How to Take Care of Your Skin in Your 30s, 40s, and 50s—According to a Top LI Derm

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Because great skin isn’t about stopping the clock, it’s about working with it.

Aging is inevitable, but how does your skin look and feel as you age? That’s where you get some say. We spoke with top dermatologist Kavita Mariwalla, MD, based in West Islip, New York, to break down what your skin really needs in your 30s, 40s, and 50s. Because the right tweaks (at home or in-office) can go a long way toward helping your skin stay healthy, resilient, and glowing at every age.

Here’s what to focus on, decade by decade:

Your 30s: Prevent + Protect

At home:
If you’ve been winging it when it comes to skincare, your 30s are the time to get more intentional. “For a 30-something-year-old, the best advice I can give is that it is the perfect decade to focus on prevention,” says Dr. Mariwalla. That means daily sunscreen (yes, even in winter), plus ingredients that boost cellular turnover and keep skin bright.

As collagen production starts to dip and dead skin cells linger longer, exfoliating acids like glycolic can help keep dullness at bay. Try: La Roche-Posay Glycolic B5 Serum, $40, with 10% glycolic acid to smooth and glow.

And if SPF hasn’t been a daily thing yet, now’s the time. “It’s never too late to prevent unnecessary sun damage,” she says. Versed Guards Up Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 35, $22, is a good place to start.

In office:
The sun damage from your sun-filled teens and twenties may be starting to show up: brown spots, anyone? IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and BBL (Broadband Light) are effective treatments for fading discoloration and evening out tone. Some women also choose to start Botox in their 30s to help prevent expression lines from setting in.

Your 40s: Repair + Rebuild

At home:
This is the decade to layer in more active ingredients. One essential: a daytime antioxidant serum. Think of antioxidants like your skin’s bodyguards—they neutralize damaging free radicals from sun, pollution, and stress before those unstable molecules wreak havoc on your cells.

Look for vitamin C and E paired together—like in SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, $166—for proven protection, plus brightening benefits.

At night, it’s about collagen support. Retinol or peptides can help smooth fine lines and firm skin by encouraging cell turnover and collagen production. For drugstore power: Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Max Night Serum, $33. Want both peptides and retinol? Try Kiehl’s Micro-Dose Retinol Serum, $85.

In office:
Not seeing that glow despite your exfoliating efforts? In-office chemical peels can give your skin the reboot it needs. “A chemical peel is a liquid applied to the skin that breaks down the junction between skin cells, promoting them to slough,” says Dr. Mariwalla. The result? Brighter, smoother skin—and over time, even a collagen boost.

Your 50s: Hydrate + Firm

At home:
If you’ve nailed your core routine (antioxidant + SPF by day, retinol or peptides by night), now’s the time to double down on hydration. Hormonal changes during this decade can make skin drier and more sensitive, so barrier support is key.

Look for products with humectants (like glycerin and hyaluronic acid) to draw in moisture, and occlusives (like shea butter or jojoba oil) to help seal it in. Ceramides also help strengthen your skin’s natural barrier. Try CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Cream, $19—it covers all the bases.

In office:
For overall firming, Mariwalla recommends microneedling with radiofrequency, which helps tighten the skin and refine its texture. “Microneedling creates microscopic columns of injury in the skin and then applies heat, which stimulates collagen production as the skin heals,” she says. Think of it as a deeper reboot for tone and elasticity.

Final Word: You Make the Rules

Let’s be honest: No cream, filler, or laser is going to stop time. And that’s not the point. Aging is a privilege, and feeling good in your skin while you do it is what matters. That might mean wearing a topical retinoid religiously, booking a Botox appointment, or just finding a moisturizer that makes your skin feel amazing.

These are the tools. You decide how to use them.

Need more help putting together a skincare routine or more product recommendations? Need to see a skincare pro? I can help with that!