How to take care of your skin between the ages of 30 and 40?

It can sometimes be tempting to skip the evening routine. Fatigue, a busy schedule... the reasons are numerous! However, this is a misguided idea, especially when one has reached their thirties. At this age, the production of hyaluronic acid by fibroblasts gradually begins to decrease, which promotes skin dehydration. Moreover, skipping makeup removal and cleansing also tends to dry out the skin. Indeed, makeup and impurities accumulated throughout the day disrupt the skin's nocturnal regeneration and natural hydration process, while also preventing facial care products from penetrating and acting. The result: the skin becomes dry.

To avoid this inconvenience, it is recommended to remove makeup and cleanse your face every evening with products suitable for your skin type. Moreover, even if you do not wear makeup, it is beneficial to perform a double cleanse. This technique, originating from Asia, allows for a deep purification of the skin without damaging or weakening its hydrolipidic film. As the name suggests, double cleansing is done in two steps. An oily phase capable of dissolving fatty substances (sebum, sunscreens...) is first used. A standard aqueous cleanser is then applied to deal with sweat and dust.

At the age of 30, it's not uncommon to see certain skin issues persist or appear. Imperfections, early wrinkles, hyperpigmentation marks... The use of specific active ingredients through serums allows us to target them. If your skin is dry, opt for squalane, hyaluronic acid, or polyglutamic acid. In case of imperfections, bakuchiol or succinic acid may suit you better. If you wish to reduce the signs of aging and prevent future wrinkles, retinol or bakuchiol are relevant active ingredients. As for pigmentation spots, these can be diminished with glycolic acid or tranexamic acid.

Furthermore, between the ages of 30 and 40, it is beneficial to start using antioxidants, molecules that protect the skin from oxidative stress and its negative effects. Generated by exposure to UV rays, pollution, or tobacco, free radicals attack DNA and cellular components, accelerating the skin aging process and exacerbating the skin issues mentioned earlier. By neutralizing free radicals, antioxidants can prevent these problems.

During our thirties, the skin undergoes several structural changes, making it more vulnerable. It has been particularly demonstrated that the thickness of the epidermis and dermis decreases progressively and linearly between the ages of 20 and 40, by approximately 6.4% per decade. The thinning of the skin structure over time leads to a gradual increase in water loss. This phenomenon has an impact on overall skin health and weakens the skin. Dehydration also promotes the appearance of dehydration-induced fine lines.

To enhance skin hydration and strengthen the hydrolipidic film, it is crucial to apply a moisturizing cream suitable for your skin type, both morning and evening. This also applies to individuals with oily skin: contrary to popular belief, this skin type also needs hydration for protection. If your skin tends to be oily, opt for a fluid and mattifying moisturizing cream, which helps control sebum levels.

The sun is one of the major causes of skin aging. Its radiations, composed of UVA, UVB, and infrared rays, cause multiple damages, both at the cellular and tissue levels, leading to genetic mutations and the disorganization of certain protein fibers. These damages, due to the action of free radicals, result in early skin sagging, brown spots, and skin dryness.

Several studies have focused on ways to combat the effects of photoaging. One of them, conducted in 2016 over a year with 32 subjects, showed that the daily application of a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 30 could significantly improve signs of skin aging and prevent their progression. At the end of the study, scientists demonstrated that this new habit allowed participants to reduce their pigmentation spots by an average of 50%, their crow's feet wrinkles by 25%, and improve the uniformity of their complexion by 34%.

Often overlooked, the exfoliation process is crucial for proper skin care. Indeed, once we reach the age of 30, cellular renewal slows down, which not only affects the texture of the skin but also its natural aging process. In fact, the accumulation of dead cells on the surface of the stratum corneum has consequences on the skin's radiance and increases the visibility of wrinkles. That's why it's recommended to schedule a weekly appointment to remove dead cells and rejuvenate the skin.

Advice : If you have sensitive skin, favor chemical exfoliants over mechanical scrubs, which are more abrasive.

• ROBERT A. & al. Skin Thickness Variations in Normal Aging Skin. Gerontology (1990).

• TSCHACHLER E. Relative Contribution of Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Factors to Skin Aging Determined by a Validated Skin Age Score. Archives of Dermatology. (2002).

• MAIBACH I. & others. Age and skin structure and function, a quantitative approach (I): blood flow, pH, thickness, and ultrasound echogenicity. Skin Research & Technology (2005).

• SOUTHALL M. & al. Daily Use of a Facial Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Over One-Year Significantly Improves Clinical Evaluation of Photoaging.Dermatologic Surgery(2016).