Ageing is a natural process that happens to all living beings. While we may or may not become wiser with our advancing age, we definitely start looking old. And that is something that does not sit well with us. We all want to look young and have fresh, glowing, youthful skin at all times. This makes it important that you put in your time and effort into your skin right from your late 20s and early 30s. Introducing the right anti-ageing products into your daily skincare routine will help you ward off wrinkles, fine lines and other ageing signs right at the onset. Read along to learn more about what your skincare routine in the 30s should look like and what products you should be using to make your routine a balanced and rounded one.
Choosing the right products is the first step to achieving a balanced skincare routine. It is important that you understand your skin type well before choosing a product. Identifying the signs of ageing correctly and using products that target them specifically also plays a major role. Here are some of the products that would be ideal while building a skincare regimen.
- A Gentle Cleanser: Cleansing is always the first step in your skin care regimen. Caked makeup, along with natural skin oils and dirt make your skin look very unhealthy and lead to acne breakouts. Use a gentle cleanser without fail at night and in the morning after waking up. Cleansing ensures that the dirt and grime and the makeup are well removed from your skin. Clean skin also means that the anti-ageing serums and lotions that you apply get well absorbed. While choosing a cleanser, make sure that it is gentle and does not cause too much of exfoliation. Also, choose one that suits your skin type. Harch, chemical-loaded ones can irritate your skin and dry out all the natural oils, causing more damage than good.
- Sun-screen: The importance of good sunscreen in skin care cannot be emphasised enough. The harmful UV rays of the sun are the primary cause for your skin to age prematurely. The harsh rays damage the skin and dry it out. They also lead to the development of wrinkles and age spots. Understanding the potential of sun rays to cause damage and investing in a broad-spectrum sunscreen is the foundation for building an effective skin care regimen. Choose a good sunscreen with an SPF of 30 and above. Apply sunscreen every day, even on the days when the sun is hiding behind dark clouds.
- Antioxidants: When the skin is exposed to environmental stressors, there are free radicals that are formed. The free radicals cause a lot of damage to your skin. They make your skin look aged and dark by giving rise to fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. Antioxidants help to reverse the action and thus neutralise these free radicals.
Look for products that contain antioxidants like vitamin E, vitamin C and ferulic acid. These products not only combat the effects of free radicals but also even out and brighten your complexion. - Peptides: Our skin contains collagen fibres that provide elasticity and firmness. As we age, the natural reserves of collagen decrease gradually and our skin sags and becomes wrinkled. Peptide-rich products help boost the synthesis of new collagen thus reversing the effects of ageing. These peptides also improve the barrier function of the outer layer of the skin, thus neutralising the detrimental effects of external pollutants on the skin.
- Exfoliators: Exfoliation is a process where the skin’s upper layer consisting of dead cells and dirt is scrubbed off. Exfoliators help to improve the appearance by revealing the fresh skin layer and improving the production of new, healthy cells. Scrubbing off the upper damaged layer of the skin also helps get rid of wrinkles and pigmentation. Include a good exfoliator like glycolic acid in your skincare routine. You can also opt for natural exfoliators like homemade scrubs. Be careful not to exfoliate too much, as it can harm your skin and leave it red and raw.
- Niacinamide: Also known as Vitamin B3, niacinamide has been known for its numerous benefits on the skin. It improves the skin’s barrier function, reduces hyperpigmentation, and enhances the production of collagen. When used regularly, niacinamide-containing products can help to reduce dark circles, even out the skin tone, and make you look fresh and bright. Additionally, niacinamide is extremely gentle on the skin, making it suitable for all types of skin.
- Under-eye Creams: The skin under your eyes is extremely delicate. This is often the first area where the noticeable signs of ageing appear. You may get dark circles, puffiness or crow’s feet under your eyes that will make people comment on how old you look. A specialised under-eye cream can help you address these concerns. Ingredients like peptides, collagen and antioxidants help to repair the damage and provide hydration to the skin, giving you a youthful radiance.
- Night Creams : Night time is when your entire body is in rest and rejuvenation mode. For your skin, nighttime is for repair and restoration. Look for dedicated night creams that contain collagen, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and peptides. Applying night creams before you go to bed will help your skin to repair the damages endured during the day effectively. These creams also help in providing the right nutrients to your skin. Make sure your skin is cleansed well before you apply the night cream. Clean skin ensures that the cream is absorbed well, thus optimising the effects of the night cream.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid is a natural compound that occurs in the body. It is responsible for keeping the skin hydrating by keeping water trapped in the cells. Hyaluronic helps keep the skin soft, supple and youthful. As we age, the amount of hyaluronic acid in the skin decreases, and our skin starts showing signs of ageing like fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, etc. Including hyaluronic acid externally helps combat these problems.
- Sheet Masks: Sheet masks are a delightful way of treating your skin to some extra care and love. Sheet masks come loaded with several anti-ageing ingredients like vitamin C, collagen and hyaluronic acid. They provide an intense boost of hydration and nourishment that leaves your skin feeling super fresh and rejuvenated. Use a sheet mask regularly to see noticeable differences in your skin.
Investing time, energy and money in building a good skincare routine is something that will yield only positive returns. Using appropriate anti-ageing products from the beginning will ensure that the signs of ageing like wrinkles, fine lines and dark spots, are kept at bay. Using products rich in hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, peptides, and collagen will help you maintain a youthful and radiant complexion as you age. Remember that consistency and patience are the keys to good skin. It is never too late to start, and if you have not started working on your skin, the time is now!