Affordable 30s Skincare Routine

As a woman in her 30s who loves skincare I have accepted that it is time to get serious about my affordable 30s skincare routine.  If you’re like me and have been religiously cleansing, acid toning and moisturising then you might feel a little overwhelmed that your skincare routine is now going to increase in price and steps. But have no fear, because the products that you’ll be adding do not need to be expensive in order to be effective. Of course, if you have the budget, then go nuts if you want, I won’t stop you 😉

The most important products to add to your affordable 30s skincare routine are retinoids, vitamin C and SPF (which you should already be using). This post will discuss the order to apply your skincare and some information on what makes these ingredients great additions to your affordable 30s skincare routine. All products mentioned are between £12 – £35 and can be bought online or in store.

If you want to read more about the importance of using acid toners, acid peels and over the counter retinoids you can read about them here: Affordable Serums, Toners and Peels. I discuss the products I have tested and highly recommend as well as the benefits of using acids in your affordable skincare routine. Let’s get the basic products out of the way first…

Face Wash – Step one if make-up/SPF free and Step two when double cleansing

That bar of soap that you use to wash your hands should be no where near your face, beloved. A gentle sulfate-free face wash that cleanses your skin without stripping it is a must. My favourite affordable cleanser is by Super Facialist and it’s part of their salicylic range. The Super Facialist Salicylic Acid Purifying Cleansing Wash is a sulfate-free face wash that utilises salicylic acid to deep cleanse your skin. You’ll notice that salicylic acid is in a lot of skincare products as it is a gentle chemical exfoliant meaning it encourages removal of dead skin cells, deep cleanses your pores and helps to keep blemishes at bay.

So, when buying a new cleanser, if you have problem skin or just want to keep your skin blemish free, a cleanser with salicylic acid is a great addition to your affordable 30s skincare routine. Your cleanser doesn’t have to be super expensive in order to be effective. This one is a favourite of mine because after using it my skin does not feel dry or tight (a sign the cleanser is too harsh) and my skin is left feeling clean. At only £9 a tube, it’s super affordable too. Tips: avoid sulfates and anything ”foaming”.

Cleansing Balms – Step one if you wore makeup/SPF/left your house

If you wear makeup and are a good egg and wear your SPF daily (if you’re not wearing SPF everyday, you need a bop) then you should be double-cleansing your skin before bed. Sunscreen and makeup when not removed properly will clog your pores and before you know it you’re cussing that SPF and makeup is breaking you out. Nope, you’re not removing it properly and don’t even think of relying on makeup wipes. Your skin deserves a nice balmy or oily cleanser designed to break down sunscreen and makeup *before* you go in and use your dedicated face wash.

The Body Shop’s Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter and Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil are both designed to remove makeup and SPF before cleansing. Of course you can use any cleaning oil or balm that takes your fancy. I guarantee when you use an oil or cleansing butter with a flannel and then cleanse afterwards you will not see makeup on the cotton pad when acid toning. Using a thick white flannel aids in makeup and sunscreen removal so pick up some of those. Wilkos and Home Bargains sell them as cheap as 50p per flannel. They’re more efficient than using your hands to remove makeup and sunscreen. Apply the oil or balm to your dry face and work it in well (don’t forget your neck). Then add a little water and it will turn into a milk and use your soaked flannel to remove. It’s like giving yourself a mini facial and  your pillow cases will thank you.

Acid Toners – Step three

When you hear ”acid” I want you to think ”exfoliation”.  Gone are the days of relying on ground up apricot seeds to exfoliate our skin. Those days are over and I do not look back at them fondly. I’ll never forget when I tried to exfoliate my skin with salt and olive oil. I burnt my face and had to go to school the next day looking like I got in a fight. Ah, to be young and inexperienced, eh?

I love love love acid toners and I have to shout out skincare queen Caroline Hirons who introduced me to acid toners 7 years ago. They are the best thing since sliced bread as they exfoliate your skin without causing little micro cuts or irritating it. There are many different types of acid toners you can use to aid chemical exfoliation: glycolic, salicylic, lactic are some of the well-known ones.

Depending on your skin type you can go for a gentle one or a more astringent toner. My skin is combination and even without moisturiser it can get quite oily. I have been using Bravura London’s Detoxifying Eucalyptus Astringent Toner 15% AHA/BHA for years and it is a firm favourite. You haven’t been humbled until you wash your makeup-free face then use an acid toner and see the dirt left on the cotton pad. My affordable 30s skincare routine would be dead without it.

Acid toning your skin is one of the best things you can do especially if you are acne prone. Using skincare acids on your skin sounds scary but this is what they are designed for. Salicylic acid is oil-soluble meaning it can get deep into clogged pores and help clear breakouts. If having brighter and less dull skin is your concern then glycolic acid is for you. Acid toners also help to improve the texture of our skin as well as keeping skin clear of blemishes. If your pores are clear then they are free to soak up beneficial ingredients like hyaluronic acid, retinoids and vitamin C.

