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What I’ve Learnt About My 30s Skin
Looking back at university photos from when I was in my 20s and despite having a poorer diet and consuming a fair amount of booze each week, my face looked fresh. There we no filters you could apply to photos back then, nor did I have a huge amount to spend on decent makeup or skincare, so I simply had mother nature to thank for the glow. Fast-forward to now, I am a parent to a 1-year-old and I am 32. I am educated about skincare and have more disposable income, but my skin does not look like it did.
It’s common knowledge that during your 30s your cell turnover starts to slow down and collagen and elastin production decrease. Hormones also play a part, especially when you’re expecting and despite having a pregnancy glow during most of my time carrying Z, I have certainly noticed a postpartum dip in my skin.
But if you’re reading this and starting to feel a little down, don’t worry – as with the right care, your skin can bounce back and act preventatively. My skin may not be as naturally youthful as it was, but I knew that wouldn’t be the case forever, however, I am proud of the skin I have achieved. Yes, achieved as skincare does need work.
I’ve jotted down a few key things that I’ve changed over recent times in order to adapt to my changing skin and generally speaking they will work over the coming decades too.
1) Change your products
I’ve learnt that I can’t just buy one product and stick with it. Our skincare needs change during different seasons, times of the month and over the years. I have now invested in a range of products from different brands, which work. I have products that deal with acne because news flash people these do not vanish post-teenage years, to those that help combat the signs of ageing, to ones that help exfoliate and others that simply take off my makeup but aren’t a dreaded facial wipe! (Why didn’t anyone tell me how bad makeup wipes were when I was growing up – yuk!) Trading wipes for cleansers was one of my biggest learning points.
Anyway, the bottom line is that I now have had expert advice which means bespoke skincare. The brands I use, Environ, Medik8, Obagi, Dr Levy and Dermaquest are cosmeceutical and they are results-driven. They aren’t bought on the high street in a blind-panic nor are they stolen from my mum’s bathroom cupboard.
Products that currently are in my skincare cupboard:
Makeup Remover
Cleansers
– Dermaquest’s C Infusion Cleanser
For acne
– Dermaquest’s Dermaclear Pads
Moisturiser
Nighttime boost
Day time hydration boost
– Eye cream
– Dermaquest’s Peptide Eye Firming Serum
– SPF
– Obagi’s Professional C Suncare SPF
Masques
2) You can’t beat a treatment
When we are younger it is drilled into us to visit the dentist and the hairdressers every few months. However, certainly, when I was younger, skincare wasn’t talked about as much as one of the essentials we should maintain. Not only is time spent at a professional clinic amazing for your wellbeing, but a good facial also has the ability to bring a brighter, healthier appearance to your complexion. They can reduce dullness, tighten your skin and improve fine lines and wrinkles. Because let’s face it – I have a few of those now!
Not only do I try and get a regular peel in but I am a huge advocate for light therapy, which plumps out the skin by stimulating collagen and increasing hydration. That’s the secret to my 30’s glow…!
3) Makeup is skincare
The right makeup can let your skin breathe as well as protect you, most foundations have SPF these days. I am all for Jane Iredale’s mineral range which won’t clog up your pores and it will nourish your skin. It’s so good, if you fall asleep in it (which we don’t advise that you do) but if you do it won’t undo your hard work! I honestly find it shocking the amount of makeup we use to cake on before a night on the tiles, and it was full of parabens, talc, perfumes probably too! As a clean beauty brand, Jane Iredale’s makeup is free from all of that and is cruelty-free. What’s not to love?!
4) Sleep and water!
Don’t know about you but I can’t actually stay awake past 10 pm these days, which is a good thing as ample sleep definitely does make your skincare routine work to your advantage. If you don’t get enough repair mode time it will undoubtedly show. Sleep is as important as staying hydrated and getting enough water, which in itself is another top tip. Hydrate, hydrate hydrate. So, there you have it, two in one. Zzzz’s and water, trust me your skin will thank you for it.
