What is it about the prospect of turning 30 that brings a newfound devotion to skincare? Yes, there’s the obsessive poring over stray spots and microscopic lines you’re yet to be familiar with, but is it all in your mind, or does your skin actually start to change right when you enter that third decade?
According to Alicia Barba, a Miami-based dermatologist, the first signs of sun damage do generally show up in your thirties, as your skin’s reparative abilities begin to weaken — think mild brown spots, crow’s feet and dull skin. But it’s important to remember that those changes are actually a reflection of past behaviour. “The damage you do in your twenties is going to show up in your thirties, forties, and fifties,” she explains. “It’s a cumulative effect; things will come back to haunt you.”
Fortunately, by taking early action, you can make a significant impact on your skin’s future health, Barba explains. “A lot of it has to do with prevention and protection – being the 20-year-old wearing a hat at the beach,” she says. “But it’s also about developing good habits to carry you on through your later years.” One especially important practice: extending your products’ reach. “When you’re young, it’s easy to think just about your face, but we need to protect our neck, chest, hands, and feet as well,” she adds. “As you get older, you’ll start thinking about them more. You can usually carry what works for your face down to your neck and chest.”
Here, Barba breaks down the best skincare products for your twenties that every woman should be using before she turns 30 – but those 30 and older should also take notes. “It’s never too late to start, and I promise it will help,” Barba says. Thirty is the new 20, after all.
Gentle cleanser
“It’s important to exfoliate, but sometimes we can become over-exfoliated. From cleansers to sonic devices to scrubs, if you use one exfoliator on top of another, the skin can become irritated and raw. It’s always nice to have a gentle cleanser on hand, especially in the morning when you really only have natural oils and the product from the night before to clean off.”
