Let’s face it: skin care is complicated. It seems like every day another breakthrough is made in the world of dermatology and a dozen new products flood the market that we never knew we needed. And then there’s all the conflicting information out there. One moment coconut oil is everything and then all of a sudden we’re being advised to take it easy on the coconut oil.
Figuring out the ideal beauty regimen can be frustrating, especially as we enter our 30s when skin truly begins to require attention and maintenance. Not only is the rate of new cell production slowing down, but collagen (which gives skin strength) and elastin (which gives skin elasticity) begin to weaken as well. Because of this, we may notice skin becoming drier and duller along with the onset of a few wrinkles during this decade.
To tackle these issues, we put together a list of essential skin care products and tips to keep your face looking bright and luminescent as you stride into your 40s.
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NEW Every Face Product Your Skin Care Routine Needs in Your 30s
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NEW Every Face Product Your Skin Care Routine Needs in Your 30s #1
Thirtysomething skin needs a little extra TLC to help combat loss of hydration and a drop in collagen and elastin production. To find out how to keep skin looking plump, bright and youthful, we asked experts to recommend the ideal morning and evening beauty regimens to start now.
Image: Imaxtree
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Cleanser: A.M. and P.M. Regimen
Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash, $23 at Sephora
In the morning: All you need is a gentle cleanser to rinse off your skin's natural oils and any product you applied from the night before.
In the evening: This may be the right time to reiterate some skin care advice you’ve probably heard all your life: washing off all makeup before going to bed is essential for maintaining clear, healthy skin. Dr. Lamees Hamdan, founder and CEO of Shiffa, is an advocate of using a muslin cloth for this step and double cleansing at night to ensure all makeup is removed. "I would greatly recommend cleansing twice at night (use your same cleanser but just repeat)."
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Toner: A.M. and P.M. Regimen
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Toner, $16 at Kiehl’s
After cleansing, you'll want to follow up with a toner. Toner-users know what a powerful extra step it is toward removing oil and traces of dirt: the evidence is right there on your wipe after use. Dermatologists typically recommend toner to those with acne-prone skin as it not only acts as an extra cleanser to remove sunscreen and makeup but also helps restore your skin’s pH balance. Cleanser tends to boost skin’s alkaline levels, which results in skin working overtime to return to its natural balance with the production of oil. Toner can restore this balance quickly without triggering the production of oil.
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Hyaluronic Acid: A.M. Regimen
Kate Somerville DermalQuench Liquid Lift Advanced Wrinkle Treatment, $95 at Nordstrom
After cleansing and toning, an easy rule of thumb to follow when applying skin care is to start with the thinnest consistency and end with the thickest, using products in this order: liquid, serum, lotion, cream, oil. It's also important you allow each product to be absorbed before moving on to the next step in your regimen.
Hyaluronic acid typically comes in liquid or serum form and is a naturally occurring moisture-binding ingredient our bodies produce to create lubrication for joints, skin, hair and extremities. It maintains collagen production and retains moisture remarkably well. In fact, 1 gram of hyaluronic acid can hold up to 6 liters of water. Because of this, the beauty industry has embraced it as a key ingredient for retaining skin’s moisture and, ultimately, vitality. This is one step you’ll want in your regimen.
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Antioxidant: A.M. Regimen
The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream, $14 at The Body Shop
The next step in your regimen could be a serum or moisturizer containing an antioxidant, like Vitamin E. Smoking, drinking, air pollution and sunbathing can all lead your body to produce free radicals, which cause cells to function poorly or die. Antioxidants, like hyaluronic acid, are produced by the body and function as a defense system against free radicals by neutralizing them, thereby reducing stress on your skin. There are dozens of effective antioxidants you can use to protect skin and antioxidants make great team players as they perform even better together. Vitamin E is one of the most highly praised antioxidants commonly found in skin care products and is known for its healing properties and ability to remove scarring.
