If I could go back to my thirties, I would worry less about products and more about principles. In the whirlwind of life, balancing a budding career and personal commitments, skincare sometimes felt like a puzzle that needed constant solving. The truth, as I eventually learned, is both more simple and more profound. Here are the five pieces of advice I wish I had given to my younger self, gleaned from years of experience both as an aesthetic doctor and as a woman navigating the same pressures as many of you.
Sunscreen Is Not Optional
In my thirties, I was guilty of overlooking sunscreen, thinking it was more of a beach day essential. What I learned later, both from practice and from studies such as those by Flament et al., is that ultraviolet (UV) exposure is responsible for approximately 80% of visible skin aging. This isn’t just about avoiding sunburn; it’s about protecting your skin from insidious, cumulative damage that accelerates the aging process. Incorporating sunscreen into my daily routine was transformative and, honestly, one of the highest-return investments I made for my skin.
Collagen Loss Is Happening Now—Not Later
In my younger years, collagen was something I associated with “older” people. However, research such as Varani et al. 2006 shows that collagen production begins to decrease in our twenties. This means that by the time I was in my thirties, I was already experiencing a slow decline. If I could go back, I’d prioritize treatments and habits that support collagen maintenance, such as incorporating retinoids early and considering dermal fillers selectively, as they can be effective tools in maintaining skin’s suppleness.
Your Skin Reflects Your Sleep, Stress, and Gut
No serum can fix a lifestyle that doesn’t support your skin’s health. I remember a patient, let’s call her M, who was as diligent with her skincare as she was negligent with her sleep. She was perplexed about why her expensive routine wasn’t delivering results. Her skin was, in essence, a mirror of her stress and fatigue. It took addressing her lifestyle—prioritizing rest, managing stress, and maintaining a balanced diet—to see the real changes she desired. This was a lesson I, too, learned the hard way.
The Ingredients That Work Are Boring
In an industry full of buzzy ingredients and miracle promises, the basics often get overshadowed. The truth is, the ingredients that consistently show results—retinoids, vitamin C, niacinamide, and, of course, SPF—are far from glamorous. They are tried and tested, supported by numerous studies and clinical trials. The most expensive skincare routine I’ve seen belonged to a woman—let’s call her P—whose skin was, politely, not benefiting from it. She had been lured by marketing rather than research. Similarly, I learned to streamline my own routine to focus on these core actives, a decision that paid dividends.
Treatments Are Tools, Not Transformations
It’s easy to think of aesthetic treatments as magic wands. However, they are more akin to well-made tools that, when used correctly, can enhance the foundations laid by good habits. My visits to the clinic became less about radical changes and more about strategic enhancements. Whether it was laser treatments or skin boosters, the goal was to complement, not replace, my skin’s natural processes. This approach not only brought out the best in my skin but also ensured that the results were sustainable and harmonious.
The best thing I did for my skin in my thirties was also the least glamorous: I stopped chasing miracles and started understanding biology. The journey to skin health is deeply personal and uniquely yours, informed by science and guided by principles that stand the test of time. To those of you still navigating your own skin journeys, embrace the basics, respect the science, and prioritize what truly nourishes your skin from within.
Want to go deeper? I explore topics like this on my podcast and YouTube channel. Listen on Spotify or watch on YouTube @drlowchailing.
If you are considering any aesthetic or medical treatment, SW1 Clinic offers consultations with a team of experienced doctors. You can also start with the SW1 Quick Quiz to understand what might suit you.