Managing your skin once you hit your 30's can be a little daunting. So many of us still have the same concerns as we did in our 20's, but we are also trying our best to prevent signs of aging. After being on birth control pills for nearly all of my adult life, my skin has changed drastically in just three months time. I used to battle dryness, and now I'm more oily and prone to cystic bumps along my chin and jawline (in fact, I'm nursing a giant monster right now). Talk about an identity crisis! Just when I had my skincare routine down, my hormones shifted and now I'm back to feeling like a teenager again...A teenager that is worried about fine lines and wrinkles on top of breakouts.
Everyone's skin needs are different of course, but I think it's imperative that we all take great care of it. It's the first thing people notice! It's easy to be careless when you're younger, but once you reach 30, it's high time to lock down a routine that works for you, invest in some quality products, and really take skincare seriously. Here is what I do for a healthy, youthful glow:
Step 1) Cleanse
I wash my face morning and night. At the moment I'm using a cleanser by L'Oreal, but I also love Cetaphil, First Aid Beauty, and Glo Skin Beauty. I don't think the brand matters so much as the effectiveness. Use whatever works for you, but don't forget to wash off the day's makeup! This is the key to having great skin.
Step 2) Exfoliate
I don't exfoliate every single day, only twice per week but it definitely makes a difference! If you have sensitive skin, once a week is good enough to slough off dead skin cells. Out of all the products I use,
Exfolikate is the one I recommend to absolutely everyone. It's pricey, but a little goes a long way and it's the best I've used.
Step 3) Moisturize
Moisturizing has been the area in my new routine that I've been struggling with. My old moisturizers are fairly thick and heavy, and I've been so paranoid about developing a breakout. However, keeping your skin hydrated is important for all types so I've been using my moisturizers sparingly and with a lighter hand. I apply before makeup in the morning (I use one with SPF) and at night before. I also use an eye gel to help keep my undereye area soft yet firm.
Step 4) Treat
My problem areas include some discoloration on my cheeks and around my nose, as well as old acne marks on my chin. Lately I have been using a spot treatment on my chin to get rid of blemishes, but I don't use it nightly because it can be very drying to the surrounding skin. If you have any concerns like these, a great serum can help lessen the appearance of unwanted marks.
Step 5) Prevention
Lastly, the best time to prevent lines and wrinkles is in your late 20's and early 30's. Your skin is most resilient! I use a serum with retinol and fatty acids. Below are some newer products that I'm excited to try and two of them moisturize while you sleep. I'll let you know how I like them but i've only read positive things.
Is your skincare routine similar? If you have any specific questions let me know!
