Trust Me, You Need These Anti-Aging Products In Your 30s

I hate to admit it, but what they say about aging is hella true: Once you hit your 30s, everything starts to go downhill. While I’ve had an incredibly life-changing year filled with joy and gratitude after turning 30, one of the shockers was how much my body changed the moment I entered my next decade. The biggest culprit? That I had to use anti-aging products in my 30s.

Tailoring a skincare routine in your 30s can seem daunting. Do you need to wear eye cream? What about retinol? And don’t even get me started on collagen serums. The good news? I already did the legwork to create my own routine for people older than 29. The better news? I decided to share with y’all today. After all, that’s how I spread the love.

Anti-Aging Products In Your 30s

Why Using Anti-Aging Products Is Important In Your 30s

It wasn’t until I turned 30 that the cellulite on my legs started to really make an appearance, the grays came in full force, and my crow’s feet grew deeper and deeper. While I’m trying not to stress about the aging process, it’s certainly strange to see your body go through so many changes once you enter a new decade. 

Truthfully, I couldn’t be happier to have entered my 30s. Changing out my skin care products to incorporate more anti-aging products has been part of the process. Below, you’ll find 30 anti-aging products that I love to use to help hydrate skin (this is really important with aging skin), treat dark spots, protect against environmental toxins, and of course, minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, too.  

Before I get into the anti-aging products to use in your 30s, let’s talk a bit about how to prevent signs of aging in the first place. (Also, consider this your friendly reminder that you can use all the anti-aging products in the world, but your skin will still look dull unless you stay hydrated and drink plenty of water.)

How to Prevent Aging Skin in Your 30s

Obviously, there’s only so much you can do to prevent your skin from aging. Don’t forget that it’s a blessing to be able to age. That being said, there are things you can do to slow down the aging process.

Stay hydrated always

You wanna know the easiest way to look older? Stay chronically dehydrated. When your body is dehydrated, your skin basically shrivels up from lack of water and your fine lines and wrinkles are more visible. And yes, that was my very unscientific way of describing dehydration. Again, make sure you drink a ton of water daily to keep your skin supple.

Use a retinol

This all-star ingredient is the gold standard in terms of anti-aging. Consider incorporating a retinol into your skincare routine to minimize the appearance of wrinkles and sun damage.

Focus on moisture

Like I said previously, dehydrated skin will make you look older. Keeping your skin hydrated internally and externally is important in looking more youthful. I have dry skin, and have tried many, many hydrating skincare products. Below, I’ve included the best of the best moisturizing skincare products that will get you glowing in no time.

Alright, now it’s about that time: let’s delve into the best anti-aging products to use in your 30s.

The 30 Best Anti-Aging Products in Your 30s

Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro

Yes, this beauty tool is expensive. And yes, I did receive it as a gift for editorial consideration from that brand. That being said, I would totally spend my hard-earned cash on this baby, as I think it’s worth it. There are so many studies that back up the effectiveness of LED light therapy for anti-aging. This pick uses red and blue light to help fight signs of aging, inflammation, redness, and acne, too.   

View at Dr. Dennis Gross ($455)

Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream

I tried this face cream for the first time this past year and fell in love. It’s such a great formula to boost skin health and protect your moisture barrier. It’s so rich, creamy, and luxurious, and doesn’t irritate my skin at all. I think it’s a great option for those with aging, dry skin in need of extra moisture. It contains peptides, lipids, and hyaluronic acid for an ingredient list that’s sure to be a skin winner. 

View at Skinfix ($54)

Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado

I have very sensitive skin, including the area around my eyes. Most eye creams irritate the thin skin around my eyes, but not this pick from Kiehl’s. This pick has a rather thin consistency and feels more watery than creamy. I appreciate the light feeling and think it does a nice job of hydrating my eye area. I wouldn’t say that this does much for undereye circles, but it does help with fine lines and wrinkles. 

