CONGRATS, GIRL! You survived your very messy 20s, and now you’re thirty-plus, flirty-plus, and thriving! Your 20s were probably kind of a mess, but your 30s? Well, it’s still a mess, but it’s a different but better mess. It’s awesome!

Today, I’m sharing how to take care of your skin after 30 at home because while I’m sure you currently look amazing, there’s nothing wrong with a little 30’s glow-up either!

FACT: Did you know your skin cell turnover slows down in your 30s? What does that mean, you ask? It means your skin won’t repair itself as quickly as it did in your 20s.
Fun.

Skincare in your 30s may not be a whole lot different than it was in your 20s. However, it should be. There are definitely some different things that need to be considered when it comes to your skincare routine when you’re in your 30s.

Don’t worry, though. As a 30-something (I’ll nevaaaaaaaaaa reveal my true age) year old, it’s not all bad, and today, I’m sharing all my secrets *evil laugh* to looking young and glowing.

Let us begin!

How to look good in your 30s: 9 tips to look younger

Stay Hydrated.

Are you surprised this is number 1? You aren’t right? Because you know the most important beauty tip (besides self-love) is that you have to stay hydrated and DRANK (not drink), DRANK YOUR WATER!

Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it’s mostly made up of that good ol’ H20. Without water, your skin can’t function at its best and is prone to becoming dry, dull, and flaky. Ewwww.

One way I like to stay hydrated at home and on the go is a collapsible water bottle. These are great because you can fill them up and drink them you’re on the go.

When it’s empty, simply smoosh it down to a smaller size and throw it in your bag or purse. Plus, this water bottle is BPA Free (super important to me!) and can withstand extreme temperatures from -40ºF to 248ºF without compromising the integrity of the foldable water bottle.

Get this at: Amazon

There are so many benefits to drinking water, such as tighter skin, smaller pores, clearing adult acne, reducing puffiness, improved complexion, and maintaining a healthy PH balance. When it comes to how to take care of your skin after 30 at home, drinking plenty of water is always on the top of my list.

FULLY remove your makeup

Gone are the days of sleeping in your makeup. As you get older, it’s extremely important you fully remove all of your makeup so your skin can breathe.

If you’re simply wiping your face with a makeup wipe, it may not be enough. Throughout the day, airborne bacteria and pollution are attracted to your skin, and if you don’t wash that gunk away properly, it could contribute to pigmentation and breakouts. No, thank you on that. These days when I’m wearing a full face, I double cleanse!

What is double cleansing?  In essence, it entails washing your face twice – once with an oil-based cleanser and the second time with a water-based cleanser.

The first step helps to remove makeup, sweat, and other impurities from the surface of your skin. The second step helps to deep clean pores and remove any leftover residue from the first step.

Double cleansing takes a bit more time than your usual one-step routine, but it’s worth it in the end! Not only does double cleansing help to keep your skin looking fresh and healthy, but it also reduces the risk of breakouts and clogged pores, ensuring that your skin stays healthy and clear.

Here’s a video showing how I double cleanse:

If you love all things beauty, skincare, and self-care, be sure to follow me on Instagram!

Additionally, double cleansing can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines over time, making sure that you look your best as you enter your 30s. To get the most out of double cleansing, make sure to use products that are designed for your specific skin type – this will ensure maximum results.

Here are some of my favorite products to use for double cleansing:
Neutrogena Gentle Makeup Remover

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Why I recommend it: It’s the perfect choice for those who want to remove their makeup without irritating their skin. This product gently removes even waterproof makeup and won’t leave behind any greasy residue, making it ideal for people with sensitive or oily skin, PLUS it’s pretty inexpensive, so yay!

Sephora Smoothing cleanser
Shop this: Sephora

Why I recommend it: This is a gentle, oil-free cleanser that helps to nourish and hydrate the skin. It contains ingredients such as glycerin and squalane to help draw moisture into the skin while gently removing leftover makeup, dirt, and impurities.

Start using Anti-aging products.

Yes, the time is NOW… like RIGHT NOW to start using anti-aging products.

