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Remember the days when you could get away with washing your face with any ol’ cleanser or maybe even just a splash of water and that was IT for your skincare routine? Yeah, neither do I! Can we even call that a skin care routine? Anyway, the age of 30 (and quickly approaching age of 40) somehow sneaks up on us and then suddenly our skin has more opinions than we do! One day you’re glowing, and the next, you’re searching “best anti aging skin care routine for 30s” on the interwebs while simultaneously squinting at fine lines that definitely weren’t there last week.
Funny how that happens, right? I always say that aging is certainly better than the alternative and I am grateful for every day but I really could do without the fine lines or uneven skin tone that seems to randomly appear now that I am in my “adulting” era. You, too?
As we hit our 30s it is normal to notice subtle changes in our skin. You might be noticing some common signs of aging such as fine lines, loss of elasticity, dullness or uneven skin tone.
Here’s the thing. There’s no reason to panic as this is just part of life and it’s going to happen whether we like it or not. The good news is that it’s never too late (or too early) to start a solid anti aging skin care routine! A great skin care routine can help you feel confident as you age gracefully. Just like a fine wine … one that you can’t even drink anymore because the hangover in your 30s is next level!
So, what can you do besides stick to mocktails at the next girls night? Let’s break down the essentials, step by step, so your skin can stay as radiant as ever.
The Ultimate Anti Aging Skincare Routine for Your 30s
One of the most important things to mention is that the ingredients going on your skin and into your body matter BIG time especially when thinking about an anti aging skin care routine. Conventional skincare products can contain harmful chemicals that will not only irritate your potentially already irritated skin but can also be problematic for your health and hormones.
Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and it absorbs much of what you put on it. So, when you’re slathering on your skincare (and let’s face it, we’re all layering up these days), you want to make sure you’re feeding it the good stuff.
Clean skincare and beauty means using products free of harmful chemicals, like parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances, which can really mess with your skin and your health over time.
By opting for clean beauty and safer skincare, you’re protecting your skin, reducing exposure to toxins, and keeping everything in balance, inside and out. It’s like choosing organic food for your face because ultimately, what you put on your skin shouldn’t be any less important than what you eat.
6 Tips for Skincare In Your 30s (and beyond!)
1. Gentle Cleansing for Long-Term Skin Health
The first and arguably most important step in any anti aging skin care routine for your 30s is mastering the art of gentle cleansing. Cleansing isn’t just about removing makeup and dirt, it’s the foundation for everything else in your routine and when you use harsh cleansers or over-cleanse, you strip your skin of its natural oils, disrupting its moisture barrier.
You want to make sure you are keeping your skin’s moisture barrier in tact. Harsh cleansing can lead to dryness and irritation and also accelerates the aging process by making your skin more vulnerable to environmental damage (think pollution, free radicals, and UV rays). Keeping that barrier intact is essential for maintaining elasticity, hydration, and smoothness—all things you want more of as you age.
A gentle cleanser, free of sulfates and other irritating ingredients, helps your skin stay balanced, healthy, and more resilient over time. Plus, it also helps to prep your skin to absorb all those nourishing serums and creams you’re about to apply.
My Favorite Clean Facial Cleanser:
Counter Silky Skin Cleanser
This brand new formulation from Counter beauty is amazing! It is gentle, yet effective and leaves your skin feeling so silky smooth. I have found it to be really nourishing for my skin that often tends to lean towards the dry side.
The Counter Silky Skin Cleanser is creamy to start with a slight exfoliating benefit as well that comes from milled oat flour for a gentle buffing effect. This is not overpowering at all. I was pleasantly surprised with how good this cleanser feels and it quickly became my go-to.
Hyaluronic acid is a key ingredient in this cleanser which is great for extra hydration and anti-aging benefits!
This cleanser along with the Counter Hyaluronic Moisture Mist (obsessed!) have been game changers for my over 30 skin!
I can’t believe how soft, smooth and just how GOOD my skin feels ever since I started using these two together.
2. Exfoliation: Out with the Old, In with the Glow
Now that you’re past the days of nightly face wipes (please tell me you are), it’s time to exfoliate like the empowered boss that you are! In your 30s, your skin doesn’t renew itself as fast as it used to (thanks, biology), so you need to give it a gentle nudge.
Who knew that one day we would be missing the ease of a nightly face wipe? Don’t get me wrong, I still love a good face wipe for taking makeup off at night however the difference is I use it BEFORE I start my actual skincare routine rather than AS my skincare.
The key to exfoliating is to exfoliate smart, not hard. Exfoliation is one of those things that is great until it isn’t. You CAN over exfoliate so try to use exfoliants 1-2 times a week MAX to keep your complexion bright without turning your skin into the texture of fine sandpaper. You can also look for AHAs like lactic acid or fruit enzymes that promote cell turnover without leaving you red and regretful.
MY FAVORITE CLEAN EXFOLIATORS:
Counter Overnight Resurfacing Peel
This is great because it works overnight while you sleep! Wake up to smoother, brighter, softer skin. You can use this every other day or once a week and you’ll love it.
