...and what to do about it.
By Deanna Pai, Redbook
In your 30s, plenty of
things in your life are on the up-and-up, like your career and your
confidence. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for your skin.
Cell turnover slows down.
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the time you hit 30, the process that keeps your complexion bright and
soft begins to lose steam. "It can now take about twice as long — 40
days versus 20 — for your body to turn over cells on the skin's surface
and replace them with fresh ones," says Dendy Engelman,
M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. To keep skin looking fresh,
she's a fan of at-home peels, which use a blend of acids to minimize
dark spots and fine lines. Try BeautyRx Advanced 10% Exfoliating Pads, which exfoliate with glycolic acid.
Hormonal changes can cause acne.
[post_ads]That
whole "only teenagers get acne" thing is just a myth. "Due to hormonal
changes, some people will start experiencing acne breakouts," says Dr.
Engelman. "If you haven't already, now is the time to start applying
retinoids, which regulate cell turnover and fight inflammation to
prevent acne." She recommends cleansing your skin with a gentle face
wash before using retinol, which can be harsh. A good one: Garnier SkinActive The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser, which gets rid of makeup, dirt, and oil without stripping skin of moisture.
Pores stretch out.
"As
you get older, your skin loses its elasticity, which can cause your
pores to look bigger," Dr. Engelman explains. The key to keeping them
looking tiny is to make sure they're clean 24/7. Wash with a micellar
water like Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 Cleanser & Makeup Remover, which cleanses and removes makeup without harsh rubbing or rinsing. Easy!
Crows' feet appear.
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eyes are the first area of the face to show signs of aging. "This is
because skin around the eyes is naturally thinner, but also because of
daily practices, like squinting when looking at phones or electronic
devices, constantly rubbing your eyes, and furrowing your brows when
you're worried or thinking too hard," Dr. Engelman says. She recommends
strategic botulinum toxin injections (think Botox), which can ease the
contraction of underlying muscles that cause those lines. Feeling
needle-phobic? Opt for a rich eye cream like Skinceuticals Eye Balm instead.
Sun damage begins to show.
Long-term
harm from UV exposure builds up over time, which is why you probably
didn't notice its effects in your 20s. "It can cause premature aging,
hyper-pigmentation, and enlarged pores, since it thickens your skin,
causing skin cells to collect around the edges of your pores and stretch
them out," Dr. Engelman says. The only real solution is an easy one:
Keep the sun off your skin! Wear your sunscreen, pop on a hat, and try a
linen sundress at the beach or pool when you're not in the water.
Moisture levels drop.
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"Aging
causes a constant decrease in the amount of hyaluronic acid present in
the body," says Dr. Engelman. Hyaluronic acid is a key player in your
hydration levels, so a dip is noticeable. Restore it with Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb The Super Hydrating Sheet Mask, which is infused with — you guessed it — hyaluronic acid.
Skin's ceramides disappear.
While
there are different types of lipids (AKA fats) that fortify skin's
moisture barrier, keeping hydration in and bad stuff out, "ceramides
have been found to be the most crucial component for maintaining the
function of skin's moisture barrier," says Dr. Engelman. By the time you
hit your 30s, you'll have lost roughly 40 percent of your skin's
natural ceramides. The good news? You can replace them with
ceramide-packed products, like Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum.
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