Thirty, Flirty, and Thriving - Skincare and Anti-Aging Regimen for 30-Something • LA Longevity

Written by: Brielle Kirk, PA-C

So, I just turned 30, yikes! Okay, I know. I am still young and it is not that terrible, but this is the age when years of sun exposure in your 20s start to show up on your skin, as well as when the decline in collagen starts to accelerate. The good news is, if you start an appropriate skincare and anti-aging regimen now, you are not too late! At this age, it is important to PREVENT fine lines and wrinkles from forming. Here are some basic products and treatments that all 30-somethings should be utilizing!

1. MEDICAL-GRADE SKINCARE

Medical grade skincare products are the bread and butter of great skin. You can do all of the Botox and filler you want, but if your skin texture and tone is of bad quality, it will not matter. Skincare products are something you can be doing every day to fight fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage and hyperpigmentation from forming, while treating some of the minor ones you may already have. Medical-grade skincare is important, for the ingredients are regulated, heavily researched, and proven to make a positive difference. These are the skincare necessities every 30-something must be using!

i. SPF – UV rays do the most damage by far when it comes to our skin, and it is not just when we are laying out in the sun. It occurs when you least expect it, such as when the sun hits your face while driving to and from work daily. It even happens when it is cloudy! This is why sunscreen is a MUST. I love Elta MD UV Clear Broadspectrum SPF 36. It comes in a tinted and non-tinted formulation, so it is nice for those who want a little extra coverage while still protecting the skin!
ii. CLEANSER – this is what cleans the skin, removes bacteria, debris, and oils that promote aging and acne. I know it can be so daunting to do this at the end of a long day but please do it, ESPECIALLY if you are wearing makeup! Our favorite cleanser is ZO by Zein Obagi Gentle Cleanser. If acne prone, use ZO Exfoliating Cleanser.
iii. TONER – corrects the pH of skin, further removes impurities, and prepares your pores to absorb any skincare product that is applied after. Try ZO Complexion Renewal Pads if you have normal/dry skin and ZO Oil Control Pads if oily/acne-prone skin.
iv. RETINOID – vitamin A derivatives that help with cell turnover, fine lines and wrinkles. This is the number one product that everyone should be using to prevent aging. We love AlphaRet by SkinBetter Science, for it is a retinoic acid combined with lactic acid. This means that the retinoid is already in its converted form, making it stronger, better, and more effective than any over-the-counter Retinol available. The lactic acid helps to hydrate the skin, and because of this, it is extremely well tolerated and will not cause the dryness and irritation a prescription strength retinoid would.2. Hydrafacials – a facial that gently exfoliates and resurfaces the skin, extracts filled pores, hydrates the skin, and infuses skin with antioxidants and peptides to protect the skin and create a healthy glow. Getting these facials every 4-6 weeks is a must to maintain beautiful skin. If you want to be an overachiever, alternate these with VI Peels and SkinPen microneedling treatments to really optimize your skin texture and tone!

3. Botox – START NOW. You may only have a couple of static wrinkles at this time in your life, so now is the time to prevent more wrinkles from forming! Botox prevents/treats wrinkles by weakening/paralyzing the facial muscles. By doing this, the muscles cannot move or make creases, and therefore cannot create a wrinkle. The needle used to administer the Botox is super small and the procedure is not painful. If you start now, you will be in good shape as you continue to age!

If you implement all 3 of these recommendations, you will be off to a wonderful start on your flawless skin journey. We may not be able to stop aging completely, but with the products and treatments listed above, you will most certainly age gracefully and look younger than you really are! If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to schedule a consultation with me! I would love to see you and guide you along this journey!