View at Sephora ($37)

Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil

If you’re sensitive to heavy face oils like me, consider trying this one from Biossance. It’s made from squalane, an ingredient derived from sugarcane, and is a very non-irritating oil. Plus, I love that it absorbs quickly. The vitamin C in this pick is an oil-soluble, stable form of vitamin C that works to visibly brighten the skin. And that’s what makes this one of the best anti-aging products to use in your 30s.

View at Biossance ($74)

PCA Skin Retinol Treatment for Sensitive Skin

I don’t use retinol on my skin very often because it’s so sensitive, but I like this pick from PCA Skin. It’s formulated specifically for sensitive skin, and gently encourages skin cell turnover to minimize the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. 

View at Amazon ($118)

Paula’s Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant

Paula’s biggest best-seller, the 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant is formulated with acids to help unclog pores, promote skin cell turnover, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. I like to use it once a day at night, right before applying my moisturizer.  

View at Paula’s Choice ($35)

Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly

My skin type is pretty dry, and I notice that when my skin is more hydrated, my fine lines are significantly less pronounced. Recently, I’ve been slugging my skin using Vaseline. At night, I like to wash my face, apply a serum, then apply my night cream, and top everything off with a little bit of Vaseline. I always wake up with noticeably hydrated, super soft, healthy skin.  

View at Amazon ($20 for 2-pack)

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic 

It doesn’t get more iconic than this bottle. The SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum is a potent antioxidant vitamin C serum that delivers vitamin C into the deep layers of the skin. Not only will this serum help treat wrinkles and fine lines, but it will also make skin appear brighter and minimize discoloration. 

View at Dermstore ($182)

Doctor Rogers Restore Face Cream

This is another great face cream that does an incredible job of hydrating dry skin. It’s thick, luxurious, creamy, and I love that it’s fragrance-free and never irritates my skin. It works for any skin type and skin tone.

View at Credo Beauty ($78)

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel

Have you ever gotten a chemical peel? These are like the less abrasive, less intense version of a peel. I don’t use these super often, but I do find they work well as a light exfoliant before serums and moisturizers. The AHAs work to gently exfoliate the skin and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, hyaluronic acid and green tea extract hydrate and soothe irritated skin. 

View at Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare ($92)

TheraFace PRO 

I was gifted this device this past year, and I love how versatile it is. You can use the three percussive attachments to massage your face along with the three LED lights to treat wrinkles and acne. Plus, it comes with a microcurrent ring to firm and tighten the skin, and a cleansing ring to wash away dirt and debris at the end of the day.  

View at Amazon ($400)

Fresh Rose Face Mask

Some might not love the smell of this, but I can’t get enough of roses. This face mask from Fresh features real rose petals inside a cooling, soothing gel formula to calm irritated skin. I like how smooth and plump my skin feels after using this mask. 

View at Sephora ($27)

PCA Skin Revitalizing Mask

This mask uses papaya enzymes to gently exfoliate the skin. It’ll leave your face feeling super soft, smooth, and supple, too. Honey and vitamin E work to lightly hydrate your skin while the green tea extract helps fight against environmental stress. 

View at Amazon ($58)

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50

Ask any dermatologist, and they will tell you that sunscreen is the #1 anti-aging product on the market. Not only will it protect your skin from UV rays, but it might also prevent you from developing skin cancer on your face. This pick from La Roche-Posay was formulated specifically for sensitive skin. It has a nice, light tint to it and is fragrance-free, too. 

View at Ulta ($39)

Avene XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil

This is a great cleansing oil to help remove makeup, dirt, and debris from your face after a long day. Because it’s a cleansing oil, it won’t strip your skin of the much-needed, natural oils your skin already produces. 

View at Avene ($34)

Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Replenishing Moisturizer

I love, love, love this moisturizer! Especially in the wintertime. It’s very thick and creamy, and feels incredibly silky and soft on the skin. It’s great for those folks with really dry skin and need extra moisture. Remember, the more moisture your skin retains, the less wrinkles or fine lines will appear. 