By the time we reach our thirties, most of us have already seen some signs of aging (wait, where did these gray hairs on my head come from?!).  While such changes are natural and inevitable, certain skincare products and routines can help to minimize their occurrence and appearance.

Anti-aging products are designed to help reduce the effects of aging on your skin, providing a range of benefits for those in their thirties.

Benefits of anti-aging products:

Hydration

One of the most important advantages that anti-aging products offer is hydration. As we age, our skin loses its natural moisture, leading to dryness and an uneven texture. Anti-aging creams and serums are formulated to help boost hydration levels, leaving skin looking softer, smoother, and more youthful.

Antioxidants. Free-radical fighting *woot* *woot*

Another advantage of anti-aging products is their ability to fight free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that can damage the structure of our cells and cause premature aging. Antioxidants found in anti-aging products can help to combat free radicals, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and age spots.

Stimulate Collagen

In addition, anti-aging products often help to stimulate collagen production. Collagen is an essential protein for skin structure and elasticity; its production naturally decreases with age, contributing to wrinkling, sagging, and an overall aged appearance. Many skincare companies now offer topical creams and serums with collagen as the key ingredient as well as supplements.

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Make eye cream a part of your life.

I was the tender age of 25 when I first received some eye cream in a gift bag. I was offended (and now, looking back, I guess over-dramatic too). The skin around your eyes ages faster than the rest of your face.

Eye creams can help protect the skin under your eyes which is very thin, and help reduce things like dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines. However, be sure to check the ingredients when it comes to eye creams and add them to an already awesome face routine (which you will have by following this post).

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Chill out with the Concealer

As we get older, dark circles may become more apparent, but that doesn’t mean you should smack on even more concealer. Seriously, don’t do it, girl.

Why not? Well, the more concealer you apply, the more it’s prone to wrinkling and settling into your fine lines, which is equally not as cute and even more aging. Instead, focus on a concealer that has a heavier coverage or is designed to be luminizing. I, personally, prefer liquid concealers for the thin skin around our eyes.

Two of my favorite concealers are NARs creamy radiant concealer and Born this way multi-use concealer because they’re luminizing and long-lasting. I apply by adding a few dots and lightly blending with a damp beauty blender sponge.

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If you’re unsure how to apply concealer, here is a video where I share step-by-step how to apply concealer:

A really great primer is your friend.

There are so many benefits when it comes to primer. For example, primer can compact oiliness, create a smooth base for your makeup, reduce shine, even out skin tone, disguise flaws, make pores appear smaller, fill in wrinkles and fine lines…. a lot.

Before applying your foundation and concealer, you first want to apply a primer (the same way you would apply primer before painting a wall). Primer preps your skin.

My favorite primer, hands down, without a doubt, we-are-not-about-to-argue is Dr. Brandt Pores No more.
Yes, it’s a little pricy, but a tiny bit goes a LONGGGGGGGGGGG way, and it actually works.

I prefer to buy a pricy primer that works and requires very little product over a cheap primer that doesn’t work well and requires a lot of product. Why? Because you still end up spending more and getting less in the long run with cheap, ineffective primers.

Shop this primer on: Sephora | Amazon

Why I love this primer: This primer helps reduce the appearance of pores and even out your complexion. It also contains salicylic acid, which helps treat breakouts and blemishes, as well as collagen-supporting peptides to help keep skin looking plump and youthful.

Body exfoliation gloves to scrub are a game changer!

I love a good ol’ body scrub, and honestly, I tend to make them myself with oil, essential oil, and some salt. Body scrubs should not be $95, especially if they’re full of chemicals that do more harm to your skin than good.

Exfoliating is important because it removes dead skin cells clogging the skin. When you exfoliate, you uncover fresh new cells below, which gives you softer, glowing skin. Additionally, by exfoliating, you open the way for moisturizing products to penetrate more deeply into the skin, which makes them more effective.

I recently discovered exfoliation gloves, and OMG, it’s a game-changer. At first thought, it seems ridiculous, but listen, I’M A BELIEVER! You can use them dry (like dry brushing). However, they work best on wet skin.

