Skincare in your 30s: The Good, the Bad, the not so Good, the not so Bad, we’re here for you!

One concern and one product at a time.

Are you seeing your skin change right before your eyes? Is it getting better or worse? Look to your hormones for answers! As you enter your 30s, you experience a change in your hormone levels, which could make or break your skin. If it makes it great, let’s say not so fast, we will show you how to hack skincare in your 30s.

If your hormones are doing well for your skin, it’s important to harness that and use products that will protect and nourish the good your hormones are bringing. If they’re acting up, and your skin seems erratically off, we may consider making a change.

Studies suggest that the first signs of ageing appear in your mid-20s to early 30s; this occurs in the form of wrinkles, fine lines, and thinning and sagging of the skin. Here at Founders, we believe in ageing gracefully and wonderfully. That said, as your skin grows over the years, the rate of skin cell production slows down. This means that our skin does not produce or regenerate cells as often, and older skin cells begin to live on the surface of your skin for longer, making the skin appear dull and tired. It has been found that as you grow and age, collagen synthesis also begins to drop.

Moreover, you begin to see that you need more hydration to supplement the fact that your skin begins to lose water faster, leaving it drier than it generally is.

Other related changes that become visible on the skin:

Skin ageing is a complex biological process influenced by a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including:

1. Genetics
2. Metabolic Rates
3. Hormone Levels
4. Chronic Light Exposure
5. Pollution
6. Ionising Radiation
7. Chemicals
8. Toxins

These factors lead to cumulative, structural, and physiological changes in both the skin layer and its appearance, especially in areas that are exposed to the sun.

Below are three key areas to keep an eye on and how they affect your skin:

1. Lifestyle: How your skin reacts and changes in your 30s highly depend on, one, your skin type, and two, your lifestyle. For example, if you smoke frequently, your skin's capability to produce free radicals is higher and unstable—free radicals damage cells, leading to, among other things, premature wrinkles.
2. Heredity and Genes: Your heredity and genes, too, have a significant role in this process. Specific changes take place in the skin naturally over time. However, genetics also play a role in intrinsic ageing, a genetically determined process occurring naturally. It is also affected by the degenerative effects of free radicals, hormonal shifts, and the body’s inability to repair skin damage.
3. Gradual changes in the skin composition: Constant exposure to the sun results in the epidermis being thick, thus making the skin lose elasticity leading to the phenomenon of sagging skin, deep wrinkles, dullness, and rough skin. More so, slowing the epidermal turnover rate and cell cycle lengthening coincides with slower wound healing and less effective desquamation in older adults.

Ingredients to introduce in your skincare routine:

Seeing signs of ageing? We know this can be disturbing, but don’t lose hope; start today. Look after and nourish your skin and yourself!

When it comes to skincare in your 30s, it's vital to use ingredients that help to address specific concerns and support the skin's natural renewal processes, such as:

1. Retinols and Retinoids: A type of vitamin A derivative that reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. They increase cell turnover and collagen production, improving skin texture and firmness. It is advised to always start with a low concentration and gradually increase concentrations to avoid skin irritation.
2. Vitamin C: A potent antioxidant that can help to brighten and even out skin tone, stimulate collagen production, reduce inflammation, and protect the skin from free radical damage. P.S. Look for a stable, high-quality form of vitamin C, such as L-ascorbic acid, in your skincare products.
3. Hyaluronic Acid: A humectant that can help to hydrate and keep the skin plump. It attracts water molecules and can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, which can help to improve skin elasticity and smoothness.
4. Niacinamide: Also known as vitamin B3, it is a multi-tasking ingredient that can help to regulate oil production, reduce inflammation, and improve skin texture. It brightens the skin and reduces the appearance of pores too.
5. Peptides are amino acids that stimulate collagen production and improve skin firmness and elasticity. They also work to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
6. Ceramides are lipids that help strengthen the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss. They also help to improve overall skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
7. Sunscreen: The most essential product on your skincare shelf is sunscreen. Applying sunscreen is not advised as it protects the skin from sunburns, premature ageing, and pigmentation.

The process of navigating through skincare in your 30s can be overwhelming and stressful; however, it is always encouraged to speak with a dermatologist if you have access to one, do enough research on skin concerns and the products available to cure them, and lastly, to not introduce too many new developments in your routine at once as that could work against your plan and lead to skin reactions. Go for one product at a time - give it 3-4 weeks to work its magic, and then introduce a new product. Disclaimer: Always do a patch test first.