Your skin’s natural aging process starts to accelerate in your 30s, revealing the effects of sun damage, pollution, and lifestyle habits.
This is when collagen starts to degrade, which can lead to the first signs of wrinkles, fine lines, dullness, and thinner skin.
Moisturizer
A moisturizer is a vital part of an anti-aging regimen, so it’s important to find one that works with your skin type. The best moisturizing creams for mature skin offer a balance of humectants, emollients, and occlusives to provide hydration.
Dermatologists agree that keeping the skin hydrated is key to maintaining healthy skin. They also point out that dryness can lead to the development of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin.
To combat these effects, we recommend investing in a good moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a molecule that attracts water to your skin, which keeps it plump and smooth.
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni is our favorite all-around moisturizer for 30 year old women because it contains line-reducing retinol, collagen-supporting peptides, and barrier-replenishing ceramides. It’s also available in a drugstore-friendly formula that doesn’t contain fragrance, which can irritate sensitive skin (via The Strategist).
Olay Regenerist is another cult-favorite moisturizer for people with sensitive or combination skin. Its formula is formulated with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to nourish your skin and keep it hydrated.
If you’re looking for a more affordable pick, RoC Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream is an excellent choice. It’s a favorite of dermatologists for its retinol-powered anti-aging formula.
Finally, if you’re concerned about hyperpigmentation or dark marks, try Niacinamide, which helps prevent the transfer of melanin pigments to your skin cells and helps promote skin cell turnover. The best niacinamide is one that is free from parabens and fragrance.
Lastly, if you want to protect your skin from the sun, Aveeno Absolutely Ageless Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 is a great option. It contains antioxidants to help reduce the appearance of sun damage and keep your skin firm.
Retinoids
If you’re looking to improve skin tone, diminish fine lines and wrinkles, and eliminate acne breakouts, retinoids are a great way to go. This vitamin A-derived skin treatment works by encouraging cell turnover, which can help reduce the appearance of age spots and hyperpigmentation, as well as smooth out roughness.
However, it’s important to note that retinoids can be drying to the skin, so they should be used with care and in moderation. Start off with a low percentage over-the-counter formula (like 0.01% or 0.03%) and use it twice a week, slowly ramping up to daily usage as your skin acclimates, says Bowe.
To ensure your skin doesn’t get too dry, try a hydrating serum or moisturizer that includes ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which can lock in moisture. Also, avoid products with a lot of oil in the ingredients list or that contain alcohol as these can make your skin feel tight and dry, advises Dr. Shari Lipner, an associate professor of clinical dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City.
A few other things to keep in mind if you’re considering using a retinoid: Retinoids increase the sensitivity of your skin, so it’s best to avoid waxes or laser hair removal procedures while using them. In addition, be aware that retinoids can react negatively with certain medications, so speak with your healthcare provider before you take any.
As with any skincare product, you can get a lot of benefits from using retinoids over time. But you can also run the risk of irritated skin, redness, or flaking when you start off. It can take up to 12 weeks for your skin to become accustomed to using a retinoid, so it’s important to be patient and give it enough time to work.
Eye Cream
Eye creams are a great way to keep the delicate skin around your eyes hydrated and healthy. They also reduce the look of puffiness, fine lines, and dark circles.
When it comes to eye creams, there are several key ingredients that you should look for. Some of these include retinol, hyaluronic acid, and peptides.
Retinol is a popular ingredient when it comes to wrinkle prevention and anti-aging because it helps boost cell turnover. It also thickens and bolsters the skin around your eyes, making it more plump and firm.
However, retinol can be drying to the skin. So it’s best to use this product in moderation. Luckily, Kate Somerville +Retinol Firming Eye Cream offers both retinol and bakuchiol, a safe plant-based alternative to retinol that does not cause irritation.
This formula is also packed with hyaluronic acid and other antioxidants that nourish and protect your skin. It’s an easy-to-use formula that will reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet.
Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that is found in the body and is responsible for helping your skin hold in moisture. It also has anti-wrinkle properties, so it’s a great choice for anyone in their 30s who is looking to fight the signs of aging.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help you tackle dark circles, hyperpigmentation, and other blemishes. It can even brighten your under-eye area and minimize the look of pores.
This product is made with organic, vegan, and all-natural ingredients that have been clinically proven to lessen the appearance of puffiness and fine lines. It can be used morning or night and is suitable for all skin types.
Exfoliator
Exfoliating is one of the most important steps in a skincare routine, and it can make a big difference in your complexion. It helps your other products work better and promotes cell turnover to keep you looking smooth, bright, and youthful.
When shopping for an exfoliator, there are two methods to consider: mechanical (abrasive) and chemical (acids). Physical exfoliation, also known as mechanical exfoliation, uses abrasive ingredients or tools like brushes, sponges, loofahs, and abrasive scrubs that cause enough friction to remove dead skin cells, oils, and debris from the skin’s surface.
Chemical exfoliation, on the other hand, uses acids (alpha and beta hydroxy acid), enzymes, and retinoids to remove dead skin cells without any mechanical intervention. Its benefits are numerous and include stimulating collagen production, reducing acne breakouts, improving discoloration, enhancing hydration, and providing antioxidant protection.
There are a number of different chemical exfoliators out there, but we recommend looking for ones that contain alpha and beta hydroxy acids. These are gentler than other acids and will slough off dead skin without leaving the skin dry or irritated, according to dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, M.D.
If you’re in the market for a powerful yet gentle exfoliator, check out Peter Thomas Roth Firmx Peeling Gel Exfoliant. It contains powerful enzymes like pineapple, pomegranate and keratinase that sweep away impurities and dead skin cells to reveal a radiant, firm complexion.
The crystal-packed formula uses 120 aluminum oxide microdermabrasion crystals to help clear clogged pores, blackheads, and dullness while boosting natural radiance. It’s a must-have for mature skin that needs all the help it can get. It’s also infused with hibiscus flower extract, jojoba oil, and bamboo stem extract to moisturize and replenish the skin.
Neck Cream
The skin on your neck and chest is thinner than the face, which means it’s more prone to wrinkles and sagging. That’s why it’s especially important to treat this area with the same skincare care as you give your face.
If you’re concerned about the appearance of loose or sagging skin around your neck, it may be time to invest in a firming neck cream. These products have ingredients that help lift and tighten the skin in the region to minimize wrinkles and sagging, according to board-certified dermatologist Lily Talakoub.
In addition to firming and lifting, these products can also hydrate the skin, reduce discoloration, and even out tone. This is why they’re considered a must-have in any woman’s beauty cabinet.
A favorite of three of the experts we consulted, this formula is infused with eight peptides to diminish fine lines and wrinkles while boosting the skin’s firmness and elasticity. “It’s a great option for anyone looking to combat moderate to advanced signs of aging in the neck and decolletage,” Robinson said.
This nourishing neck cream from Elina Organics Skincare is made with a powerful blend of natural and organic ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, mandelic acid, and silk peptides to smooth, firm, and fade discoloration. It also features reishi mushroom extract, which is known to be anti-inflammatory and can help improve the look of skin tone.
A must-have for every woman, this neck cream is formulated with a blend of antioxidants and vitamin C to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots. It also contains hadasei-3, which is a complex blend of rice, green tea, and algae that brightens the skin and fights the effects of aging.