How To Take Care Of Your Skin In Your Thirties

Dr Alek Nikolic Reveals The Best Skin Care Regime For Your Thirties

OK so you have left your twenties with a bang and now you feel more mature and you may be thinking of settling down. Or not! But youth is still on your side and your skin still looks fabulous but there may be some minor flaws. It is still not too late to begin an expert skin care regime that will bring back the glow of your twenties. Follow my advice on a tailor made skin care regime for your thirties to get the best skin care results with the best skin care ingredients that science has to offer.

In your 30s discoloration caused by sun damage or melasma (aka the mask of pregnancy that can also be caused by birth control), and fine lines are likely to be two of your biggest skin challenges. At this point, you need to start exfoliating regularly because skin only exfoliates naturally every 35 days as opposed to every 14 in your 20’s.

Exfoliation has been given a bad name over the years but when done correctly with the appropriate exfoliators amazing results can be achieved. Read more on How To Exfoliate Your Skin.
Your ideal skin care regimen: 

To make it as easy as possible I have placed the skin care regime steps in a table format that can be copied and pasted for quick reference at the very end of the article.

Step 1: Cleanse: Clean Skin is Healthy Skin

A.M. & P.M. Application

Women in their 30s need a cleanser that does a little more than the ones you used in your 20s. I recommend either a PHA based (polyhydroxy acid) or a BHA based (salicylic acid) cleanser.  We are looking for a formula that removes makeup and lightly exfoliates the skin (removing the dead outer layer and improving the glow of one’s skin) and reduces inflammation.

Dr Alek Nikolic Recommends:

Sensitive Skin: NEOSTRATA FACIAL CLEANSER (R380.00) or EXUVIANCE PURIFYING CLEANSING GEL (R335.00) or EXUVIANCE GENTLE CLEANSING CRÈME (R425.00) or OBAGI NUDERM GENTLE CLEANSER (R540.00)

Oily and Acne Prone Skin: DERMAQUEST DERMACLEAR BHA CLEANSER (R550.00) or DERMAQUEST DERMACLEAR CLEANSER (R550.00) or EXUVIANCE CLARIFYING FACIAL CLEANSER (R400.00) or NEOSTRATA CLARIFYING FACIAL CLEANSER (R452.00)

Combination Skin: DERMAQUEST DERMACLEAR BHA CLEANSER (R550.00) or EXUVIANCE CLARIFYING FACIAL CLEANSER (R400.00)

Normal Skin: NEOSTRATA SKIN ACTIVE EXFOLIATING WASH (R540.00) or DERMACEUTIC ADVANCED CLEANSER (R550.00) or DERMACEUTIC FOAMER 5 (R550.00)

Dry Skin: SKINCEUTICALS GENTLE CLEANSER (R660.00) or NEOSTRATA SKIN ACTIVE EXFOLIATING WASH (R540.00) or EXUVIANCE GENTLE CLEANSING CRÈME (R420.00)

Step 2: Anti-Oxidants: Repair and Protect

A.M. & P.M. Application

For day, before applying sunscreen, use an antioxidant-rich moisturiser, serum or lotion. here is evidence that antioxidants act synergistically with sunblock to help guard against photo damage. Even better they may also be able to undo some of the damage that’s already been done. Read more on anti-oxidants here: How Antioxidants Work and Adding Anti-Oxidants To Your Skin Care Regime

Dr Alek Nikolic recommends:

EXUVIANCE ANTIOXIDANT SERUM PERFECT 10 (R780.00)

NEOSTRATA SKIN ACTIVE ANTIOXIDANT DEFENSE SERUM (R840.00)

DERMAQUEST NOURISHING PEPTIDE CREAM (R1,190.00)

SKINCEUTICALS RESVERATROL B E (R2,298.00)

SKINCEUTICALS CE FERULIC (R2,120.00)

SKINCEUTICALS PHLORETIN CF (R2,600.00)

Step 3: Sunscreen: Protect and Defend

A.M. Application

Sunscreen is vitally important and needs to be applied before leaving the house even if you work indoors all day. A good SPF is one that has a protection factor of 30 or higher and that contains zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. For these mineral based sunscreens that do not leave a white tinge or any oily after effect and still allows easy make up application please check the link here.

