Your 30s are probably the most crucial time when it comes to your skin. If you’re like me, you grew up in the 00s/10s when all the products were far too harsh and your skin is still paying for it 20 years later. There are also so many products on the market right now that it can get overwhelming. Here’s my guide on how to set up your best skincare routine in your 30s.
Stay hydrated
I’ll start with some more generic advice but drinking water is good for you! Who knew? However, it’s a habit that many of us aren’t consistent with. For me, I know I feel better when I’m hydrating properly and regularly. My skin is better, my overall energy levels are higher and I get fewer headaches, which is the biggest win for me. I believe the aim is meant to be two litres per day but the warmer it is, the more I aim for three. Whilst you can count every drink, I try to only count water and diluted juice as it’s water-based.
Eat a balanced diet
Another ground-breaking point but unfortunately, it works! I’ll never be someone who has a massively healthy diet. I love chocolate, sweets and snacking too much to give them up completely! Instead, I try to reduce the amount I eat, giving myself a snack box every day. Now, I’m focusing on adding more vegetables to my diet, upping my protein and trying to meal prep healthy meals in advance so I don’t just go for convenience food constantly.
Keep it simple
If you’re chronically online like me, you probably get bombarded with tonnes of products through adverts as well as influencers. However, you do not need a 10-step routine and buy up every product that they have. Many influencers are literally paid to promote certain brands/products so they might not always be truthful too (not all but some). If you’re new to skincare, it’s best to start off with a handful of products and stick to it for a while before making it more complicated. Cleanse, tone, moisturise has worked well for so long so why not stick to it? Add in SPF for mornings and a serum to treat your skin concerns in the evenings and you’re good to go.
Be consistent
As I said above, skincare works best when you stick to it! Yes, that means every day and night. This is definitely a habit that I need to work on myself because there are some nights that I’m too tired to complete my skincare routine. It’s usually when I’ve been out past my bedtime and I just want to get straight into bed! Sure, missing one day or night won’t make a huge difference but the more you miss, the less your skincare is going to work properly.
Have a day + night routine
Everything about skincare is personalised. Unless you have the exact same skin as someone on TikTok, I wouldn’t copy their exact same routine. Instead, I’d think about doing your own research and considering your own skin type. However, having two different routines is a good idea. You can definitely use many of the products in both routines but I always find it’s best to give my skin some extra hydration in the evening. That way, the product has lots of time to sink in and work its magic overnight when I’m not going to be touching my face.
Add in extra products as + when you need them
With that being said, I do add in extra products once or twice a week, from masks to serums. It works especially for new products, as often, you don’t know how your skin is going to react. Because I have eczema and sensitive skin, I have to use milder products so I do a lot of research on them before purchasing. For example, I’ve recently started using a low % retinol. I’m only using it on Sunday nights and I’m about three weeks in. I’m not sure it’s actually doing anything for me yet but I’ll persevere through the full bottle to make sure.
Keep up with appointments
This applies to facials, dermaplaning, massage, peels, microdermabrasion, etc but also carries over the hair, nails, waxing, threading, and the like too. Getting into a routine means with your appointments too. However, these appointments can be spendy so that’s why I have a beauty appointments sinking fund to cover them! For me, I try to get dermaplaning every three months but only when my skin feels 100% ready for it. Just try to book in your next appointment straight after you’ve finished one so you don’t forget!
Wear SPF every single day
This should be a non-negotiable for everyone! I’ll admit that because I’m at home most of the time, I don’t use an SPF 50 every single day but whenever I leave the house, I apply factor 50. As a sensitive skin girlie, I need the highest factor. Even if you think you don’t need it, you definitely do. Skin cancer is not cool so why would you even risk it? It’s relatively cheap compared to most skincare products too!
If you’re looking for inspiration on how to set up your best skincare routine in your 30s, here are the products that I’m currently using.
My AM skincare routine
In the morning, I use B. micellar water with a reusable cotton pad before Boots’ old sensitive skin range’s toner, which I bulk bought because it’s now discontinued. Before serums, I spray the Boots replenishing mist all over my face. Next, I go in with my Simple serums: hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. To keep all that moisture in, I smother my face in a sensitive skin moisturiser (it’s super cheap too) before adding the Simple hydrating eye gel. If my face feels really dry, I put on an additional day cream before finishing with the e.l.f. SPF stick in factor 50.
My PM skincare routine
Once again, I use micellar water as my first cleanse as I find a lot of other cleansers too harsh. If I’m wearing eye make-up, I’ll use the Boots sensitive skin eye make-up remover. I’m currently using the Byoma creamy jelly cleanser but I might switch to the moisture cleanser when I’m out. Following that, I’ll use the same toner and replenishing mist. Next, I use the Boots hyaluronic acid serum before the same moisturiser from earlier. I switch up my eye cream in the evening to the Superdrug vitamin E one before using an azeliac acid cream to certain areas of my face. I finish it off with Superdrug’s vitamin E intense moisture cream and I’m ready for a cosy night in bed.
My extra skincare items
I try not to use too many extra products but for the best skincare routine in your 30s, you might want some items to target specific skin concerns. I’ve recently started using this retinol once a week on a Sunday evening. I sandwich it in between my moisturisers so it’s not too harsh on my skin. I’m obsessed with the Boots Ingredients hyaluronic acid mask, which I use a couple of times a week. It gives me such glowy skin when I wake up the following morning! I also use these cheap gold eye masks from Savers and find one pair lasts a couple of days.
As you can see, I use a lot of Boots and Superdrug’s own products. I find that they work well for me! Sure, I’ve used more expensive brands but I feel like they’ve been no different! Skincare doesn’t have to be super expensive if you keep it simple and buy own-brand products.
If you enjoyed this post on how to set up your best skincare routine in your 30s, you can find the rest of my beauty content here. There isn’t much but I want to add more posts over the year! Don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok too.
