What Happens
to Your Skin
in Your 30s
and How to Fix It
Yes, things change ... but you can stay ahead of it
In your twenties, maybe you could get away with skipping moisturizer, sleeping four hours, and washing your face with body soap—and still look pretty good. Ah, the benefits of youth. But once you hit your thirties, your skin starts to show signs of life lived. That's not exactly a bad thing. Many guys feel they start looking even cooler at this point, but it does mean things are shifting under the surface.
And if you feel like your face may be starting to show signs of wear, you're likely right. Your dermatologist will tell you that collagen and elastin—the stuff that keeps your skin firm and smooth—start breaking down faster at this point. Experts estimate that collagen production drops by about 1% each year after 30. You might not see it yet, but it's happening. Your natural oil production slows, which can make your face look drier and duller.
Unfortunately, cell turnover slows, which means that dead skin cells hang around longer, making you look tired even when you're not. All the sun exposure starts catching up with you, too. Damage from old tans show up as dark spots and uneven tone. And those fine lines creeping up around your eyes or mouth? That's your body gently saying: time to put in a little effort. The good news is that this isn't about a tedious 10-step process or wildly expensive cosmetic procedures. It's about doing the basics better.
The Skin Care
Game Plan for Your 30s
Gentle Cleanser,
Toleriane hydrating cleanser,
$8.99 by La Roche-Posay
Skip the harsh face washes that strip everything. Look for a mild, low-foam cleanser with hydrating ingredients like glycerin or ceramides. This one is formulated with prebiotic thermal spring water, niacinamide and ceramide-3. Use it twice a day, especially at night.
Moisturize Like You
Mean It
SPF Daily moisturizer,
$19.99 / $15.87 by CeraVe
Think of moisturizer as your daily defense system. A lightweight cream in the morning with SPF (a minimum of 30) and a richer version at night keeps things smooth and balanced.
Utilize a
Retinol
Retinal 0.2% emulsion retinoid,
$14.90 by The Ordinary
This is your not-so-secret weapon against aging. A retinol or retinal serum boosts collagen and speeds up cell turnover. Start slow—maybe once or twice a week—and build up as your skin adjusts. It's the single best thing you can do to fight fine lines and dullness.
Advertisement
Don’t Neglect
the Eyes
Pro-Collagen
firming eye serum,
$39 by Paula’s Choice
If you don't want perpetually tired-looking eyes, early signs of sagging and crow's feet getting deeper, then you want a collagen-boosting, peptide-enriched eye cream. Dab it on after cleansing in the evening and let it work its way into skin while you sleep. This clinically proven gel treatment is a favorite because it's effective and a little goes a long way.
Exfoliate,
But Don’t Overdo It
Radical Repair Skin Renewal 20% mask,
$49 by Onekind
Once or twice a week, use a chemical exfoliant (AHAs like glycolic acid or BHAs like salicylic acid). It helps clear pores and slough off dead skin—no gritty scrubs needed. This mask is applied to skin and in 10 minutes, leaves skin visibly brighter and noticeably smoother while softening fine lines and fading dark spots.
Get the Order Right
The question now is, “Can I just slap them on or is there a specific order to applying my lotions and potions?” The answer, dermatologists told us, is that the order matters. If you don’t layer your products in the right way, you might render them ineffective or, worse, irritate your skin.
The Daily Valet. is your cheat sheet to what's happening, what's cool and what's making headlines. It's your secret to being the most interesting man in the room.
