10 Skincare Mistakes to Avoid in Your 30s & 10 Habits For Maintaining Your Youthful Skin
10 Skincare Mistakes to Avoid in Your 30s & 10 Habits For Maintaining Your Youthful Skin
Are You Setting Your Skin Up Properly?
With hundreds of products claiming to work magic being bombarded at you from all directions, skincare in your 30s is overwhelming. It's natural at this age for your skin to start showing signs of aging, and you want to know you're doing all you can to protect it. However, so many of us end up spending money and energy doing the wrong things. To save you from this pitfall, here are 10 skincare mistakes to stop doing in your 30s and 10 habits for maintaining your radiant, youthful skin.
1. Not Removing Makeup Properly
Not only must you remove your makeup every day before going to sleep, but you must be thorough about it to avoid clogging your pores. Makeup remover alone isn't enough; follow with a gentle cleanser and nighttime moisturizer.
2. Skipping SPF
Sun damage is the leading cause of premature skin aging. Make sure you're using broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, even in winter or when it's cloudy.
3. Ignoring Your Neck
The skin on your neck is just as delicate as that of your face, and it deserves the same care, including exfoliation, sunscreen, and moisturizer. Trust us when we say your future self, who doesn't have a turkey neck, will thank you.
4. Neglecting Morning Skincare
Skincare shouldn't just be part of your bedtime routine, but your morning routine too. However, your morning and night routines should look different; for example, you shouldn't use retinol in the morning as it makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight, you should apply SPF in the daytime but not at night, and you should double-cleanse at night.
5. Using Products That Are Too Harsh
Different products are made for different stages of life. In your 30s, you shouldn't be using anti-aging products designed for someone in their 50s, as they'll be too harsh. Similarly, using too many products with too many active ingredients will do more harm than good.
6. Inconsistency
Consistency is key to any effective skincare routine. Only doing it when you remember or constantly changing products will only confuse your skin.
7. Exfoliating Too Often
Exfoliating is a necessary part of any skincare routine because it helps increase cell turnover. However, daily exfoliation damages your skin’s protective barrier and causes irritation, so make sure to only do it once or twice a week.
8. Not Using Anti-Aging Products
Your 30s are a good time to start using anti-aging products, even if your skin still looks youthful. Your collagen naturally starts reducing in your mid-20s, so being proactive helps mitigate later problems.
9. Popping Pimples
If you're still getting pimples in your 30s, you should know by now how bad it is to pop them. It causes scarring and inflammation and can even lead to bacteria spreading, causing further breakouts, so resist that temptation.
10. Applying Products In The Wrong Order
Proper skincare isn't just about the types of products you're using, but the order in which you apply them, too. Going in the wrong order can irritate your skin and make the products lose their effectiveness, which is money down the drain for you.
Now that we've talked about the most common skincare mistakes people in their 30s make, let's go over some of the most essential habits for preserving youthful, radiant skin.
1. Prioritizing Sleep
You've probably heard about how important sleep is for your body's recovery. Well, those benefits extend to the skin as well. Sleep allows for cell repair, regeneration, and boosts the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid.
2. Limiting Alcohol
Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it causes you to lose more water than usual. This is dehydrating and drying for your skin, leading to decreased elasticity and the formation of wrinkles.
3. Using Topical Retinoids
Retinoids are one of the most effective anti-aging ingredients that you can start using in your 30s. They stimulate the production of collagen and reduce the appearance of fine lines.
4. Drinking Plenty Of Water
Hydration starts from within. Water helps flush out toxins and keeps your skin looking plump. Drink at least eight glasses of water daily and incorporate hydrating foods.
5. Protect Your Skin From The Sun
No matter your skin type, apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day. If you're spending time outside, reapply every two hours and wear protective clothing like hats and sunglasses wherever possible.
6. Following A Healthy, Balanced Diet
Following a balanced diet isn't just about feeding your body right, but your skin, too. While an unhealthy diet can trigger inflammation and cause breakouts, a healthy one provides your skin with the nutrients it needs to maintain a strong barrier and regenerate cells quickly.
7. Exercising
Exercise increases blood flow and boosts circulation, which provides nourishment to the skin, helps flush out toxins, and promotes skin regeneration. It also reduces inflammation by lowering the stress hormone, cortisol.
8. Cleaning Before Bed
Because your skin collects toxins from the environment all day, it's crucial to cleanse it each night, especially if you wear makeup. When left on overnight, impurities like sweat and pollution clog pores and lead to breakouts.
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9. Moisturizing
Moisturizing helps your skin maintain its protective barrier and prevents dryness. It keeps the skin smooth, elastic, and prevents fine lines from forming.
10. Manage Stress
Stress causes inflammation and increased oil production, which can lead to acne. It also contributes to premature signs of aging because it quickens the speed at which elastin breaks down.
