I’m a Beauty Editor Who Just Turned 30—7 Changes I’m Making to My Skincare

As is to be expected when a landmark birthday looms, the weeks and months prior to my thirtieth birthday felt like they were building up to a seismic event. There was no shortage of both excitement and dread (whether warranted or not) as I began to mourn my twenties, while simultaneously looking forward to a decade which my thirty-something friends continuously told me would be ‘the best one yet’. But the thing is, when the day itself actually comes, turning 30 doesn’t actually feel any different to turning 29, or 25, or 21. 

In reality, of course, I know that when it comes to my body and my skin, this is going to be the decade where big changes happen. “As you hit your thirties, you may find your skin becomes less elastic and you might also find that it is slightly drier or oiler (this can vary due to hormones) because the rate of collagen and elastin production lowers,” explains dermatologist Sonia Khorana. “You can also start to see some early signs of ageing, as well as the first effects of sun damage that most likely happened in your younger years. Loss of volume in cheeks can also start happening and this can make under eye changes appear more prominent.”

I’m a huge believer in the fact that ageing is a privilege, and I’m no lover of the term ‘anti-ageing’. As a beauty editor and esthetician, I’m well aware that there really is no such thing. Skin ages, whether we like it or not, and while there are plenty of potent antioxidants and scientifically proven ingredients that can help to slow down the appearance of ageing skin, nothing that you apply to your face can stop it in its tracks. Sure, wearing daily SPF and using ingredients like retinol and vitamin C will help, but a lot of skin ageing is down to genetics or to damage that occurred to our skin much earlier in life.

“Prevention is better than cure, so the earlier you start taking care of your skin the better but it is never too late to start,” says Khorana. “In fact, your thirties is the perfect time to start incorporating “anti-ageing” or active ingredients so you can target specific concerns.” If you haven’t already, there are a few simple changes to your skincare regime you can make that will make a huge difference in the long term. Keep scrolling for the changes I’m making to my skincare routine for my thirties.

“It is important to have a good skincare routine in your thirties to preserve collagen as well as to stimulate collagen and elastin production to keep your skin looking its best,” says Khorana. “There are some key skincare ingredients that can help, along with in clinic treatments such as microneedling, radiofrequency, lasers, and IPL.” Collagen and elastin are responsible for keeping our skin looking and feeling plump and tight. Our bodies naturally produce them, but this production starts to slow down once we’re in our late twenties. As it decreases, skin appears looser and thinner, which means it creases more easily, and over time, these creases form fine lines and eventually wrinkles. To protect collagen and elastin, look out for skincare that contains antioxidant ingredients—antioxidants protect the skin from free radicals, which we’re exposed to through things like pollution and sun exposure, and which further contribute to the breakdown of skin’s collagen and elastin. But which antioxidants are best to use?

“In the morning, I would recommend incorporating vitamin C into your routine. It’s been heavily researched—it helps prevent free radical damage, helps improve brightness and helps build collagen,” says Khorana. For the evening, she recommends using a retinoid based serum or cream. “A retinoid is a great addition to your skincare routine for your thirties as it encourages skin cell renewal, collagen production, exfoliation, reduces the appearance of pores and regulates oil production. It’s a superhero ingredient for me,” she adds.

Every time I go for a facial I walk out promising myself I’m going to start incorporating more facial massage techniques into my daily routine. After all, who wouldn’t want to see that post-facial lift and glow on a daily basis? And as it turns out, facial massage has far more than just an immediate effect—if practiced regularly, the long term benefits can help to address some of the key signs of ageing skin. “Adding the simple step of facial massage into your routine helps to stimulate and re-energise all the natural functions, such as blood flow, detoxification and cell turnover meaning collagen production,” explains Sophie Perry, Global Education Manager at FaceGym. “The more you keep consistent the better the results for all ages.” 

If you’re curious about exactly how to start with facial massage, I’d highly recommend getting some face time with a FaceGym trainer—they’re available both in person at FaceGym’s studios and via online 1:1 masterclasses. The brand refers to their treatments as workouts—they incorporate vigorous muscle manipulation techniques to produce immediate results. “FaceGym trainers are armed with so many at home techniques to recommend specifically to their clients needs to help maintain results at home,” says Perry. “I always say if you’re super new to the practice, start by including a few moves into your cleansing routine if you struggle with time,” she adds. “Above all, don’t overthink it! Begin with a few key moves every day on an area you wish to focus on. It doesn’t need to be more than a few minutes, the key is to stay consistent, and you can always built upon your practice once you start to notice the results.”

Having spent the majority of my teens and twenties battling acne, I’ve had my fair share of facials, but in my thirties I’m committing to being more dedicated to regular in-salon treatments. “Once we reach our thirties, our skin health is prone to decline, which is why keeping up with treatments and a regular skincare regime is so important,” says skincare expert and aesthetic practitioner Natali Kelly. “This is due to the cell production slowing down, and hormonal changes giving you drier and more acne prone skin, not to mention an increase in fine lines,” she adds. "With this in mind, its key to maintain skins health with regular facials, as this helps your pores stay cleansed and skin more hydrated.” If you’re new to facials and unsure where to start, Kelly recommends the HydraFacial, a popular treatment which is suitable for all skin types. “A HydraFacial is basically a huge skin detox,” she explains. “It’s a non-invasive treatment which cleanses skin and supports with hydration, brightening, evening skin tone, calming, and anti-ageing. The treatment incorporates an exfoliating suction device which removes dead skin calls from the surface of your skin, so your skin instantly looks and feels brighter and smoother. “My patients always leave the clinic feeling refreshed, and with a plumped and youthful glow,” adds Kelly. “It’s a popular treatment before big events because the results are so immediate.”

