3 Sephora Beauty Directors Share Their One Skin-Care Pick To Use When You Hit 30

Contrary to popular belief, you do not turn into a pumpkin (or, more accurately, a prune) on your thirtieth birthday. However, it is a point at which it’s no longer super sustainable to maintain a skin-care routine that extends only so far as attempting to wash off your makeup before you go to sleep.

With so many beauty products on the market purporting to help you maintain that thirty-year-old glow in the long term, however, it can be difficult to decide where it’s most crucial to start. And since many products can be an investment, it’s important to choose wisely in terms of getting the most bang for your buck.

For help navigating this embarrassment of skin-care riches, I asked three beauty directors at Sephora—arguably the mecca of all things aesthetic—for their must-buy recommendations for those hitting this milestone. Below, find three products they think you should add-to-cart as you round the bend on your thirtieth year.

1. Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer, $68

“In my long life, and long career in beauty, I’ve learned one rule that always holds up: Everyone needs to start using a good moisturizer by the time they reach 30. It’s a simple truth that will benefit everyone regardless of gender, skin type, and skin tone. Moisturizers help to keep skin healthy, and healthy skin looks and behaves better. I recommend a moisturizer like the Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer. This is a perfect moisturizer to give your skin the essential hydration it needs. It also soothes and calms the skin and provides antioxidants to help protect. It’s easily absorbed and leaves skin feeling plumped and softened. Overall, this moisturizer is a perfect way to be certain your skin will remain looking fresh and vibrant as you enter into your thirties.” — David Razzano, Beauty Director at Sephora 

Shop now: Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer, $68

2. Shani Darden Skin Care Intensive Eye Renewal Cream, $68

“By the time you hit 30, you’ll want to find an eye cream that you absolutely love. Keeping that delicate area moisturized is the key to looking bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Oftentimes what seems like a wrinkle could just be dehydration. However, the eye area is usually the first area where we see wrinkles form, so prevention is key….The Shani Darden Skin Care Intensive Eye Renewal Cream is a new favorite of mine. This rich do-it-all eye cream addresses fine lines, dark circles, and loss of firmness, thanks to powerhouse ingredients like peptides, squalane, and niacinamide.” — Myiesha Sewell, Beauty Director at Sephora

Shop now: Shani Darden Skin Care Intensive Eye Renewal Cream, $68

3. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Exfoliating Body Treatment Peel

“You may have spent your twenties experimenting with different types of face serums and moisturizers, but what is the one thing you should incorporate by the time you turn thirty? Body skin care…. As a Sephora Beauty Director, I work with countless beauty junkies and a favorite among all is the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peels for the face. Now, there is the same thing for your body. I am a big fan of this all-over body treatment that contains a mix of alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids to exfoliate, increase cell turnover to reveal smoother looking skin, and brighten the appearance of your skin. It also contains aloe to help soothe, which is important when using acids. It is easy to use and great for all skin types. Simply massage the pre-soaked towel onto clean, dry skin until it is completely dry and follow up with a moisturizer. You can use this two times weekly, or more if desired.” — Melinda Solares, Beauty Director at Sephora

Shop now: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Exfoliating Body Treatment Peel, $58

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