Skin Care for 30s Skin

Your 30s likely approached more swiftly than you expected, but there's no need to panic. While you may be noticing more signs of aging, there's still plenty of time to begin a proper skincare routine.

By now, you're probably already familiar with skincare basics and know how to identify your skin type. A daily skin cleanser, toner and moisturizer that are appropriate for you should be a part of your routine already. If these are not, start incorporating them today.
Below we will discuss some of the other recommended steps for skin care in your 30s. But first, let's talk about why aging occurs in order to help you better understand why these tips for good skin care are important.

Your cells are constantly being duplicated and replaced. You may have heard that the body completely regenerates every seven years, but this is in fact not true. Some cells, like neurons, are never regenerated, which is why brain injuries are so devastating. However, many cells, including skin cells, are replaced every few weeks.
As cells are duplicated, information that's passed along naturally degenerates, much like in a game of Telephone. The result is an unavoidable reduction of molecular integrity over time that results in the signs and symptoms we commonly refer to as "aging." Such degeneration is additionally accelerated by external aging factors such as:

• lack of proper skin care
• poor diet
• sun exposure
• lack of sleep
• nicotine consumption
• drugs and alcohol

The most common signs of aging skin you'll see in your 30s will be:

• wrinkles
• spots or uneven skin tone
• sagging
• thinning

Aging is a natural part of life, and no amount of moisturizer will stop the process in its tracks. But developing a good skin care routine for your 30s will give you the best chance for a smooth transition into your 40s, 50s and beyond.

Here are some of our favorite dos and don’ts of 30s skin care:

DO

Exfoliate
Cell turnover naturally decreases as we age. An exfoliant will get rid of dead skin cells more quickly, allowing fresh new skin to make its appearance sooner.
Exfoliants are available as dry crystals you can add to your favorite skin cleanser for basic exfoliation, or might be combined with other ingredients designed to enhance the exfoliating effects.

Serums contain valuable ingredients designed to penetrate your skin deeply in order to repair and restore. They are not moisturizers, but depending on which serum you choose and what your moisturizing needs are, they may replace some of your moisturizing routine.
If the serum you choose contains no moisturizing, lubricating or thickening ingredients (many are water - based) it was intended to be used in combination with your regular moisturizer.

Limit sun exposure
It's natural to associate a tan with youth and health, but in reality, tans are no more than the result of your skin reacting to damage. According to the World Health Organization, since melanin production is caused by incorrect thymine bonding in your cells' DNA, there's simply no such thing as a "healthy tan."

Eat better
If BBQ and pizza are among your mealtime favorites, consider the impact that animal fats, preservatives, nitrates and artificial ingredients have on your body. Besides diabetes, heart disease and obesity, these ingredients can cause cell damage.Curb the effects of carcinogens, excess nitrates and preservatives by including plenty of vegetables containing carotenoids in your diet, such as carrots; foods high in vitamin C like oranges, bell peppers and dark leafy greens; and fresh foods high in lycopene, the healthy ingredient contained in many red foods like tomatoes, watermelon and guava.

Over-wash
Wash your face twice a day with a gentle skin cleanser designed for your skin type, but don't overdo it. Your skin produces a valuable moisturizer called sebum, and over-washing, especially without a pH-restorative toner, will cause an imbalance that can lead to irritation and excess oil production.

Use an astringent
You've probably used an astringent in the past and may still be attached to the idea that an astringent should be part of your everyday skincare routine. Popular drugstore brands like Neutrogena, Clean & Clear and Sea Breeze have spent many marketing dollars to promote astringents as solutions for clogged pores and blemished skin, but because they contain alcohol, astringents strip valuable oils from your skin, which results, much like over-washing, in irritation and excessive oil production.

Smoke
Besides the high risks of heart disease, cancer and stroke associated with smoking, this nasty little habit also carries risks for your skin. Discoloration, smoker's lines, particularly around the lips, and loss in skin elasticity from damaged collagen contribute to premature and irreversible skin aging.

Be afraid of healthy fats
The low-fat craze is over, and the stats are in: Eliminating healthy fats from our diets has led to an overall decline in the health of the worldwide population.
Fatty acids are vital for survival; they control inflammation, promote a healthy heart and affect cell function. Choose healthy fats over unhealthy ones for a radiant complexion everyone will notice.