Consider this a message from your future self: Take care of your skin now, while you’re still in your 30s. It’s one of the best beauty investments you’ll ever make.
At Balcones Dermatology, we believe in enhancing and preserving your unique beauty, and the earlier you start, the better. During your 20s, your skin is in the pink of health — youthful and vibrant and requiring minimal care to stay that way. As you enter your 30s, your skin still looks great, but the forces of aging are beginning to stir underneath, even leading to the first appearances of fine lines and wrinkles.
To help you fight back, we’ve outlined the five most important things you can do now to preserve your youthful skin, keeping the forces of aging at bay.
Your skin is specifically designed to provide a barrier between you and the elements, and that’s no small task. Sunscreen is the most basic of tools.
The sun’s UV rays are one of the biggest threats to your skin and the No. 1 driver of premature aging. Exposure to the sun irreparably damages the cells and fibers in your skin responsible for its tone and elasticity, namely your elastin. As your elastin breaks down, your skin begins to wrinkle and sag.
While this breakdown may not be evident while you’re in your 30s, it’s a matter of when, not if, that your skin’s outward appearance will fall victim.
Luckily, there are two very simple measures you can take: Wear sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and cover up. Sunscreen is an extremely effective way to block UV rays, allowing you to still enjoy the outdoors, but remember that it doesn’t provide 100% protection. The best way to achieve that is to cover your skin with UV-blocking clothes, capping it all off with a hat to shield your face.
Because we live in Austin, where there’s ample sun year-round, put these efforts into practice during every season.
No matter what age you are, drinking plenty of water delivers nothing but benefits for your skin, especially in a dry climate like Austin’s. From improving circulation to flushing out toxins, water provides that youthful glow. So keep refueling with at least eight glasses of water, eight times a day.
To tackle hydration from the outside, use a good moisturizer daily. If you have normal skin, a water-based moisturizer usually does the trick, but if you have dry skin, try an oil-based one to ramp up the moisturizing effect and lock it in.
Another great tip is to apply your moisturizer after your shower to seal in the moisture.
One of the best ways to maintain your youthful skin is to eat foods that are full of antioxidants. In a classic struggle of good versus evil, antioxidants fight off free radicals, which are marauding molecules that, left unchecked, destroy the cells in your skin.
The best way to supply your body with the necessary antioxidants is to add more super foods to your diet. These super foods, which are largely fruits and vegetables, have higher concentrates of antioxidants, and they’re great-tasting, too. To get the best bang for your antioxidant buck, start by adding blueberries, cranberries, pecans, beans, and artichokes to your diet.
Your skin is constantly renewing itself, shedding old cells to make way for new ones. As you age, this process begins to slow, even in your 30s. You can provide a little outside boost with a good exfoliation routine — the trick is to not overdo it.
To achieve a deeper exfoliation, try using an exfoliating acid, such as glycolic, lactic, or salicylic, but only every other day (preferably at night to allow your skin to rejuvenate while you sleep). If you scrub away at your skin every day without giving it time to rest and repair in between, you may cause more harm than good.
At Balcones Dermatology, we offer several facial treatments, such as light chemical peels and laser therapies, that work with your body to renew and refresh your skin. These minimally invasive skin care techniques promote new collagen production and skin cell growth, leaving you with improved elasticity and tone. By starting these treatments in your 30s, you can fight off the effects of aging right from the start.
To learn more about the best way to protect your skin in your 30s and beyond, call Balcones Dermatology, or use the online booking to schedule a consultation.