Your Affordable 30s Skincare Routine Needs Retinoids – Step four

Your skin should be looking and feeling super fresh now and ready to take in some serums. Along with sunscreen, retinoids are an anti-aging powerhouse. Derived from Vitamin A, they are known to smooth fine lines, rebuild collagen in the skin, fade hyperpigmentation, tackle acne, and improve skin texture. Not all retinoids are created equal, however. Tretinoin is the strongest form of retinoid and is only available on prescription.

The over the counter retinoids on the market will usually contain a weaker form of vitamin A such as retinaldehyde, retinol and the weakest, retinol palmitate. I have tried both OTC retinoids and prescription strength. I am currently using tretinoin as prescribed by Dermatica (review to follow). As OTC retinoids go I really like La Roche Posay Redermic Retinol  serum and Indeed Labs Retinol Reface which is a great one for retinoid virgins.

The key thing to remember with retinoids is that you have to build up a tolerance. Do not under any circumstances jump in and use a 1% prescription or OTC strength retinoid unless you want to wake up with no skin on your face. Over the counter retinoids are a good way to test how your skin responds and if it can tolerate them. They can cause peeling, dryness and irritation which is why building up the skin’s tolerance is so important. Make sure you don’t apply them on broken or delicate skin, think of your nose, above your lips and near your eyes. Let the retinol absorb for a few minutes, wash your hands and then apply your moisturiser. Tips: Give your skin a break if you get irritation,  build up tolerance slowly. And always always always wear SPF!

Moisturisers – Step five

No matter your skin type you need to moisturise. As your skin ages, moisture is even more important to keep it in good condition. SPF and facial oils do not negate the need for moisturisers. A water-based moisturiser is a good start as they are easily absorbed by the skin. The one I keep going back to is The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Moisture Cream.

Key ingredients to look out for in a moisturiser are water/aqua (the higher in the ingredients list the more dominant the ingredient), tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), sodium hyaluronate (water soluble form of hyaluronic acid, easily penetrable by the skin) and hyaluronic acid.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant and protects the skin from damage caused by free radicals (UV rays, smoking, alcohol, pollution etc). Sodium hyaluronate aids in retaining moisture in the skin making your skin more hydrated and less prone to fine lines. Your affordable 30s skincare routine should always have a moisturiser in its step, this is a non-negotiable.

Facial Oils – Step 6 (optional)

Like most people I have a hard time keeping my hands off my face. This causes hyperpigmentation and damage to my skin leaving it in need of some nourishing products to heal. Enter rosehip oil. Rosehip oil is renowned for healing scars and fading hyperpigmentation. I’ve used Trilogy’s Certified Organic Rosehip Oil for a few years and it is the OG.

When on a budget I use The Ordinary’s Rosehip Oil and I haven’t noticed a stark difference in efficacy between the two. (To be honest I need to research if there are any differences in production). If you have scars or hyperpigmentation and are opposed to using retinols, then a rosehip oil will help. An affordable 30s skincare routine will always benefit from having an oil as they can offer antioxidants and nourishing ingredients to finish your skincare routine and seal in those serums.

Your Affordable 30s Skincare Routine Needs Sunscreen – not optional!

There was a tweet a few months ago advocating for black people to forgo sunscreen. With an aunt in Jamaica currently receiving treatment for skin cancer this irritated me. No matter how much melanin you have in your skin you must use an SPF every day and all year round. SPF is not just for the summer or when you go on holiday. If there is daylight outta road then you should be wearing sunscreen. And as other bloggers have written, you’re meant to wear it indoors too! It’s easy to forget that UV rays penetrate glass, something I never considered.

While melanin provides a small amount of protection a specially formulated sunscreen for the face is a non-negotiable. Mineral sunscreens tend to leave a white or grey cast to the face which is unsightly and annoying. Years ago I found that Soap & Glory’s sunscreen was thin in consistency, broad spectrum and left no white cast. However, my favourite broad spectrum face SPF is by The Body Shop. If you really want to avoid wrinkles and sun damage you have to use SPF. All the serums in the world won’t undo sun damage so protect your skin please 🙂 Note: sunscreen is the last thing you apply in your affordable 30s skincare routine.

Final Thoughts

You shouldn’t use too many serums and oils before bed as there is only so much that your skin can absorb. It’s best to use light water-based products and only 1 or 2 serums at night. When using a prescription or over the counter retinoid you need to give it time to absorb before applying your moisturiser. If using a facial oil as your last step then definitely give yourself an hour before bed so you can enjoy the process and ensure your face and not your pillow is getting the benefits of all those sweet products.

Of course, a good affordable 30s skincare routine does not mean that you can guzzle wine, skip sunscreen and eat lots of sugar and think you will avoid the consequences. So drink your water, hydrate, exercise to de-stress, drink sensibly, always wash your face, sanitise your phone and change your pillow cases regularly.

For serious skin concerns you can see your GP and they can refer you to a dermatologist. This post is not sponsored.

Further reading

What Are Free Radicals?

What Is Hyaluronic Acid?

Retinol

Love BlackPistachio x