If you’re old enough to have had a Spice Girls poster hanging in your childhood bedroom, you’re likely in your 30s now. Congratulations are in order; you survived the unfortunate fashion of the early 2000s and the uncertainty of your 20s. You, my friend, are a boss. But along with all the benefits that come with this glorious decade, also comes the responsibility to learn how best to take care of our skin in this new phase of life.
So, if you are yet to update your regimen, it’s probably time to recalibrate. In our experience, online reviews are a solid way to discover new products, so we raided the comments section of our favourite online retailers to pin-point exactly which lotions and potions women in their 30s are loving.
Ahead shop the picks that scored top marks from women in the discerning 30s club.
Average rating: 4.8 Whether you’re 15, 30 or 80, cleansing your face is an absolute must. At this specific stage, though, we should be looking for cleansers that can also protect from free radicals that age the skin. This one by iS Clinical does just that. “I follow the Shani Darden (celebrity aesthetician) method of cleansing my face: cleanse my face first and then wipe with two wet gauze pads,” one savvy 30-something said in her review on US site Dermstore. “This seems to really help is clearing out pores and keeping my skin feeling smooth.”
Average rating: 4.2/5. Double cleansing (that’s washing your face with oil-based cleanser first, then again with a water-based one) just got way easier. It’s an ideal method for women in their 30s, for its ability to deep clean without stripping the skin too much. “I love the fact I now have a travel-friendly companion too, I can easily pop some in a small container and off I go- no faffing around with a spoon trying to get product into another container or getting a smaller travel size,” said one on-the-go Space NK shopper.
Average rating: 4.8/5. Here’s another mask you’ll want to add to your arsenal. It’s cool, tingly feel let’s you know the black tea complex, smoothing polysaccharides and ultra-moisturising hyaluronic acid spheres are all working. “If you do chemical peels, using this afterwards will bring your complexion to the next level of perfection,” said one very happy Sephora reviewer.
Average rating: 4.4/5. Sometimes, you just gotta get back to basics. This tried-and-true clay mask is a solid one to have in your arsenal at any age. “I am 32, and have somewhat dry skin and get some clogged pores and occasionally pimples on the chin. I was shocked at the results. My skin was so smooth after one treatment,” one Amazon shopper raved.
Average rating: 5/5. This two-step treatment system is perfect for 30-somethings who are ready to peel the years away. The first step exfoliates, while the second step nourishes and protects the fresh skin. You’ll notice diminished fine lines and wrinkles, smaller pores and more even skin texture. One reviewer on US site Nordstrom called out how effective and gentle these treatment pads are, saying, “I am 30, have fair skin that’s usually sensitive, and was concerned about some dark spots from the sun, as well as overall evenness of time and texture. I use these about 3x/week with no redness or irritation, and my skin has honestly never looked better.”
Average rating: 4.6/5
Average rating: 4.75/5. Since the skin regenerates at night, it’s time to start paying closer attention to the products we’re applying before bed. This one by First Aid Beauty contains Colloidal Oatmeal and Niacinamide which soothe the skin and help it appear more bouncy, respectively. “My oily areas after 30 became an oil-slick,” on First Aid. “I decided to start using the cleanser, then night cream, following with a multicellular water wipe. It helped to balance the cream and my face in all areas. Great for moisturising for anti-ageing effects.”
Average rating: 4.7/5. This antioxidant rich cream is perfect for nighttime wear, because it won’t clog the pores while delivering its intense hydration. One US Bloomingdale’s shopper shared, “I have a combination skin type and I am 32: my skin gets oily at the t-zone and is normal in other zones. I also have a bit of an acne problem but my biggest concern is large pores. I love this creme – it does magic on my face.”
Average rating: 4.6/5. Clary Sage, olive and jojoba oils make this mighty cream ultra-gentle and moisturising. Also, you can’t beat that price. “I am 30…I had dry skin in yucky patches, red blotches, blackheads, uneven skin tone….everything in the book that no one wants,” one US Walgreen reviewer wrote. “I literally used this stuff, day and night, for 3 days and I have perfect skin. Everything is fixed. I’ve never been happier.”
Average rating: 4.7/5. This cream is a multi-tasker. It’s formulated to take on six types of eye wrinkles (yes, there are that many), including crow’s feet, lid creases, corner crinkling, under-puff lines, under-eye wrinkles, and those pesky wrinkles that form between the brows. A Sephora customer in the US had this to say: “Since I’ve been using this my eyes look younger and the puffiness under my eyes has gone away making me look more awake. I absolutely love this eye cream.”
Average rating: 4.5/5. Here’s a great mineral sunscreen by Supergoop!. It blends into the skin so you’re protected from the sun and its harmful rays without being stuck with a white cast over your face. “It didn’t make me look greasy and it applied so smoothly. Best of all it didn’t aggravate my acne or cause more breakouts! This sunscreen exceeded all my expectations!”
