In a blur of career climbs, bridesmaid gowns, and baby showers, you’ve somehow arrived here, a full-fledged thirty something. From new moms to career women (or both), many of us start to notice the first signs of aging in our 30s. They may appear as dullness, fine lines, eye wrinkles, or a lack of firmness.
Whether you’re pulling late nights at work or with a restless baby, you’re probably also lacking proper sleep. Skin in your 30s can’t recover as fast as it used to, which is totally unfair! In this stage of life, our skin reaches a point where it starts to change dramatically, so it’s crucial to build up your skincare arsenal now.
1. Bid Goodbye to Dead Skin
To keep the skin acting young, getting serious about exfoliating your skin is important. Facial scrubs are great for polishing away dry cells on the surface, but bear in mind not to over-exfoliate! Use a gentle exfoliator like Crème Simon Gentle Double Exfoliation Scrub to refine and revitalize skin. Specially formulated to be non-drying, it uses baby-safe cleansing ingredients to help polish and refine skin, while exfoliating dead skin cells and accumulated dirt particles to unclog pores.
$68, VIIMART.com (use code “CREMESIMON” to enjoy an additional 10% off and redeem a complimentary, Crème Simon exclusive vanity purse)
2. Keep an Eye on Your Eye Contour
In your 30s, you enter a pre-aging stage, where you might start to notice lines around your eyes. While “pre-aging” might be the most depressing beauty term we’ve ever heard, it isn’t all bad news — as long as you're using the right product. From the laboratories of Lancome comes a unique treatment that addresses both wrinkles and lost firmness: Renergie Yeux Eye Treatment. This firming and anti-wrinkle eye cream visibly smooths skin and correct the visible signs of aging: eye bags, loss of firmness and wrinkles, leaving the eye contour soft and supple.
$81 (was $103), VIIMART.com
3. Boost Skin to Fend Off Wrinkles
If you’ve ever wondered what the difference is between moisturizer and serum — or if there is one at all — here’s your answer: moisturizer is for skin type, but serum is for skin condition. That means it’s time to target whatever that is troubling your complexion with pumped-up ingredients. When targeting age, Hollywood star, Kim Kardashian (and us!) are great advocates for Caudalie Premier CRU The Elixir. This precious, half oil, half serum is the perfect marriage between luxury and efficacy as it prepares and complements the action of your subsequent routine for a clinically-proven anti-aging action. Skin is nourished, more radiant thereafter.
$109 (was $133), VIIMART.com
4. Step Up Your Protection
If you’ve been spotty with SPF until now, you may start to notice minimal signs of aging such as spots and fine lines. To remedy these issues, now is the time to get diligent about daily sun protection by adding an easy-to-use sunscreen, like SK-II Whitening Source Derm Definition UV Lotion, layered under your makeup daily. Enriched with skin brightening and moisturizing ingredients, this protector is powered with SPF 50 PA+++ to shelter your skin against UVA and UVB rays while preventing spots at the same time — all in a smooth, non-greasy finish.
$88 (was $113), VIIMART.com
5. Get Obsessed with Masks
Masks are faster, gentler and more effective than ever — and some even problem-solve while you sleep. Over the years, we’ve learnt that our skin can’t get enough of moisture and a good face mask is a great opportunity to drench your skin in moisture (and happiness). If sheet masks aren’t your thing, The History of Whoo Jinyulyang Essential Massage Mask is your best bet. Infusing red ginseng with a 5,000-year old oriental massage therapy, this overnight cream mask counteracts dryness and plumps wrinkles to improve and contour skin’s texture, leaving skin vivid and glowing upon use.
$82 (was $95), VIIMART.com
