In your 30s, you should absolutely be using a retinol. Retinol is the ultimate anti-aging product, as it helps even skin tone, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and increases firmness! Apply a pea-sized amount to clean, dry skin every other night.
In your 30s, you can start by using over-the-counter retinol like the RoC serum once or twice a week, gradually building up to three or four nights a week. "Once you have been using it for six to nine months, you can transition into a prescription retinoid," says Rouleau.
There are no set rules on how old you should be to use retinol. For anti-aging purposes, you can start preventatively in your 20s. While over-the-counter retinol can help mild acne, many people with breakouts will need a prescription.
Your 30s are a time when you may need to start using products that target wrinkles and fine lines. Be sure to use a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and eye cream, as well as an anti-aging serum or night cream as needed.
Generally speaking, I recommend most people start using retinol in their mid to late-20s, anywhere from 25-30. This is when collagen and elastin production starts to slow down, so it's the perfect time to start reaping the preventative-aging benefits retinol has to offer.
The truth is that even if you're in your twenties, you're not too young for retinol. Age just doesn't matter. Because it's not only for anti-aging, but it also works for acne. Retinol, and prescription retinoids, are commonly used for getting rid of breakouts—especially in teenagers.
Just keep in mind that your age affects what treatments are most effective for you. While people in their 20s and 30s might benefit from sun protection and light serums, those in their 40s may reach for a retinol. However, more mature women might benefit from in-office cosmetic dermatology treatments.
“This will make your skin look older and accentuate wrinkles” — which is probably not what you're going for when you start using the stuff. And there's no question that retinol makes your skin more sensitive to the sun.
If you talk to a dermatologist or any skin expert, they will tell you it is never too late to start a skincare routine. It does not matter how old you are because you will see benefits regardless of your age. The key is to ensure that you stick to your routine every day.
Retinoids reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen. They also stimulate the production of new blood vessels in the skin, which improves skin color. Additional benefits include fading age spots and softening rough patches of skin.
Even if you've never taken care of your skin, it's not too late to start. Your skin begins to age when you are only in your mid-20s, though you may not see it. Your favorite products may not work as well anymore. Your genes, daily habits, and the sun cause these changes.
When it comes to skin aging, there's not much we can do to completely stop the process. Signs of aging like wrinkles and spots are the results of the accumulation of defects in cells and intracellular structures. Experts have found that skin aging typically starts around age 25.
For Caucasian women, it's typically around the late 30s. "This is when fine lines on the forehead and around the eyes, less-elastic skin, and brown spots and broken capillaries from accumulated sun damage crop up," says Yagoda. If you're a woman of color, the tipping point is more likely in your 40s.
Forehead wrinkles at 30
Wrinkles, especially fine lines, in your 30s are not unheard of. But, you're still a spring chicken in terms of skin aging. Toward your mid to late thirties, you might start seeing fine lines more than before. But, if you have deep wrinkles in your 30s they could have been caused by sun damage.
Because our body cell turnover slows down as we age, we no longer have such a healthy shedding cycle. As a result, the dead skin cells sit on top of our epidermis longer than before and trigger acne, clogging and obstructing our pores with dead skin. This results in an increase in bacteria, and acne flare-ups.
Using any form of retinol makes your skin more prone to sunburn. Sun damage combined with retinol burn is a recipe for redness or discoloration, inflammation, and more.
Who should skip retinol? “Retinols can be a beneficial addition for most skin types, but it isn't a one-size-fits-all approach,” Panzica says. Board certified dermatologist Zenovia Gabriel, MD, notes that “people with sensitive skin conditions like rosacea cannot tolerate really strong topicals like retinols.”
Retinol is best applied at night since it can increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun. When you do go outside, be sure to use sunscreen to protect your face. It's worth noting that you don't need to use retinol on a daily basis for it to effectively treat your acne. Even two to three times per week might be enough.
Do the results last if you stop using retinol? Yes, but most dermatologists say you'll want to resume using it for optimal results. "Retinols help turn back the clock. If you have to stop them (for example while pregnant), your skin is still better from the time you were using them," explains Dr.