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Moisturizer With SPF 30+: A.M. Regimen
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Pure Mineral Sunscreen Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 40, $30 at Sephora
The moisturizer you used in your 20s will not provide the level of care your skin requires in your 30s, so it's important to upgrade to something more hydrating. On top of this, you need daily sun protection with SPF 15 or higher to protect skin from the damage caused by harmful UVA and UVB rays. Joanna Vargas, celebrity facialist and founder of Joanna Vargas Salon and Skincare, has a strong warning for thirtysomethings: "If you aren't wearing a hat and sunscreen daily, you need to start now. Sunscreen needs to happen every day, even in the winter because now you’re going to start seeing the effects of the sun." UV rays are responsible for causing more than 90 percent of visible signs of aging, so take this step seriously.
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Eye Treatment: A.M. and P.M. Regimen
Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment, $38 at Tarte
After applying your moisturizers and serums, it's time to move on to facial creams. Now is the time to pay attention to the area around your eyes that starts showing signs of aging in our 30s. The eye area is especially thin-skinned and prone to crow’s-feet, dark circles, hollowing and puffiness. Look for an eye treatment that contains vitamin C to boost collagen production, brighten skin and diminish the appearance of wrinkles. This is a product you can use both morning and night, depending on your level of concern.
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Retinol: P.M. Regimen
RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Anti-Aging With Mineral Extracts, $17.95 at Amazon
After cleansing and toning, your next step should be a retinol product to stimulate the production of new skin cells and boost collagen production. Retinol is key for keeping crow’s-feet and fine lines at bay in your 30s. Hamdan advises using retinol on all of the face, the neck and under the eyes. Note that most retinol products need several weeks of use to kick in, so be patient if you don't see instant results. When using retinol, skin is even more sensitive to the sun, so it's essential you use sunscreen every day.
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Face Oil: A.M. and P.M. Regimen
KORA Organics Noni Glow Face Oil, $68 at Sephora
If you haven’t tried facial oils before, you're missing out. Those who use oils swear by them and can’t imagine living without them. Since you're applying skin care products from thinnest to thickest, this usually means saving oils for last. Facial oils are packed with vitamins and antioxidants that replenish and repair skin and they're highly concentrated, so you only need a few drops. Model Miranda Kerr, who uses her own Noni Glow Face Oil, likes to mix facial oil with moisturizer.
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Blemish Treatment: As Needed in P.M.
M-61 PowerSpot, $16 at Amazon
If applying spot treatment, it should be the final step in your skin care routine, after all other products have been absorbed. Hamdan suggests looking for blemish treatment products containing sulfur and Melissa hydrosol. "In your 30s, acne is usually hormonal or due to diet and I have found these two ingredients to be effective for that. Also, try giving up dairy for two months and see if it makes a difference."
Tea tree oil is also known for targeting problem skin and can be a much gentler alternative than harsher acne treatments. M-61 PowerSpot treatment uses a blend of salicylic acid, glycolic acid, colloidal sulfur, witch hazel and tea tree oil for individual breakouts. Balancing soothing ingredients like aloe and cucumber will keep your skin hydrated and minimize irritation while targeting that zit you need zapped.
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Mask: Weekly Regimen
Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Rescue Mask, $62 at Sephora
Both Vargas and Hamdan recommend masking once or twice a week. Masking is ideal for targeting specific issues like dry skin or acne. Masks work more efficiently than your usual skin care products by delivering the treatment deeper into skin. Hamdan recommends seeking out masks with fruit acids, such as Fresh's Lotus Youth Preserve Rescue Mask. The ever-popular alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) come from fruit acids and are a great way to exfoliate skin.
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Facials: Monthly Regimen
If your budget allows, you may want to see a facialist approximately every four weeks. This is the amount of time skin cells take to move through a full life cycle of cell growth, emerging from the dermis and then making their way to skin's surface where it eventually is shed. Vargas believes every girl in her 30s should have a facialist she trusts to take care of regular facials and light therapy. "It’s essential for good health and anti-aging."
Image: Getty
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Water: A.M. and P.M. Regimen
SodaStream Jet Starter Kit, $83.99 at Target
As skin becomes duller, drier and less elastic in our 30s, drinking those eight glasses a day of water becomes even more important. Water plumps up skin by increasing blood flow and improving hydration. The production of collagen is also supported by water and the concentration of oil on your skin is diluted by water as well. How about that for a totally free and widely available resource? For maximum benefit, drink a steady flow of 8- to 10-ounce servings throughout the day. If you guzzle those servings all at once, your body will quickly convert it to urine as your body can only absorb so much water every hour.
