How to take care of your skin between the ages of 30 and 40?

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.

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.

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%.

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.