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 2000sand 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 your skin in this new phase of life.
So if you haven’t updated your regimen since before Beyoncé released Lemonade, 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 favorite online retailers to pinpoint 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: 5/5. 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 esthetician) method of cleansing my face: cleanse my face first and then wipe with two wet gauze pads,” one savvy 30-something said in her Dermstore review. “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 an oil-based cleanser first and 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 SpaceNK shopper.
Average rating: 4.2/5. The thing about acne is that it has a funny way of showing up, even years after you’d think it could finally be considered a non-issue. This salicylic acid–packed cleanser is great for tackling breakouts at any age, including your 30s. “This product has been a game changer. Completely. The Effaclar medicated gel cleanser has worked better for my adult onset cystic acne than any other product I’ve tried on the market,” one Amazon reviewer wrote.
Average rating: 5/5. The name of the game at this stage is detoxifying. After years of putting our skin through makeup, environmental pollutants, and other pore-clogging mayhem, masks can help create clarity in tone and texture. This one by Eminence is chock-full of skin-loving ingredients that gently remove dead skin cells and impurities. “When I turned 30, I suddenly gained a giant dark spot on my forehead. Luckily, I found this product,” a Dermstore customer wrote. “Every time I use it, the spot diminishes. Highly recommended!”
Average rating: 4.8/5. Here’s another mask you’ll want to add to your arsenal. Its cool, tingly feel lets you know the black tea complex, smoothing polysaccharides, and ultra-moisturizing 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 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,” on 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 Nordstrom reviewer 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: 4.5/5 . Don’t let the price tag fool you. This budget-friendly retinoid is highly effective. So many reviewers called it a “holy-grail” skincare item, the “best product ever,” and a “game changer” that I struggled to pick just one review to share here. “Lines have diminished, the hyperpigmentation that snuck in during both of my pregnancies is noticeably fading, and my face is GLOWING,” A Sephora reviewer exclaimed. “At 31 I’ve tried a ton of different skincare brands/products because I am serious about my skin. This has exceeded all my expectations!”
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 bouncier, respectively. “My oily areas after 30 became an oil-slick,” one First Aid Beauty customer said. “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 moisturizing for anti-aging 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 Bloomingdale’s shopper shared, “I have a combination skin type and I am 32: my skin gets oily in T-zones and normal in other zones. I also have a bit of 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 might cream ultra gentle and moisturizing. Also, you can’t beat that price. “I am 30…I had dry skin in yucky patches, red blotches, black heads, uneven skin tone….everything in the book that no one wants,” one Walgreens 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: 4.4/5. If there are two words in skincare that really get us excited, they’re “cooling” and “brightening.” This balm is so necessary for tackling the fine lines that might be appearing around those wise eyes. “I’m in my mid 30s and sometimes I’ll swipe this under my eyes, tap it in, and my cheekbones,” one Ulta shopper explained. “It brightens up my skin just enough if I don’t feel like wearing any makeup.”
Average rating: 4.7/5. This cream is a multitasker. 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 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: 4.7/5. Squalane is one of those buzzy ingredients everyone has heard of but may not exactly be sure what it is or does. Let us break it down: It’s essentially the hydrogenated version of squalene, a fatty molecule the body produces to minimize moisture loss. The thing is, our bodies’ production of this emollient dramatically declines starting in our 20s, so by the time we’re in our 30s, it’s more important than ever to replenish it in our skin, especially the ultra-delicate skin around the eyes. As one Biossance customer put it, “It really does provide a nice canvas for concealer and makes the eye area look more smooth and hydrated upon first use, lasting throughout the day.”
Average rating: 4.3/5. If you’re still debating whether or not you need to be using sunscreen, let us clear it up for you: The answer is a resounding yes. At this stage (and pretty much every stage of life), sun protection is a must. This mineral one from EltaMD is widely regarded as one of the very best facial sunscreens on the market. One enthusiastic Amazon purchaser wrote, “I prefer physical blockers but they never mesh with my makeup, make me so greasy (and I’m already oily/combo), or leave a ghostly white cast on my deep brown skin. This absorbs easily, has no strong fragrance, plays well with makeup and moisturizer, is still effective is Houston summer heat and humidity, and doesn’t trigger my adult acne.”
Average rating: 4.5/5. Here’s another 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. One reviewer exclaimed, “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!”
Average rating: 4.5/5. Quality sunscreen doesn’t have to cost a ton of money, and it also doesn’t have to remain visible on your face. Reviewers of this one by CeraVe agree that it absorbs well and even acts as a good primer underneath makeup. “Best zinc oxide sunscreen I’ve used yet for my face and I’ve tried several,” said one Amazon reviewer. “I mix a small amount of tinted foundation in with the sunscreen and no white cast.” Next up: 11 Skincare Brands French Girls Never Stray From. This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.
