If there’s anything I’ve learned regarding health, it’s that prevention is key. Skincare is no different! Don’t wind up realizing one day you “all of a sudden” have wrinkles, sun spots and saggy baggy eyes. If the skincare regimin in your 20s was wash, throw on some makeup, party and then sleep in it, by God girl, get going! Skincare in your 30s is critical in preventing and correcting aging skin.

Photo by Robert Bejil Productions via Flickr Image altered

Skincare in Your 30s

Regime Prescribed from a Med-Spa Esthetician

It’s always a great idea to consult with an esthetician (a skincare specialist) on which products to use for your skin. If that doesn’t interest you, perhaps my experience and recommendations may eliminate the need! I have a dear friend who is a med-spa esthetician prescribe a regime for my specific skincare issues. Her recommendations were not based on her financial benefit, as I didn’t purchase these items from her/her facility. She personally uses all these products herself and looks amazing in her mid 40s. I swear, she has less wrinkles than I do. If you have similar issues, this will hopefully help you!

My skincare concerns:

1. Thinning skin all over, less supple than before 
2. Crow’s feet wrinkles when expressions are made
3. Leftover acne scars and occasional continued acne

Products my Med-Spa Esthetician Prescribed:

Disclosure: Any links to outside products are affiliate links and I would be marginally compensated if purchased. Please know, I’d never promote something I dislike or wouldn’t purchase myself. 

1. SkinMedica TNS Recovery Complex. This little gem is the most vital product you can purchase. It’s formulated by Allergan (one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world). Made with Human Fibroblast Conditioned Media, (natural messenger proteins) it promises to improve fine lines, wrinkles, skin tone and texture. Technically, it helps to regrow collagen, as it contains real DNA.
2. Skinceuticals Phloretin Cf Broad-range Antioxidant Treatment. Living in sunny Southern California is beautiful, but causes so much stress on the skin. Sunshine, although beneficial for many reasons, causes free radicals to form. In short, free radicals cause cell death. And healthy, supple skin is comprised of lots of living cells, not dead ones! This antioxidant treatment, in conjunction with sunscreen, will prevent this cycle from occurring. Plus it assists in brightening and evening tone over time.
3. Skin Ceuticals Retexturing Activator. Frequent exfoliation is critical for healthy, glowing, beautiful skin. This is a chemical exfoliator that used on a daily basis will assist with acne prevention, scar lightening cell renewal. 
4. Bioelements Pumice Peel. This product too will change your life! I’ve been using this for over 10 years, per her recommendation. Use this a few times a week for the smoothest skin you’ve ever felt. The next day your makeup will look flawless. Most importantly, it makes the products above more effective and stimulates cell renewal.

Directions – Morning

1. Cleanse (I use Andalou Naturals Meyer Lemon Creamy Cleanser)
2. 3 drops Skin Ceuticals Retexturing Activator all over skin and neck
3. 1 small drop Skin Ceuticals Retexturing Activator all over skin and neck
4. Sunscreen (I use Andalou Naturals Ultra Sheer SPF 18 Daily Defense Facial Lotion)
5. Follow with makeup (The base I love to use is Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30)

Directions – Evening

1. Remove all makeup and thoroughly wash face 
2. Exfoliate face and neck 3 times a week with Bioelements Pumice Peel 
3. About 1 pump SkinMedica TNS Recovery Complex over face and neck
4. Moisturize with any basic moisturizer (I use Andalou Naturals Probiotic C Renewal Cream)

If none of the above strike your fancy, check out this great resource that compares some of the best anti-aging creams on the market. 

Personal Testimony

I have been more than thrilled with the above system since I began using it. Yes, I’ve seen incredible improvements, notably in my skin’s texture and suppleness. I feel it is firmer than before and I’m hoping it will only get better. If I were to only have room in my budget for 1 item, it would definitely be the SkinMedica TNS Recovery Complex. This is what I attribute to my improved plumpness and reduced wrinkles. It really is stimulating collagen regrowth that I can see. The picture below is about 2 months after using.

Now, for some science behind skin aging!

Intrinsic & Extrinsic Factors Affecting Skin

Extrinsic

Extrinsic means outside. Factors outside the body can obviously damage skin. Two of the prominent players being sun (UV rays) and pollution. Not only this, but your lifestyle and how you have treated your skin in the past years of your life will eventually show on your face.

Intrinsic 

Intrinsic means internal. Not surprisingly, your skin is majorly affected by whats going on in your body. Getting proper, balanced nutrition and drinking plenty of water will assist in healthy-looking skin.

Genetics is a determining factor in how your skin ages. If your relatives fought acne, premature wrinkles, thin skin or melasma, it’s likely you will too.

Thirdly, Hormones circulating within the body play a vast part in how skin is aging. If balanced, they can help support beautiful, slowly aging skin. If unbalanced or consistently changing, they can be your skin’s nemesis. 

Hormones Related to Pregnancy Affecting Skin

Hormones, weight gain then weight loss, stress and lack of sleep reek havoc on your skin. I know it did mine. I swore that smiling at such a sweet little baby all day resulted in my crazy new “wrinks”. Estrogen affects the thickness of your skin (collagen), moisture levels and overall wrinkle formation.

The rise of estrogen during pregnancy is partly responsible for that beautiful pregnancy “glow”. Unfortunately, the downside is that it’s also responsible for melasma (patchy hyperpigmentation). Androgen hormones, along with others significantly rising, can also cause acne. Not only during pregnancy, but after, the significant plummet in hormones results in even more changes for your skin. 

If you haven’t already, treat your skin like a prized possession. I hope this can help you and transform your life! Remember, cleanse and exfoliate diligently, wear a free-radical fighting serum, wear sunscreen daily and use high quality skin products.

Photo by Robert Bejil Productions via Flickr Image altered

Photo by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer via Flickr Image altered