Exfoliating gloves are meant to be used with water and body wash, so I recommend wetting your entire body, as well as your exfoliating glove, then start scrubbing.

Your exfoliator glove is your exfoliator. Be sure to use circular motions and replace them often to prevent built-up bacteria (the gloves below are washable so that you can reuse them! (Yay, for the environment!).

Get this on: Amazon

When it comes to how to look good in your 30s, exfoliating and removing dead skin cells is super important!

When it comes to how to look good in your 30s, exfoliating and removing dead skin cells is super important! Exfoliating your face, neck, and body can help keep your skin looking youthful and vibrant. Make sure to use a gentle scrub or exfoliator that won’t damage your skin (which is why I like the exfoliating gloves because you can choose how gentle you want to be based on your skin!)

Lip scrubs are everything too.

I want ugly lips that are flaking, crusty, crack up, and bleed when I smile. Said absolutely no one ever.

Lip scrubs make lips soft, smooth, and kissable because they help remove dead skin from your lips and reveal a fresh layer of skin. Not only do they help make your lips look better, but lip scrubs can also help keep them healthy. By removing the dead skin from your lips, you prevent it from trapping bacteria and causing infections or cold sores. Lip scrubs can also help lock in hydration by opening up the pores of your lips, allowing for more effective hydration.

When using a lip scrub, use gentle circular motions to apply it to your lips. Start in the center of your lips and move outwards towards the corners. It is best to avoid rubbing back and forth across your lips as this can cause irritation. After gently scrubbing for about 30 seconds, rinse off with warm water and pat your lips dry with a clean towel. To finish, apply lip balm or moisturizer to help keep your lips hydrated.

Shop this: Sephora | Amazon

Please don’t exfoliate your face and body, and forget about your lips!

Another “dang, where have you been all of my life?” lip product is the Laniege lip sleeping mask! The LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask is an intensive overnight lip mask that deeply hydrates, repairs, and soothes dry lips. It is formulated to nourish and soften lips with a blend of hydrating, antioxidant-rich ingredients.

Shop this: Sephora | Amazon

Consider a light cleanse in the morning

#Storytime I used to wash my face every morning and night with heavy cleansers, and it actually wasn’t beneficial because I was over-cleansing (yup, it’s a thing).

If your skin is naturally oily but dehydrated, it will then try to produce even more oil to compensate, which means your oily skin only gets oiler when you’re constantly trying to remove the oil. Wonderful. So in the morning, I skip my face wash and use a toner instead.

I splash a little water on my face, dry, and then take a cotton ball with toner and wipe it all over my face to remove any dirt from my face while I snooze. I’ve noticed a huge difference in my skin since doing this and the amount of oil my face creates (I have oily skin).

Note: If you have highly acne-prone skin or skin that has excessive oils, then I do recommend a gentle cleanser in the morning.

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Body luminizers instantly give your glowing skin

Wait? I’m getting ahead of myself! Body luminzer is a type of makeup product that is designed to give your skin a subtle glow. It can be applied either directly onto the skin or with a foundation. Body luminzer is typically in the form of a pressed powder or liquid, and it can be found in various shades to match your skin tone.

One of my beauty secrets in the summer is I apply luminizer all over my body (paying extra attention to my legs and shoulders). You can make your own if you’re a DIY gal like me:

However, if you’re not a fan of DIY (or lazy like me sometimes), there have lots of great body luminzers on the market these days! The key is the shimmer. When the sun hits your skin, that shimmer starts glistening, and you’re glowing!

Shop this: Sephora

Say YES to serums

Serums are great because they’re able to pack in beneficial ingredients such as more antioxidants and skin-restoring ingredients without needing other ingredients such as SPF, emollients, or texture-enhancing ingredients that general moisturizers need (which is why serums also tend to be more expensive).

Look for serums with active ingredients in high concentrations. How can you figure this out? The higher the active ingredient is placed on the ingredient list, the higher the concentrations within the product.

