I Recently Celebrated My 30th Birthday—All the Skincare Tips from Experts That I Wish I Had Known During My 20s

      In a surprising twist, I've just turned 30. I describe it as "surprising" because I honestly feel like I should still be 25 on the inside, and if you asked me how a whole decade slipped by since my 20th birthday, I wouldn't be able to explain it. Nonetheless, I’m truly excited to begin a new decade of my life. People say your 30s bring more stability, confidence, and happiness. You gain a deeper understanding of who you are, what you want, and what deserves your time. I find that appealing, much more so than succumbing to the internal or societal pressures that often accompany turning 30.

      As a beauty editor, I can’t help but reflect on my 20s through the lens of beauty. I embrace the signs of aging (constantly reminding myself that lines and wrinkles are privileges, not curses), but that doesn’t mean I’m ready to face them all at once—or worse—allow them to deepen due to skin damage. I strive to take care of my skin as well as I can because it’s a part of me and integral to my overall well-being. That said, I’ve made my share of mistakes along the way.

      Before I turned 30, I committed all the common skincare sins. I used harsh acne treatments in middle school (even when I wasn't actively breaking out). I neglected daily sunscreen in high school. I only moisturized my chest, hands, and limbs when they showed visible signs of dryness. (Yikes.) However, once I became a beauty editor, I took my skincare routine much more seriously and have remained committed ever since. Still, there's plenty of room for improvement (a lot, in fact). I’m about to share my experiences in hopes they might help someone else. So, yes, I guess I’m stepping into the role of your beauty editor big sister.

      Here are seven expert-backed skincare tips I wish I had known or followed more diligently in my 20s. The final note: please learn from my missteps.

      ### The Top Expert-Approved Skin Tips I Wish I Followed in My 20s

      1. **Cleanse Your Skin for Way Longer Than You Think You Should**

      I always assumed I was cleansing my skin effectively. I double-cleanse when wearing makeup and sunscreen and take my time. I allow the oil cleanser to dissolve stubborn products and work the gel cleanser into a lather, massaging it across my face and neck. So imagine my shock when I discovered I hadn’t been cleansing my skin for even half the recommended time.

      This realization came when I heard Joanna Vargas, a celebrity facialist and founder of Joanna Vargas Salons and Skin Care, refer to cleansing as the "holy" step in a skincare routine. She remarked that very few people cleanse for the duration they should, suggesting a thorough five minutes. Although that may feel excessively long, it ensures that your skin is free from sunscreen, makeup, dirt, and oil. "Spend a good five minutes washing your face while concentrating on doing mini circles and really working the cleanser into the skin," Vargas advises.

      Curious about my own cleansing duration, I timed myself and found I was spending only 30 seconds on this crucial step. I came to realize I needed to devote more time to it (even increasing it to one or two minutes would be an improvement). Thorough cleansing not only helps prevent acne and irritation but also ensures that expensive skincare products can work effectively, as invisible skin debris can hinder toners, essences, and serums from penetrating the skin. Consider this your reminder to ritualize—not rush—your cleansing routine.

      **A Few of My Favorite Cleansers:**

      - ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Foaming Cleanser

      - KORRES Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser

      - Dieux Baptism Gentle Foaming Gel Cleanser

      2. **Use an Antioxidant Serum Morning and Night**

      This tip comes from celebrity aesthetician Renée Rouleau. Most individuals use an antioxidant serum, like vitamin C, in the morning to shield the skin from free radicals from environmental factors (like pollution and UV rays). However, it’s beneficial to use one in both the morning and at night. The skin's antioxidant reservoir can deplete during the day as it goes into "defense" mode. When night falls, the skin switches to "repair" mode, and an extra boost of antioxidants can support crucial processes, brighten the skin, and lessen dark spots and discoloration. So yes, feel free to use that vitamin C serum twice a day. Alternatively, other antioxidant-rich products, such as retinoids, can serve the same function.

      **A Few of My Favorite Antioxidant Serums:**

      - BeautyStat Cosmetics Universal C Skin Refiner 20% Vitamin C

      - Renee Rouleau Firm + Repair Overnight Serum

      - Allies of Skin Peptides & Antioxid