concentrated antioxidants and other beneficial ingredients, giving you a lot of bang for your buck,” dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D., writes on Yahoo Health. These effective ingredients penetrate deeper into the skin than regular moisturizers. Also, serums help to produce a supple, smooth and radiant complexion.
Dr. Baumann suggests looking for a serum that contains vitamin C and ferulic acid, “in an amber or aluminum tube (or jar) with a small mouth that does not allow air in.” Try SkinCeuticals Serum 15 AOX, which combines ferulic acid and 15 percent vitamin C. Always apply serum before your moisturizer.
Handle your hands with care
With thinning skin and loss of moisture, hands begin to appear older and can reveal your true age (or worse, add years to it!). Neglecting your hands can lead to sun spots, discoloration and dry skin. If you haven’t done so already, add these steps to your routine.
- Exfoliate. It’s important to slough off dead skin cells from the hands. This helps your hands look younger and smoother and allows moisturizer to penetrate better.
- Moisturize. Invest in a rich hand cream with hydrating ingredients, such as glycerin and shea butter. You can also use a thick face cream, hand balm or petroleum jelly. Try any of these rich hand creams: Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream , Philosophy Handmade. Make sure to apply moisturizer after hand-washing to lock in moisture.
- Protect. Always apply sunscreen on your hands (and other exposed areas, like the neck and chest). You can slather on every anti-aging treatment on the market, but without daily sunscreen application, you’ll still end up with discolored, dried out, aging hands.
Learn everything you need to know about anti-aging skincare in our Anti-Aging Handbook.