Hi guys,

I'm looking for the best skincare regime for women in their early 30's. I've done some research online and found some great answers but no specific products.

Models - what do you use?

I'm currently 30 years old and very, very "into" skincare. I've done a lot of research as well, and I've talked to a lot of other women about what has worked for them. Here are the main points I've learned:

1. Have a consistent routine. I can tell the difference my skin when I miss my routine due to illness for a couple days.

2. I saw the biggest positive change in my skin when I switched to more natural skincare, most of which cannot be bought at the drugstore. Beware of labels and brands that claim to be "green" or natural, but the ingredients don't always back it up. It's called "green-washing" (making things look natural when they're not). I buy the vast majority of my skincare on Etsy. A couple more affordable, but still natural brands I like are Erzulie Cosmetics, Bear's Beauty, and Chikyu.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ErzulieCosmetics (I use the liquid foundation for natural makeup looks and own a ton of her makeup items)
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BearsBeauty (the cleansing balm is amazing!)
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Chikyu (the Vita Plus eye cream has pretty much erased the fine lines around my eyes as long as I use it twice a day, the balanced skin toner and face polish are great too, as was the sample of nighttime moisturizer I tried)

3. Always, always fully remove your makeup before bed. The easiest, gentlest way I've found to do this is via two step cleansing. I use a cleansing oil or cleansing balm on my face, massaging it into the makeup, which loosens the makeup, including waterproof makeup. In the case of heavy foundation, I might wipe the oil/balm off and use it again to make sure everything is gone. Then I follow it with a gentle cleanser (lately some all natural facial bars from Etsy).

Most of the other makeup removers I've tried left me scrubbing at my eyes, the oil is way more effective and if it gets in your eye a bit, it doesn't sting (as long as it's only oil with nothing else). I also don't really like makeup wipes. I do carry them for switching up makeup between shoots or just to get the makeup off when I get home, then I cleanse later. But they don't do a very good job of removing all the makeup.

4. My moisturization routine is: non-drying toner (so nothing with alcohol, rose water is great or a toner similar to the ones from Chikyu above, Andalou Naturals has a nice one if you want a more "established" but affordable brand), eye cream, sometimes a serum, and then a good moisturizer. The thing about moisturizers is that you have to find one that works well for your skin. My skin isn't super sensitive or acne prone, but it doesn't like certain oils, while it drinks others up. I'd recommend trying a few samples. I usually use something a bit heavier at night.

5. I also try use at least an SPF 15 any time I leave the house. If I'm doing anything besides going from car to building, like a fair outdoors or to the zoo, I use an actual sunscreen on my face. There are tons of options and lots of tinted options, less greasy options, etc. Some of the tinted ones work just fine as foundation with a little powder over, just don't wear those for shoots as something they can be too reflective.

6. And then there are all the other tips like eating healthy, drinking water, etc.

As far as specifics for what I use right now:

AM
Splash my face with water, followed by Andalou Naturals Blossom & Leaf Toning Refresher: http://andalou.com/index.php/skin-care/ … esher.html
Apply a serum, I'm testing a few and you'd pick one based on your skin.
Gently pat Vita Plus Eye Cream under and beside my eyes: https://www.etsy.com/listing/209606029/ … crows-feet
Finally, if I'm staying in I'll apply a moisturizer, lately it's been this one by Bears Beauty: https://www.etsy.com/listing/206917769/ … ealoe-shea
If I'm putting on makeup, I'll use PureLips primer (which is a moisturizer and more natural, non-silicone primer in one): https://www.etsy.com/listing/222799411/ … ed-natural
Then I apply my makeup as normal.

PM
I put oil or cleansing balm directly on my face, no water. Right now it's either the cleansing balm from Bears Beauty: https://www.etsy.com/listing/206643118/ … ith-jojoba
OR the cleansing oil from Chikyu: https://www.etsy.com/listing/167409304/ … -cleansing
Then I apply an all natural facial bar to either a flannel cloth or a konjac sponge and massage that into my skin gently, and rinse away.
Sometimes I use a scrub or a mask, maybe a scrub once a week, and a mask once a week. Some people do more. Mostly I just move on to the next step.
Followed by the Andalou toner
Maybe a serum.
Vita Plus Eye Cream from Chikyu
And a moisturizer, right now Bear's Beauty Cold Cream: https://www.etsy.com/listing/180451177/ … face-cream

Sorry for such a long response, but this is a topic I love and I hope this is helpful. And keep in mind that the brands I gave are just some suggestions that I've liked. There are plenty of great brands out there, I just know those are affordable and have samples available. The owners of Bear's Beauty and Erzulie are both great about making suggestions based on your skin and Chikyu has great descriptions to help guide you.

I just drink lots of water.

Nothing really. I put plain coconut oil on my face twice daily, and generally just wash with water.

If I wear makeup and need to remove it, I have a homemade, oil-based soap. It is so oil-heavy that it leaves a silky shea butter residue on my face that gradually absorbs into the skin.

If my skin is feeling sort of like it needs to be exfoliated, I drench it with olive oil and use plain sugar as a scrub, then rinse the sugar off with hot water. Again, it leaves a nice oily softness behind.

Stay out of the sun, don't smoke, get plenty of rest, don't wear makeup unless you feel like you have to, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol, etc. In my 30's I sold cosmetics at a department store. I loved most of the products, the line was Clarins, from France. Most of what I use now is cheaper because I have 2 children to raise. I like the brand Simple. My skin can be sensitive and this line doesn't have a lot of stuff you don't need like perfumes, dyes and parabens. Baby your skin too. Don't rub, pat things on, especially in the eye area. I am always told how much younger I look compared to other women and it's not all luck and genetics.

I wash my face with ivory soap and water, almost never wear makeup, drink lots of water, and mostly stay out of the sun.

I'm ok, I think.

I don't smoke, and don't drink much. Rarely wear makeup, but that's mostly because I'm lazy.

Yeah, I don't smoke or drink (never have done either). I wished I'd stayed out of the sun or been more diligent about sunscreen in my teens and very early twenties, but now I'm very careful about it.

And I'd agree with this post too:

Koryn wrote:
Nothing really. I put plain coconut oil on my face twice daily, and generally just wash with water.

If I wear makeup and need to remove it, I have a homemade, oil-based soap. It is so oil-heavy that it leaves a silky shea butter residue on my face that gradually absorbs into the skin.

If my skin is feeling sort of like it needs to be exfoliated, I drench it with olive oil and use plain sugar as a scrub, then rinse the sugar off with hot water. Again, it leaves a nice oily softness behind.

I'm a beauty blogger so I buy products to review and am also sent some (don't worry, I don't earn commission or anything on any of the brands I mentioned, I just like them). But I've had good luck with coconut oil and other oils as moisturizers and DIY sugar scrubs are pretty good, too.

My current regime is soap and water. But I have greasy, spot-prone skin and I have yet to find any kind of skincare product that doesn't do more harm than good. It's a work in progress.