Crunchi’s I AM Polished Facial Exfoliator
Multi-tasks as an exfoliating scrub or a 5-minute treatment mask!
I am always on the hunt for a good, clean facial exfoliator and I have found both of these to be great options to add into your anti aging skin care routine!
3. Antioxidant Serums – Vitamin C to the Rescue
You’ve probably heard about Vitamin C since you were told to drink orange juice as a kid to avoid getting sick, but did you know it’s also the star ingredient in your anti aging skin care routine? Vitamin C is like that friend who always has your back, protective and necessary for long-term benefits. Vitamin C is probably my favorite addition to my anti aging skin care routine because I have seen really great improvements in brightness and a more even skin tone.
Using an antioxidant serum daily shields your skin from environmental damage (think pollution, sun, and the fact you might be in front of a computer most of your day). It also brightens your complexion, evens skin tone, and helps fade those pesky sun spots from the beach days when sunscreen wasn’t even a thing but baby oil was! The good ol’ days, right?! Yikes.
My Favorite Clean Vitamin C Serum:
Counter All Bright Vitamin C Serum
This is my absolute favorite Vitamin C serum of all time and I have tried quite a few! This is truly happiness in a bottle. The color is such a bright, golden yellow and it contains two ultra-stable forms of vitamin C that deliver some serious glow while protecting your skin from all the day to day stressors.
4. Bakuchiol: Nighttime Repair Mode ON
Bakuchiol is a plant-based alternative to retinol that delivers similar results without the irritation. Bakuchiol is generally considered safer than retinol because retinol can cause side effects such as redness, burning, irritation, dryness, and flaking skin. Retinol is also not recommended for people with sensitive skin, some skin disorders, pregnant women, or breastfeeding mothers. If you wouldn’t use it while breastfeeding your baby, then why use it at all? This is where Bakuchiol steps in as the gentle yet effective alternative.
Bakuchiol, derived from the Babchi plant, is a plant-based powerhouse that delivers many of the same benefits as retinol. It has been shown to stimulate collagen production, reduce fine lines, help restore firmness, and improve skin texture.
It’s great for those with sensitive skin, or anyone who wants the anti-aging benefits of retinol without the risk of redness and flakiness. Bakuchiol is also safe to use during the day, unlike retinol, which can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
5. Hydration is Key: Keep It Plump!
There’s a reason we all need Stanley cups the size of Texas these days. In your 30s, your skin starts to lose moisture faster than you can lose track of time binge watching Grey’s Anatomy. The solution? Besides chugging that H2O non-stop, Hyaluronic acid can be a fabulous addition to your anti aging skin care routine now that you are 30 and flirty?
Hydration is the foundation of any effective anti aging skin care routine, and when it comes to locking in moisture, hyaluronic acid is the MVP.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring substance in your skin and throughout your body that gives your skin structure. It has a unique ability of retaining water (in a good way) so it helps to increase the moisture in your skin.
As we age, our skin’s natural production of hyaluronic acid decreases, which is why we start to see more fine lines, dryness, and a loss of firmness. By adding HA into your skincare routine, you’re essentially replenishing your skin’s moisture reserves, making it look fuller, more youthful, and better equipped to fend off wrinkles.
Bonus: because HA is so lightweight, it works for all skin types whether you’re oily, dry, or somewhere in between you can layer on a hydrating serum or moisturizer to keep that glow going strong.
Plump skin = youthful skin. Yes, please!
6. SPF Every. Single. Day.
If you take nothing else away from this anti aging skin care routine for your 30s, let it be this: SPF is your ultimate defense against aging. The sun is the number one cause of premature aging, and unless you plan on living in a cave (no judgment), you need daily sun protection.
This is one tip I often overlook myself but it is so important because ultraviolet (UV) light can cause DNA changes at a cellular level when it hits your unprotected skin.
SPF is non-negotiable. Look for mineral sunscreens that block both UVA and UVB rays without the toxic chemicals that nobody wants anywhere near their skin.
My Favorite Clean Sunscreen
Counter Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer
This is a great 2 for 1 moisturizer with SPF 30 already in it! This moisturizer protects you from more than just the sun. Natural marine biopolymers protect you from pollution. Patented antioxidants protect against free radicals.
If you want personalized clean skincare recommendations, fill out this form and I will send them straight to your inbox!
The fun doesn’t end just because you’re in your 30s now! The best is yet to come and an anti-aging skin care routine in your 30s can actually be fun and empowering, too. The fact you are here reading this tells me that you are now more mindful of the ingredients you are using and more intentional in your routine which is a huge step in the right direction.
What it really comes down to is that consistency is key and so are clean products! By now, your anti-aging skincare routine for your 30s is shaping up nicely. You don’t need to be perfect, you’re human and some days are just going to call for a face wipe or nothing at all! Just remember, it’s not about fighting aging (we are all aging) but more about embracing it with grace and some really good skincare. Stay consistent, stick to clean beauty products that respect your skin, and you’ll feel confident in every stage of life.
