Turning 30 hits differently— dark circles can stick around longer, and your favorite products that used to work wonders may now lead to breakouts or leave your complexion looking dull. While aging is natural and beautiful, some everyday beauty habits may be aging your skin faster than time itself.
Even more concerning? These beauty habits might seem like self-care at first glance.
In this article, we’ll explore five ‘silent’ beauty habits that could cause you to age without realizing it and how to fix them.
1. Not wearing sunscreen, especially on cloudy days
Let’s be honest: Many women, especially those who grew up in Nigeria or other African regions, weren’t taught the importance of wearing sunscreen unless it was a beach day.
However, holding on to this outdated mindset might be accelerating the aging of your skin. Research from the American Academy of Dermatology indicates that up to 90% of visible aging signs—like fine lines, dark spots, and sagging skin—are linked to sun damage from UV exposure. Even on cloudy days or while sitting near windows, UV rays can still reach and harm your skin.
What to do instead?
- Make sunscreen a daily habit: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, even when you’re indoors.
- Don’t forget to reapply: Make it a point to reapply your sunscreen every two hours, particularly if you’re spending time outside or near windows.
- Opt for sunscreen with effective ingredients. Look for sunscreens that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for enhanced protection.
Taking these steps will help you maintain youthful skin and reduce the risk of sun-related damage. Remember, caring for your skin is a year-round commitment!
2. Over-Exfoliating With Harsh Products
While exfoliation can effectively remove dead skin cells and promote a healthy, radiant glow, excessive use of harsh products can strip the skin’s protective barrier, leading to inflammation and increased sensitivity.
A study published in the Journal of Dermatological Science warns that frequent exfoliation with physical scrubs or strong acids can thin the skin over time, reducing collagen production, tightness, stinging, breakouts, and premature wrinkles.
What to do instead?
- Limit exfoliation to 1-2 times per week
- Opt for gentle chemical exfoliants like lactic acid or polyhydroxy acids (PHAs).
- Always follow up with hydrating and SPF.
- If your skin feels tight after cleansing, it’s a sign to scale back, not scrub harder.
3. Not moisturizing enough
Do you sometimes follow your full skincare routine but wake up with dry or flaky skin? Perhaps it’s because you’re not sleeping in a moisture-rich environment. Our skin loses moisture naturally overnight, and by the time we reach our 30s, that loss accelerates as our hyaluronic acid and collagen levels begin to drop.
A key early sign of aging is that our skin produces less oil, which can lead to dryness, according to a report by Harvard Health.
What to do instead?
- Use a hydrating moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or peptides at night.
- Lock it in with a good moisturizer and an occlusive product like a facial oil or a balm.
ALSO READ: 11 Common Skincare Mistakes You Are Probably Making Them And How To Avoid Them
4. Sleeping with makeup on
Late night or sheer laziness: sleeping with your makeup on — or not properly cleansing — is a skin sin that builds up over time.
Makeup captures free radicals from pollution, which reduces collagen overnight. Not removing SPF makes pores congested, which can turn into inflammatory lesions.
What to do instead?
Adopt the double cleansing method.
- The first cleanse: An oil/balm to break down makeup/SPF.
- Second cleanse: Apply a mild cleanser with water to eliminate residue.
5. Living in High-Stress Mode
Stress can take a toll on your skin, making it age faster than it should. High levels of cortisol, especially over time, can lead to breakouts, dryness, and a decline in collagen, which keeps our skin youthful and firm.
A 2020 study from the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology found that chronic stress can contribute to early aging, notably affecting women in their 30s and 40s.
What to do instead?
- Practice consistent stress management techniques, such as journaling, meditating, and therapy.
- Ensure you’re getting about 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night to allow your skin the time it needs to repair and rejuvenate.
- Treat your skincare routine as a ritual, not just a rushed task. Giving your skin the gentle care it deserves can make all the difference.
Final Thoughts
Looking young in your 30s is about doing less but doing it smart, not about spending more money. Every little habit either accelerates or slows down aging depending on how much time it has to accumulate. Just start by unlearning what doesn’t serve you and adopting habits that feed your skin and your soul.