View at Paula’s Choice ($35)

Avène A-OXitive Antioxidant Defense Serum 

One of the biggest factors that contributes to premature aging is environmental stress (think pollution). This serum contains vitamins E and C to not only fight free radical damage and minimize fine lines but also treat dehydrated skin. 

View at Avene ($50)

CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30

It doesn’t get more classic (and affordable) than CeraVe. I like this lotion because it’s bare-bones, won’t irritate your skin, and offers the perfect amount of SPF for everyday wear. If you don’t know, sunscreen of any kind is one of the best anti-aging products to use in your 30s.

View at Amazon ($20)

Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum

Aging skin is normally pretty dehydrated, and drenching your face in moisture is key. Enter, the Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum. This pick contains a high level of hyaluronic acid to plump the skin underneath your moisturizer. 

View at Amazon ($30)

Cerave Skin Renewing Retinol Serum 

As you probably already know, retinol is the gold standard for anti-aging in the world of dermatology. This pick from CeraVe combines retinol with ceramides to help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while also hydrating the skin. You won’t need to worry about a drying retinol with this one. 

View at Ulta ($25)

Paula’s Choice RESIST Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30

Another great defender against the sun, this moisturizer from Paula’s Choice combines zinc oxide and antioxidants to prevent accelerated aging. 

View at Paula’s Choice ($38)

Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Eye Masks

When I turned 30, I noticed the bags under my eyes for the first time. Aging is wild, and what I once never considered adding to my skincare routine is now a staple. I love these eye masks because they are super hydrating and help lessen the appearance of my crow’s feet. Plus, they feel cooling, soothing, and fancy on my under-eye area. 

View at Sephora ($26)

Fresh Soy Hydrating Face Wash

A classic, this pick from Fresh is a fan favorite among many. It’s gentle, won’t strip your skin, and helps maintain your skin’s natural pH levels (super important if you have sensitive skin). 

View at Sephora ($39)

Paula’s Choice BOOST Hyaluronic Acid Booster 

I like to use this booster on days when my skin needs some extra TLC. You can use it mixed in with your moisturizer, with your foundation, or by itself! The choice is yours. 

View at Paula’s Choice ($39)

La Roche-Posay Hydrating Cleanser

Another great bestseller from La Roche-Posay, this hydrating cleanser won’t irritate skin and also won’t further dry out aging skin, either.  

View at Ulta ($19)

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Wild Oat Hydrating Toner

I don’t use toners very often, but I love using this pick when my skin is super dry in the wintertime. To me, this formula feels more like an essence than a toner (it’s thick), and does a fantastic job at hydrating skin before moisturizing. 

View at Ulta ($24)

Avène RetrinAL Eyes Cream

I trust Avène with my sensitive skin, and when it comes to my eye area, I have to be extra careful. Enter, the Avène RetrinAL Eyes Cream. This pick contains active ingredients like retinaldehyde, hyaluronic acid, and Avène thermal water to help diminish the appearance of wrinkles, dark circles, and general puffiness. 

View at Avene ($50)

Nécessaire The Neck Serum

Don’t neglect your neck! Unfortunately, the neck area shows some of the first signs of aging. It’s important to take care of it as early as possible.  

View at Sephora ($65)

Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream

It doesn’t get more gentle than Vanicream. This pick is free of just about everything and does a great job of hydrating dry, aging skin. 

View at Amazon ($14)

When Should You Start Using Anti-Aging Products?

Other than sunscreen, which is the No. 1 anti-aging product in the world, you should start using anti-aging skincare products (like retinol) in your 20s. Though many people start using anti-aging products to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, it’s better to start an anti-aging routine before you see these signs.

That’s because the goal of a good anti-aging skincare routine is to prevent wrinkles, not to make them go away once they’ve already arrived. After all, you can’t go back in time—but you can help slow the signs of aging.

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