If you’ve ever done any research into “anti-ageing skincare” then you’ll know that collagen really is a hot topic. Why? Because its depletion has one of the most visible effects upon the body. “As collagen production slows down along with the skin’s repair cycle – people often complain that their skin looks duller and less tight,” says Khorana. These days collagen is mentioned not just in relation to serums and creams, but frequently in regard to oral supplements. Liquid shots, powders, capsules, and tablets which contain collagen or help the body to produce collagen are one of the fastest growing supplement categories, especially for consumers in their thirties and above.

If you’re in the market for a collagen supplement, then according to Lorraine Perretta, Head of Nutrition at Advanced Nutrition Programme, it’s best to choose one that combines collagen with other ingredients that will help the body to absorb it and use it effectively. ““All the vitamins and minerals in your body work together, so if you do not have one of the co-factors necessary for a specific process, the body struggles to complete the activity,” she explains. “For example, vitamin A and vitamin C are two key nutrients for the skin. Both of them have many benefits when taken as a supplement and maintain overall skin health, and one of their properties is supporting and strengthening collagen and elastin fibres which can help lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”

Another change that we can anticipate in our thirties is an increase in signs of dryness and dehydration, so a supplement containing omegas 3 and 6 can be beneficial in helping to moisturise skin from within. “These essential fatty acids are also required for optimum physical and mental health,” explains Perretta. “And research has indicated that they may support skin, memory and cardiovascular health.”

If SPF isn’t already a staple in your morning skincare routine, then in your thirties, it really needs to be. “If you don’t use sunscreen then don’t look at other products and start here first,” says Khorana. Sunscreen is far more than just a product to use on sunny days or trips to the beach. UV rays are the biggest cause of the visible signs of ageing, and we’re exposed to them 365 days a year. In fact, because of its ability to block UV from reaching the skin, SPF really is the most effective “anti-ageing” ingredient there is. “It helps preserve collagen, prevent signs of premature ageing, reduce pigmentation and dark marks, and reduce the chance of skin cancer,” adds Khorana.

While I’ve religiously applied sunscreen daily for years, I’m definitely guilty of neglecting certain areas—something I’m keen to address in my thirties. The scalp, ears, lips, and hands are often overlooked when it comes to SPF application. However, brands are catching on, and in recent years SPF has been added to lip balms, hand creams, and even easy-to-apply sprays which can be used on hard-to-target areas like the ears and scalp. 

I’ve been very fortunate that through my twenties I’ve never really had any major concerns with my eye area, aside from the occasional morning puffiness. However I’m well aware that, due to its thin and delicate skin (which creases easily), the eye area is typically the first to show signs of ageing. “When my clients hit their thirties they often start noticing blood vessels beneath the eyes and discolouration, which makes the appearance of dark circles and tired eyes more obvious,” says Khorana. “Some of my patients also start seeing fine lines and pigmentation appear,” she adds. Of course, there’s nothing that can be done to permanently prevent these things from eventually happening, but we can certainly 

Keeping the eye area well hydrated is a great preventative measure, since this keeps the skin plump and prevents it from creasing easily. Likewise, the same antioxidant ingredients you apply to the rest of your face will also benefit the eye area, especially if you’re concerned about pigmentation and loose skin—you’ll find many eye creams and serums containing ingredients like vitamin C and retinoids.

Having naturally thin and slightly wonky lips, I got lip filler in my late twenties and found it gave me a huge confidence boost. While I by no means want to rely in injectables as a “solution” to ageing, I can certainly see the benefits of a preventative approach, and I’m sure that this is something I’ll explore further in my thirties.

There’s still a lot of unwarranted stigma around cosmetic procedures, but the reality is that tweakments like filler and Botox are the future of “anti-ageing” skincare.  “Cosmetic injectables are still very much seen as preventative treatments for my clients in their thirties,” says medical esthetician Bridie Bukorovic. “But your thirties are the best time to start them. Botox at this point can help to prevent lines and wrinkles from forming or becoming deeply set,” she adds. “When injected, the toxin blocks the nerve signals that cause muscles to contract,” explains Bukorovic. “So when used for aesthetic purposes it basically relaxes the targeted muscle, reducing its movement, which in turn prevents the formation of lines in that area.” This popular tweakment is often used to reduce or prevent the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, most commonly on the forehead, around the eyes, and between the eyebrows.

As for filler, Bukorovic recommends this for clients who are noticing skin no longer appearing as plump or ‘lifted’ as it used to be. “There’s a common misconception that filler will really alter your face shape, but we can use it to restore lost volume so you can retain your natural facial features rather than dramatically changing them,” she adds. “You shouldn't notice good filler and that's my approach to my treatments. A good practitioner will advise you based on your individual face and proportions, as this should always be considered before committing to a treatment.”  

In addition, for those concerned about loss of collagen, Bukorovic also recommends looking into 'collagen banking’ treatments. “Treatments like these involve injecting a hyaluronic acid based gel under the skin in targeted areas on the face, so unlike filler this does not change your features in any way,” she explains. “It’s basically skincare applied directly to the source—it stimulates the production of different types of collagen and elastin which in turn improves the overall condition of your skin, boosts hydration, and creates a smoother more youthful appearance—think baby face!” One such treatment is Profhilo, currently one of the most popular skin boosters on the market due to the fact it requires little down time, has no associated risks, and can be used to treat areas beyond the face, such as the neck, décolletage, and hands.

Next Up: I'm a Skin Expert, and These Are the Tweakments That Are Worth Knowing About