Dr Alek Nikolic Recommends:

Sensitive Skin: SKINCEUTICALS PHYSICAL FUSION UV DEFENSE SPF 50 (R598.00) or DERMACEUTIC SUN CEUTIC 50 (R520.00)

Oily and Acne Prone Skin: HELIOCARE SPF 30 SILK GEL (R362.00) or HELIOCARE 360 GEL OIL FREE (R433.00)

Combination Skin: HELIOCARE 360° AIRGEL (R508.00) or DERMACEUTIC SUN CEUTIC 50 (R520.00)

Normal Skin: SKINCEUTICALS SHEER PHYSICAL UV DEFENSE SPF 50 (R535.00) or DERMAQUEST SHEERZINC SPF 30 SUNKISSED (R795.00) or HELIOCARE ADVANCED GEL SPF 50 (R338.00)

Dry Skin: HELIOCARE 360° FLUID CREAM (R461.00) or HELIOCARE XF GEL SPF 50 (R369.00)

All In One: Moisturiser and SPF: DERMAQUEST ESSENTIAL SOLAR MOISTURIZER SPF30 (R895.00)

Step 4: Moisturiser: Plump that Skin

Moisturisers are only important for certain skin types and strangely enough not everyone needs one. If you feel your skin is dry or just lacks that something then follow the guidelines for each skin type below. One can also use the same moisturiser day and night to save buying extra products and reduce the budget spend.

Dr Alek Nikolic Recommends:

Sensitive Skin: NEOSTRATA BIONIC FACE CREAM (R593.00) or DERMACEUTIC REGEN CEUTIC (R670.00) or EXUVIANCE ULTRA RESTORATIVE CRÈME (R494.00)

Oily and Acne Prone Skin: NEOSTRATA FACE CREAM PLUS (R530.00) or NEOSTRATA OIL CONTROL GEL (R450.00) or NEOSTRATA OILY SKIN SOLUTION (R435.00) or DERMAQUEST ESSENTIAL B5 MOISTURE MATT (R1,195.00)

Combination Skin: DERMACEUTIC HYAL CEUTIC (R670.00)

Normal Skin: EXUVIANCE AGE REVERSE NIGHT LIFT (R980.00)

Dry Skin: NEOSTRATA ULTRA SMOOTHING CREAM (R413.00) or NEOSTRATA ULTRA MOISTURIZING FACE CREAM (R489.00) or NEOSTRATA BIO-HYDRATING CREAM (R454.00)

Step 5: My Must Have Ingredient: Retinol

P.M. Application

Add a retinoid to your regimen to help improve the overall texture and tone of your skin. The highest-strength retinoids are prescription only, but over-the-counter retinol is a close second. Everyone’s skin is different, so the strength you need will vary on an individual basis. Apply retinoids at night as retinol increases the skin’s sensitivity to the sun. Retinoids can be irritating on your eye area but I do recommend trying it out every 3^rd night so that the ski around the eye also gets the rejuvenating effect of retinol. See the benefits of retinol: Which Strength of Retinol Do I Need? And SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 Uses and Treatment Guidelines.
Dr Alek Nikolic Recommends:

Low-strength retinol products:

Depending on your skin type and/or concern, you can easily alternate them with our high-strength retinol products:

EXUVIANCE BLEMISH TREATMENT GEL

NEOSTRATA RENEWAL CREAM

LIFTACTIV ADVANCED FILLER  

These strengths of retinol are also ideal for combining with day time or evening moisturisers with retinol for those who wish to layer them with stronger targeted formulas, or for those who can’t tolerate higher concentrations of retinol. Day time retinol moisturisers:

EXUVIANCE AGE REVERSE DAY REPAIR SPF30

NEOSTRATA SKIN ACTIVE MATRIX SUPPORT SPF 30

Moderate-Strength Retinol Treatments: The Next Step

SkinMiles.Com offers a variety of retinol formulas in the moderate-strength range:

EXUVIANCE OPTILIGHT TONE CORRECTOR

NEOSTRATA PIGMENT CONTROLLER

SKINCEUTICALS RETINOL 0.3

High-Strength Retinol:

Strength 0.5%:

DERMACEUTIC ACTIV RETINOL 0.5

DERMACEUTIC SKIN AGING & PIGMENT SPOTS HOME KIT

DERMACEUTIC ACNE-PRONE SKIN HOME KIT

Strength: 1%

EXUVIANCE SUPER RETINOL CONCENTRATE

DERMACEUTIC ACTIV RETINOL 1.0

Step 6: Eye Cream (Optional) A.M. & P.M. Application

Use an eye cream both day and night to hydrate the skin around the eyes and increase suppleness and to stimulate collagen and elastin production. I am a firm believer that eye creams are not a necessity as your moisturiser will do fine for hydrating and stimulating this area. If you have the budget then adding an eye cream to your regime will be the cherry on top. Read more How to Find the Best Eye Cream

Dr Alek Nikolic Recommends:

• EXUVIANCE HYDRATING EYE COMPLEX: This ultra-light, hydrating eye cream smoothes and brightens the eye area and discourages signs of aging with a powerful complex of Polyhydroxy Acids; Formulated with Gluconolactone and Lactobionic Acid (PHAs), Provides antioxidant protection, Contains Pro-Vitamins A, C, and E, Hydrates with a soothing blend of botanicals.Price: R 390.00
• NEOSTRATA EYE CREAM:NeoStrata Eye Cream effectively strengthens the skin around the eye to make it less vulnerable to irritants, with the inclusion of Gluconolactone to help reinforce the skin’s protective barrier. Hyaluronic acid works to reduce dryness, and create and retain a light shield of moisture. Green tea and evening primrose and avocado oils soothe the skin in this fragrance-free, dye-free, hypoallergenic eye cream, suitable for all skin types. Price: R 440.00
• NEOSTRATA BIONIC EYE CREAM PLUS:Vitamin K helps to strengthen leaky capillaries that contribute to the dark circles. Lactobionic acid is a potent antioxidant that helps prevent collagen breakdown and builds the skin’s matrix, smoothing lines from the inside so your skin appears firmer and less puffy. Green tea and cucumber extracts reduce puffiness and soothe the eye area. This fragrance-free and dye-free formulation is fully ophthalmologist tested. Price: R 609.00
• OBAGI ELASTIDERM EYE SERUM 14 ML:A bi-mineral complex helps to promote healthy collagen and elastin production while minimizing fine lines and fading the look of dark circles. The formula also contains caffeine to help alleviate under-eye puffiness and malonic acid to help exfoliate dulling dead skin cells. Strengthens fragile skin and Contains malonic acid to stimulate cell turnover. Price: R 718.00
• DERMAQUEST C INFUSION EYE CREAM:Specifically developed with Orange Stem Cells and Hyaluronic Acid Filling Spheres™, deeply hydrates and improves skin’s lustre. The revitalizing effects of Eyeliss™ and Matrixyl™ reduce dark circles and increase circulation to the delicate skin under the eye. Price: R 990.00
• NEOSTRATA SKIN ACTIVE INTENSIVE EYE THERAPY:Apple Stem Cell Extract protects the longevity of skin’s own stem cells so that your skin behaves like younger skin. Peptides stimulate matrix components to produce more collagen, and together with patented NeoGlucosamine®, reinforce collagen’s surrounding support structure. Price: R 1,007.00
• DERMAQUEST STEM CELL 3D EYELIFT:Boosts collagen and elasticity to strengthen skin, Firms and lifts, Hydrates and increases moisture retention, Protects against free radical damage.  Price: R 1,295.00

To make it as easy as possible I have placed the above steps in a table format that can be copied and pasted for quick reference below.

I hope you found the article informative and helpful in starting an effective skin care regime in your thirties.

Please feel free to send me any comments or questions you may have regarding your skin concerns or skin care regimes.

Kind regards

Dr Alek Nikolic

FOR ALL SKIN TYPES