Skincare in Your 30s: How to Keep Your Glow Going Strong
Your 30s Skin Era Has Entered the Chat
So, you’ve hit your 30s. Welcome to the era of kind of knowing who you are, maybe going to bed on time, and—let’s be honest—not bouncing back from late nights like you used to. Your skin is evolving, and it deserves a little extra love.
In your 30s, collagen production starts to slow, cell turnover gets a bit sluggish, and you might spot the first fine lines or pigmentation patches popping up. The good news? With the right skincare routine, your 30s can be your best skin years yet.
Step 1: Prioritise Hydration Like It’s Your Job
Dryness can creep in during your 30s as your skin barrier becomes a little more fragile. Layering hydrating products is your new best friend.
Try this:
Use a gentle, hydrating cleanser (no stripping foaming cleansers, please!)
Follow with a hyaluronic acid serum or hyaluronic acid toner(my fave) to pull moisture in
Lock it all in with a ceramide-rich moisturiser
Step 2: Vitamin C Is Your Morning MVP
If dullness has made a surprise appearance, vitamin C can bring the glow back. This antioxidant brightens your complexion and helps fade early pigmentation.
How to use it: Apply a vitamin C serum in the morning under your SPF (we’ll get to that). It’ll protect your skin from environmental stressors and boost collagen production over time.
Step 3: Retinol Is Your Nighttime Secret Weapon
Retinol helps smooth fine lines, speed up cell turnover, and keep breakouts at bay. If you’ve never used it, start slowly—once or twice a week in the evening—and always follow with moisturiser. You also can’t use it alongside other actives (think vitamin c, AHAs like glycolic acid and BHA like salicylic acid) so building up and using them at different times of day is key.
Pro tip: Use a lower strength first to build tolerance. Pair with barrier-repairing ingredients (like peptides or squalane) on nights you don’t use it.
Step 4: SPF Is Non-Negotiable
If there’s one product you must commit to in your 30s, it’s daily sunscreen. UV damage accelerates ageing, causes pigmentation, and breaks down collagen—aka everything we don’t want.
Your new mantra: SPF 30 or higher, every single day, even when it’s cloudy.
Step 5: Focus on Lifestyle Habits That Support Your Skin
Skincare isn’t just what’s on your bathroom shelf—it’s your whole lifestyle.
Get enough sleep (your skin repairs itself overnight)
Eat a rainbow of antioxidant-rich foods
Manage stress—your skin feels it too
Stay hydrated (yes, water and skincare!)
Step 6: Professional Treatments for a Boost
If you’re ready to invest a little more, treatments like microneedling, chemical peels, or LED therapy can supercharge your results. Think of them as gym sessions for your skin.
Final Thoughts: Your 30s Skin Can Absolutely Thrive
Your 30s aren’t the beginning of the end for your skin—they’re the perfect time to build habits that’ll keep it glowing for decades. Be consistent, be gentle, and remember: skincare is self-care, not a chore.
Thanks for reading
Isabel x