Skin Care Tips For Your 30s: Beauty At Every Age

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In our new series, Beauty At Every Age, we take a close look at the best skincare approaches for women in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. Whether your goal is to prevent fine lines or repair past damage, each age group has its own unique issues.This week, we're focusing on the 30s.



Dermatologist Dr. Jeannette Graf offers expert tips on how to maintain healthy, gorgeous skin in your 30s like actress Zoe Saldana.


Now that you're in your 30s, it's time to get serious about taking better care of your skin. Forget about taboos like tanning or social smoking if you want to tackle the early signs of aging that spring up.

"The appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eye area become evident and uneven," according to Dr. Jeannette Graf, dermatologist and author of Stop Aging, Start Living. "Lighter skin tone with increased sun exposure will show signs of aging earlier, while during the later part of the decade there may be an increase in the depth of the smile lines."

Juggling career, family and friends, women in their 30s often skip or incorrectly perform the most important step in skin care: cleansing.

Dr. Graf adds, "The key to cleansing is to use a pH balanced cleanser which maintains the integrity of the delicate moisture barrier of the skin."

Click through the slideshow below for Dr. Graf's skin care product recommendations, and keep reading below for her advice on taking care of skin in your 30s.


1. Cleanse skin each morning and make sure to remove makeup and cleanse again before bedtime. This allows skin to perform its essential protective and renewal functions.

2. Exfoliate at night rather than the daytime. Overnight skin is in renewal mode and removing dead skin skin prior to bedtime enhances the skin's function. Exfoliation should be gentle -- never harsh. The point of exfoliation is to remove dead skin which normally falls off by the action of enzymes within the skin. These enzymes require hydration in order to work and dry skin doesn't have enough moisture to work.

3. Protect skin during the daytime by combining an antioxidant serum or cream with sunblock as they enhance each other.

4. Wear broad spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection every single day of the year, including overcast winter days. UVA rays are "stealth agers" which remain constant throughout the year.

5. Make sure that body skin is well moisturized. Showers should be less than five minutes and water temperature lukewarm. Using a moisturizing body wash is important as well to preserve the protective moisture barrier of skin.

6. Slather on rich body cream twice daily for healthy, hydrated skin.

7. Drink plenty of water to also stay hydrated internally. Add lemon or lime juice for an extra boost. And, eat a healthy, colorful high-fiber diet that increases internal alkalinity such as a Mediterranean-style diet.

Meanwhile, find out how to keep the healthy, glowy skin of your 20s for years to come.

 
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05:05 AM on 02/02/2012
It is a must-read article indeed: Many people don't realize that applying the sunscreen is a must-do, even at winter.
The author of this article mentioned "Retinoids and antioxidants". Those are "big" words, but those contents are already exist in fruits and vegetables and not only skincare products.
For example, there are many retinoids in the carrot and the antioxidants at large - are found in fruits, vegetables and even in garden herbs. http://www.hairandlaserclinic.com/rejuvenation.htm
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01:56 PM on 01/25/2012
I agree "Wear broad spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection every single day of the year"... Very important ! It's also important to pamper your skin with natural home remedies, I made a list on things you can make..
http://www.skinnyscoop.com/list/betty_sand/5-best-beauty-tricks-for-2012
12:07 PM on 01/11/2012
I think that sticking to natural skin products would probably have more of an effect with less toxins than these recommended products.

http://www.ideamarketers.com/?articleid=2694451&CFID=32215770&CFTOKEN=86467539
12:43 PM on 12/16/2011
At any age, the first rule of good skin care is having a good nutrition:
When you eat greasy foods your skin will probably get oily and will have clogged pores. If you don't eat enough vitamins like E and A (retinol) the skin will look tired even at your 20s.
All the vitamins and minerals can be consumed through food.
More info you can find here: http://www.facial-homemade.com/antioxidants.html

Consult a certified nutritionist to build a healthy diet plan. Use dermatologist's advice to overcome any skin problems that you might have now or in the future.
That's how you will feel and look good at any age, regardless of the products in the market!
04:03 PM on 12/13/2011
Go to: youravon.com/jcaruana for a great selection of delivered to you high qaulity proven skin care products.
02:01 PM on 12/13/2011
Go to www.transdformula.com to find the safest, most all natural way to stop aging!! Use code 7752 to save $. It is never too late to start.
01:48 PM on 12/13/2011
a 5 min shower??
11:57 AM on 12/13/2011
One more important step is moisturizing your skin! SPF 15 is enough for both summer and winter but if you want to go higher that is fine. After washing face, your skin can feel slightly dry. If your skin feels so tight after washing face. You have wrong kind of soap for your face and skin. Moisturize it immediately once you get out of the shower to lock in moisture. Let it absorb. Repeat if necessary. Drink plenty of water. Especially in the winter when the indoors can get really dry from the heating or fireplace. Face mist is ideal.

To maintain optimal skin care I recommend a professional face spa once every quarter. It'll clean out the pores, get rid of toxins and get your skin pH balanced.

Dermalogica (on the higher end and amazingly gentle). You can find them at local salon/spa or Ulta. Cetaphil (incredibly affordable and amazingly gentle, too). You can find them at any food store or drug store. I strongly recommend both because they both are recommended by my dermtatologist. I've used Cetaphil since my teens (due to break outs). I have to thank my dermtatologist for teaching me basics of skin care. A lot of people keep asking me how old I am because I don't look 30 at all. I am glad I started early.
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09:12 AM on 12/13/2011
Nothing for us "old crones" in our 60's. I guess by then, it'a apparent all is lost.
08:22 AM on 12/13/2011
Ha!!! Look at the doctor's picture...the secret is MAKEUP!!!!!!!
02:06 PM on 12/13/2011
Its not the Dr - its an actress
58 minutes ago ( 8:14 AM)
AND she is not 60s, she is on 30s

http://homemade-facial-masks.net/remedy-get-rid-of-dark-circles-under-eyes
08:00 AM on 12/13/2011
what about for women who have extremely oily skin, combo skin, or very dry skin? What do they think that every person should do this every single day? Put unknown amount of chemicals on your skin every single day because it is supposed to make you look young and healthy?
07:40 AM on 12/13/2011
I'd like to see a "real" woman instead of a heavily made up model in these advertisements for skin care products. I didn't have wrinkles and skin damage in my 30's that showed. I've always looked several years younger than my real age. It wasn't until my 50's that the sins of the past started to appear.(tanning, over exposure to extreme heat and cold and "laugh lines") Even at 59 I could look good in a picture if my make up and hair were done professionally. Oh wait. I still look pretty good for 59 but I still want to see real women in basic makeup with untouched photos that use these products.

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