Serums to help you look younger:

Retinol

Retinol is great at helping to fight acne, even out skin tone, reduce wrinkles, stimulate collagen, and promote cellular turnover. I tend to use retinol during seasonal changes when my skin needs a little extra. For active ingredients like retinol, too little of it and it’s a waste (real-life experience talking here) so make sure you’re choosing a serum with more than .000000001%. of active ingredients.

Hydraulic Acid:

Hydraulic acid is an exfoliant that helps to remove dead skin cells, promotes cell turnover and regeneration, reduces wrinkles and fine lines, hydrates the skin, and helps treat hyperpigmentation.

Vitamin- E:

Vitamin- E is an excellent antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from environmental damage and premature aging. It helps to reduce wrinkles, boost collagen production, even out skin tone, and reduce the appearance of scars.

Acids & Peptides:

Acids and peptides help to promote skin health by reducing wrinkles, improving texture, stimulating collagen production, and restoring hydration.

AHA & BHA:

Alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids work to gently exfoliate the skin, reduce wrinkles, improve texture and tone, reduce pore size, and help to even out skin tone.

WAIT! Please don’t think you need to add all of these things to your cart and use them all every night! I recommend purchasing a serum or two that is formulated for your skin (oily, dry, combination, sensitive) and addresses your specific skin needs!

For example, I want to brighten my skin, so I opt for a serum that includes Vitamins-E and Retinol. However, you may need something else, such as minimizing your pore size or reducing fine lines!

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Get your 6-8 hours of sleep, girl.

Without sleep, your brain can’t continue to work correctly. It’s important in your 30s to start doing all you can to set daily morning and night routines that allow you to meet your sleep needs.

As we age, our skin needs more time to repair itself each night, so try to aim for 7-8 hours of sleep every night to ensure your cells have enough time to regenerate, helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

While you may have gotten away with skimping on sleep in your 20s (… or at least I did!), it’s time to develop a consistent sleep schedule in your 30s. Sleep plays an important role in helping to repair your skin, as well as maintaining its natural moisture barrier. Not getting enough sleep can lead to dullness, dark circles, and wrinkles. Aim to get a high-quality sleep every night in order to keep your skin looking fresh and healthy.

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Move your body

Ever heard the quote, “If exercise could be packaged in a pill, it would be the single most widely prescribed and beneficial medicine in the nation.” Even just 10 minutes of exercise a day can help reduce your risk of age-related diseases and keep you looking young.

Recently, I discovered ClassPass (if you’ve heard of ClassPass before, shame on you for not telling me!), which allows you to work out and take classes at different places. I LOVE IT! I take sound meditation at this amazing Yoga studio 5 minutes away from me, spin class at a cycling studio down the street, and BootCamp at this gym. All of these classes are included with ClassPass). Oh, and when you click my link, you get some complimentary credits so that you can check it out for FREE!

If the gym or in-person classes are not your thing, there are other ways to move your body, such as taking a walk (the sidewalk is free), dancing around to music, and working out from YouTube videos.

When I’m too busy to hit the gym, I like to work out at home. You can get a great workout anywhere, and for less than $100, you can create your own mini at-home gym.

Check out my Pinterest board with different full-body workouts you can try.

If you’re interested in at-home workout essentials, these are my recommendations and what I currently use to stay in shape:

Resistance bands

My Pinterest board with different resistance band exercises you can do at home.

Kettle Bell

My Pinterest board with different Kettle band exercises you can do at home.

Bosu Ball

My Pinterest board with different bosu ball exercises you can do at home.

Fitness ball

My Pinterest board with different fitness ball exercises you can do at home.

Still not convinced to move your body? I feel you, dawg… which is why I created a video sharing how I stay motivated to workout even though I’m lazy:

Conclusion:

Your 30’s are an exciting time! Getting older doesn’t mean you cannot continue (or start) feeling your best and looking your best! When it comes to how to look good in your 30s, I say eat nutritionally dense food, drink plenty of water, work out, speak kindly to yourself, and use products that help you glow up too!

Are you currently in the 30+ club? If so, please share some of your tips and secrets below when it comes to how to look good in your 30s! I can’t wait to read them!