7 Skin Care Tips I Wish I’d Known Before 30

I’ve always considered myself lucky in the skin department. But now that I’m getting older, there are definitely some skin care tips I wish I’d known before 30 (or rather, paid attention to).

Because even though I’ve worked in beauty for the past nine years (and have read and written loads about skin care), it doesn’t mean I’ve done everything right.

So from the tips I ignored when I really shouldn’t have, to the things I thought were great but were actually far from it, these are the pieces of skin care wisdom I wish I’d known sooner.

#1 The best cleanse is a gentle cleanse

In my twenties I thought a good cleanser was one that could take off my waterproof mascara and heavy foundation in a single swipe. Efficient. Excellent. But a cleanser that could strip paint isn’t exactly great for maintaining a healthy skin moisture barrier. And I have a combination skin type that will both overproduce oil and exacerbate dryness if it gets too out of whack.

Don’t get me wrong, makeup removal is still important (nobody wants residue). But these days I opt for a cleansing balm or micellar water that does so gently (and without dragging) before a second cleanse that leaves my skin clean but hydrated.

#2 Hyaluronic acid works better when your skin is damp

Oh the serums I wasted over the years not knowing this! Hyaluronic acid’s main job is to attract and bind water to the skin. So if your skin is dry when you apply it, it has nothing to attract and won’t work effectively. Also file under: reasons face mists are actually great.

#3 And the same goes for body moisturiser

Think you’re too lazy (to apply) or impatient (waiting for it to dry) for body moisturiser? Apply it straight after the shower while your limbs are still damp. It spreads way easier, your skin will soak it up and you can always dab over it with a towel before getting dressed (but you probably won’t need to).

#4 Put SPF everywhere

I don’t have many regrets in life but not putting sunscreen on my chest as often as my face is one of them. My chest is a lot more lined and scattered with hyperpigmentation as a result, and I have to work much harder to try and minimise the damage that’s been done.

I knew that getting sunburnt was bad. In fact, it only takes five sunburns before the age of 20 to increase your risk of a melanoma by 80 per cent*. But while I would put sunscreen on my body whenever I was at the beach or outside in summer, I didn’t do it daily for every exposed surface.

It’s been found that Australian women visibly age up to 20 years fa ster than those in the US**. And now that I’m in my thirties, the difference between my face and chest is showing me exactly why wearing sunscreen is the single best thing you can do to care for your skin and protect it from sun damage.

So please learn from my mistake and don’t poo-poo the idea of prevention. Find an SPF that you love enough to use every day and apply it to every part of your body that’s uncovered (and therefore unprotected).

La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios sunscreens provide broad spectrum SPF50+ protection and are dermatologically tested for sensitive skin.  For the face, Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF50+ ($35.95 at La Roche-Posay) is the lightest sunscreen formula, while Anthelios Wet Skin SPF50+ ($42.95 at La Roche Posay) is a body sunscreen that’s suitable for the whole family and (you guessed it) can be applied to wet skin.

#5 Good skin care = good makeup

I shudder to think of the times when past me would attempt to blend foundation on a dry, unprepped face. Makeup will always look a million times better if you create a smooth and plump canvas with the proper skin care first. I’m talking minutes before, not the night before.

#6 Create a skin care schedule

We’re often told we need a morning and a nightly routine. And while this isn’t wrong, there are some steps you only need to do every 2-3 nights. And some that are only require a weekly call up. Figuring out a rhythm and schedule that worked for my skin was a game-changer. Now Monday night is exfoliating night, Tuesday night is actives night, Wednesday night is hydration night and so on.

#7 It’s always worth paying for a good facial

A facial is certainly a luxury and there’s nothing worse than being disappointed when it comes to ‘treating’ yourself. I’ve had my fair share of bad and sub par facials over the years, and found that it’s always been worth paying that little bit more for a better experience (as well as reading other people’s reviews if going somewhere new). So add on the Omnilux, the skin needling, and the microdermabrasion, because if you’re going to get a facial you might as well get one that will give you a longer-lasting glow.

*Journal – (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev June 2 2014 23 (6) 1080-1089)

** Australasian Journal of Dermatology (2017): Comparison of self-reported signs of facial ageing.

ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE.

Apply 20 minutes before sun exposure. Sunscreen is only one part of sun protection so wear protective clothing and seek shade. Avoid prolonged sun exposure.

Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming, towelling and perspiring in accordance with directions.

What are the skin tips you wish you knew earlier?