Well, it finally happened—I turned 30 years old last month. Even though those around me have insisted that this decade is about a billion times better than the last one, there was still this monumental fear I grasped onto, and a big part of it had to do with the notion that I was starting to lose my youth. Blame it on the world's obsession with beauty or even my career working in it, but there was a societal echo I couldn't ignore.
Ironically, when people enter their 30s, they're often tackling the same skin issues they dealt with in the past, including hormonal acne and oiliness. They might even be presented with new ones, like dullness, wrinkles, and a loss of elasticity. In my case, I don't have to worry about breakouts, but I do worry that I haven't been doing enough in terms of prevention.
Even though I'm quite happy about where I'm at in life and know aging is unavoidable, I still want to kick my skincare routine up a notch to prevent early signs of aging. That's why I created a new arsenal of skin, hair, and body products for top-tier care. Keep scrolling to see the skincare products I'm incorporating into my routine.
The Best Skincare and Hair Products for Your 30s
Even though I don't struggle with breakouts as much anymore (oil production slows down with age), I still get them now and then. This exfoliating face mask, which has AHAs, BHA, and fruit enzymes, gets rid of minor bumps and gives my skin a brightening boost.
Long gone are the nights I slept in my makeup and the nights that I went without double-cleansing. This oil-based cleanser contains omegas 3, 6, and 9 and works to rid your complexion of pollution, makeup, grime… You name it. I'll follow it up with a gel cleanser to ensure my skin is soft, smooth, and clean.
Thirty (or even earlier) is a great time to start a retinol regimen. I recommend this serum to anyone who's not ready for a retinoid prescription, like tretinoin. The brand promises it works 11 times faster than traditional retinol but with less irritation. Cool, right? It helps me tackle everything from lines and wrinkles to discrepancies in skin texture and tone.
As it's an absolute necessity for me, I'll be investing in this face mask from Dr. Dennis Gross to ensure that my skin stays fresh and glowing for decades to come. It's made with 100 LED lights in red mode and 62 LED lights in blue mode, so expect wrinkles to diminish, skin to look firmer, and mild-to-moderate acne to vanish.
SPF has been a skincare must since, well, birth. But if you haven't been an avid user, there's no better time to start than the present moment. One of my favorites comes from Salt & Stone, a roll-on sunscreen with SPF 30 that protects from both UVB and UVA rays and does not leave a sticky residue or white cast. Bonus points for the shea butter, vitamin E, and cocoa-seed butter that work to nourish and deeply moisturize the skin.
U Beauty's signature technology directs its active ingredients toward areas of the skin that are damaged, utilizing bioactive marine ingredients to boost the creation of new, healthy skin cells. Plus, hyaluronic acid and collagen strengthen the moisture barrier for the ultimate protection against aging skin. Use this treatment two to three times per week to see maximum results.
This face cream is really as good as they say, and I've found that it's transformed my skin for the better. Using the brand's Trigger Factor Complex—a mixture of natural amino acids, synthesized molecules, and high-grade vitamins—this moisturizer encourages your skin to regenerate its stem cells. As someone with oily skin, I appreciate how easily this absorbs. It's not heavy like other face creams.
Ever since hitting the big 30, I've started to focus more on my neck, so I've added this neck serum from Nécessaire to my roster. It contains a clinical concentration of five peptides that firm the skin and work like magic on lines and wrinkles. Other ingredients include niacinamide and rose water, which hydrate and help strengthen the skin barrier.
This body butter contains a variety of plant butters that are rich in essential fatty acids, antioxidants, phytosterols, and carotene. Translation? It moisturizes, softens, and smoothes dry skin.
Over time, the lips tend to lose volume just like our skin. This lip plumper uses a signature technology to deliver hyaluronic acid deep into the lips, giving them more volume and definition both short- and long-term. Read one editor's in-depth review.
Lines, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity are no match for this eye gel. It hydrates, firms, and nourishes the delicate skin around the eyes with peptides, antioxidants, and algae extract.
Another splurge that's worth it to me is Biologique Recherche's Masque Vivant. It's a game changer when it comes to detoxing the skin. Formulated with yeast, cucumber, and witch hazel extracts, it's great for purifying the skin without overdrying it. It's pretty much the perfect post-night-out skincare step for those 30 and over.
I'm also focusing more on haircare and bodycare, so this combination scrub is at the top of my wish list. It works wonders at sloughing off dead skin, resulting in a smoother, softer, and refreshed body and scalp.
In my 30s, I want to level up my hair routine. As someone who gets their hair colored and uses heat tools, I've started using this hair mask to reverse damage. It only takes four minutes for the patented peptides to go to work, strengthening, softening, and smoothing each strand.
I've been a fan of this cleanser for years, and I'm proud to say that I'm bringing it into my 30s with me. The pH-balancing formula contains kale, spinach, and green tea—all powerful phytonutrients and antioxidants that protect the skin—and the foaming lather removes dirt, makeup, and excess oil.
Even though I don't struggle with breakouts as often as I used to, I still like having a pore-clearing product on hand. This one uses 2% BHA (salicylic acid) to remove impurities, banish blackheads, and smooth uneven texture.
Vitamin C is not a step you should skip when it comes to your skincare routine—it's a powerful antioxidant that can brighten the skin, fade hyperpigmentation, and dial up your glow. This is one of my favorites. It uses 20% stabilized L-ascorbic acid, so it's potent without being irritating to my skin.
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