Turning thirty signifies a pivotal point for the skin, which begins to display the initial signs of ageing and loses its elasticity and evenness. To slow down this process and maintain supple skin for as long as possible, it is crucial to adopt a suitable skincare routine. In this article, you will find all our advice for taking care of your skin at 30.
How to take care of your skin between the ages of 30 and 40?
Summary
Published on December 16, 2024, by Marie, Scientific Editor — 6 min of reading
Themes:
Remove makeup and cleanse your skin every evening.
It can sometimes be tempting to skip the evening routine. Fatigue, a busy schedule... the reasons are numerous! However, this is a misguided idea, especially when one has reached their thirties. At this age, the production of hyaluronic acid by fibroblasts gradually begins to decrease, which promotes skin dehydration. Yet, neglecting to remove makeup and cleanse also tends to dry out the skin. Indeed, makeup and impurities accumulated throughout the day disrupt the skin's nocturnal regeneration and natural hydration process, while also preventing facial care products from penetrating and acting. The result: the skin becomes dry.
To avoid this inconvenience, it is recommended to remove makeup and cleanse your face every evening with products suitable for your skin type. Moreover, even if you do not wear makeup, it is beneficial to carry out a double cleanse. This technique, originating from Asia, allows for a deep purification of the skin without damaging or weakening its hydrolipidic film. As the name suggests, double cleansing is done in two steps. An oily phase capable of dissolving fatty substances (sebum, sunscreens...) is first used. A standard aqueous cleanser is then applied to deal with sweat and dust.
Incorporating key actives into one's routine.
At the age of 30, it is not uncommon to see certain skin issues persist or appear. Imperfections, early wrinkles, hyperpigmentation marks... The use of specific active ingredients through serums allows them to be targeted. If your skin is dry, opt for squalane, hyaluronic acid or polyglutamic acid. In case of imperfections, bakuchiol or succinic acid may be more suitable for you. If you wish to reduce the signs of ageing and prevent future wrinkles, retinol or bakuchiol are relevant active ingredients. As for pigmentation spots, these can be diminished with glycolic acid or tranexamic acid.
Furthermore, between the ages of 30 and 40, it is advisable to start using antioxidants, molecules that protect the skin from oxidative stress and its negative effects. Generated as a result of exposure to UV rays, pollution or tobacco, free radicals attack DNA and cellular components, accelerating the skin ageing process and exacerbating the skin issues mentioned above. By neutralising free radicals, antioxidants can prevent these problems.
Do not neglect hydration.
During our thirties, the skin undergoes several structural changes, making it more vulnerable. It has been particularly demonstrated that the thickness of the epidermis and dermis decreases progressively and linearly between the ages of 20 and 40, by approximately 6.4% per decade. The thinning of the skin structure over time leads to a gradual increase in water loss. This phenomenon has an impact on overall skin health and weakens the skin. Dehydration also promotes the appearance of dehydration fine lines.
To enhance skin hydration and strengthen the hydrolipidic film, it is crucial to apply a moisturising cream suitable for your skin type, both morning and evening. This also applies to individuals with oily skin: contrary to popular belief, this skin type also needs hydration for protection. If your skin tends to be oily, opt for a fluid and mattifying moisturising cream, which helps to control sebum levels.
Consistently protect oneself from the sun.
The sun is one of the major causes of skin ageing. Its radiations, composed of UVA, UVB and infrared, cause multiple damages, both at the cellular and tissue level, leading to genetic mutations and the disorganisation of certain protein fibres. These damages, due to the action of free radicals, result in premature skin sagging, brown spots and skin dryness.
Several studies have focused on ways to combat the effects of photoaging. One of them, conducted in 2016 over a year with 32 subjects, showed that the daily application of a sunscreen with a protection factor of 30 could significantly improve signs of skin ageing and prevent their progression. At the end of the study, scientists demonstrated that this new habit allowed participants to reduce their pigmentation spots by an average of 50%, their crow's feet wrinkles by 25%, and improve the uniformity of their complexion by 34%.
Exfoliate your skin once to twice a week.
An often overlooked step, exfoliation is crucial for proper skin care. Indeed, once we reach the age of 30, cellular renewal slows down, which not only affects the texture of the skin but also its natural ageing process. In fact, the accumulation of dead cells on the surface of the stratum corneum has consequences on the skin's radiance and increases the visibility of wrinkles. That's why it's recommended to set a weekly appointment to remove dead cells and rejuvenate the skin.
Advice : If you have sensitive skin, favour chemical exfoliants over mechanical scrubs, which are more abrasive.
Sources
ROBERT A. & al. Changes in Skin Thickness in Normal Ageing Skin. Gerontology (1990).
TSCHACHLER E. Relative Contribution of Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Factors to Skin Ageing Determined by a Validated Skin Age Score. Archives of Dermatology. (2002).
MAIBACH I. & al. Age and skin structure and function, a quantitative approach (I): blood flow, pH, thickness, and ultrasound echogenicity. Skin Research & Technology (2005).
SOUTHALL M. & al. Daily Use of a Facial Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Over One-Year Significantly Improves Clinical Evaluation of Photoaging.Dermatologic Surgery(2016).
