After I Hit My 30s, My Skin And Hair Started Behaving A Bit Differently — Here Are 12 Products I’ve Sworn By Since

There's been some trial and error along the way.

Hi! I'm Melissa — and my pandemic hobby was...skincare.

Melissa Jameson

A few reasons why:

• During the pandemic, I changed my climate. I moved from the East Coast where I'd lived for a decade (with actual seasons!), to Los Angeles (cue: "Another Day of Sun"). And it threw my skin — and skincare routine — for a loop.

• I hit my mid-30s, which seems to be the time when your skin and hair can start to make you say...WYD?? It's not a bad thing, but it can be unexpected when either start reacting in a different way, post-20s.

• I have a toddler! And as any fellow sleep-deprived parent of young kids knows, it's a stage where we have even less time to devote to things like skin and hair routines. Still, we want those routines to be effective. 

I have sensitive, combination skin that leans really dry in the winter — and my two main everyday goals are hydration and an even skintone.

@heymelissajameson / Via Instagram

As a working mom, I'm hoping to spend no more than 10 minutes on my skincare routine most days — but I'm consistent about it and always looking to refine my small-but-mighty list of favorites.

On the product front, I'm a big believer that more expensive isn't always better. Nothing thrills me more than a drugstore find that absolutely delivers (see: #8, #12) — but I've also put my sensitive skin through the ringer enough to be OK with splurging if I think a product is genuinely worth it (#3, #5). So this list is a mix of both!

Before we go into favorites, a quick-yet-necessary reminder.

Everyone is beautiful — you don't need any of this. And when it comes to more significant skin or hair issues with a root cause, your best bet is always consulting with a dermatologist. 

Still, if you're troubleshooting any issues I list below — like hydration, dry scalp, or even mid-30s skin that's changed its mind — my hope is that this list can be helpful as a starting point. If you have any favorites I missed, please share them in the comments!

(And just to say: This list isn't sponsored. I've personally purchased, used, and loved everything below. 😊)

1. The worth-its-weight-in-gold Weleda Skin Food — for heavy-duty moisture that actually delivers. (Or just...for a shortcut highlighter, lol.)

Melissa Jameson

This stuff is as good as everyone says. I bought my first tube during one ridiculously cold New York winter when my hands were constantly drying out. I started applying it at night before bed — because TBH, it's almost too thick to just slather on on-the-go — and very quickly, my hands were consistently hydrated again.

I've kept some stocked ever since for times when my hands need heavy-duty moisture. When my face has needed extra hydration at times, I've also used it there as part of my nighttime routine. The first time, it felt like breakouts waiting to happen — again, it's SO thick — but ultimately, it worked like a charm on dry spots. During the day, I've also used Skin Food as a shortcut highlighter when I want a quick glow on my cheekbones. 

Get Weleda Skin Food from Amazon for $15.99 or from Thrive Market for $14.99.

2. A bottle (or several) of Mrs. Meyer's hand soap — with soothing ingredients like aloe and olive oil — because you can't solve dry hands with lotion alone.

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After washing my hands approximately 1 million times per day during the pandemic, I realized my previous at-home hand soap was drying out my hands over time — no matter how much Skin Food I slathered on in between. Enter: Mrs. Meyers hand soap. I can use it constantly without my hands feeling stripped or dried out at all — and it obviously gets the 'clean' part done as well. The basil scent is my favorite.

Get a bottle of Mrs. Meyers hand soap from Amazon for $4.28.

3. A splurge-worthy bottle of OleHenriksen Vitamin C serum — in which a little goes a long way.

Melissa Jameson, sephora.com

I got hooked on this vitamin C serum after nabbing a free trial size at Sephora a few years ago. After working my way through the bottle, I bought another trial size — then caved and bought the full.

I think this has done a lot for my skin in terms of evening out tone, adding hydration, and even adding that tiny bit of ~glow~ that it advertises. I have a few areas of hyperpigmentation on my face: a darker birthmark above my left eyebrow, and since switching coasts, a handful of new sunspots that have all popped up within the past year. I'd like to think that my combo of SPF daily + this serum nightly have helped prevent more sunspots from popping up, as well as help fade the (initially much darker) color on the newer ones.

Despite the price tag, a little bit goes a long way, and I've found that one pump is enough for my entire face.

Get OleHenriksen's Truth Serum with vitamin C and collagen from Sephora for $52.

4. A tube of Acure brightening facial scrub — the rare physical exfoliant that's both effective and gentle enough for sensitive skin.

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I often prefer physical exfoliators to chemical ones — I think they do a better job of gently sloughing off dead skin, especially in the winter months. Still, because my sensitive skin can be prone to redness, I've had a decent amount of trial and error when searching for a solid one. 

But then I found this Acure one — which was love at first...well, scrub. The dark gray color is a bit jarring at first, but the actual exfoliation aspect is the unusual combo of both gentle and effective. I use it once or twice a week, and it always leaves my face feeling clean, smooth, and primed for whatever hydration I'll slather on afterward.

Get Acure Brightening Facial Scrub from Thrive Market or Target for $9.99.

5. Or, for a non-daunting (and hydrating) chemical exfoliant that does its job while you're sleeping: Biossance's Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum.

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This night serum was one of my first forays into acids — and I went the Biossance route after really liking some of their other products, including their eye cream. With this one, the cream-like consistency applies beautifully and gets to work while you're sleeping.

The lactic acid exfoliates and smoothes — and the squalane adds hydration. The latter, I think, has been key for me. Even though my skin is prone to dryness (including after exfoliating), I've never had an issue with this. Biossance can be on the pricier side though, so if you're trying it out for the first time, I recommend a trial-size set to both maximize variety and take advantage of cost-per-ounce. 

Get Biossance's Squalane + 10% Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum from Sephora for $62 (1-ounce bottle), or as part of a 5-piece trial-size set for $58.

6. A few sprays of Ouai frizz-fighting leave-in conditioner — if you (like me) ditched your blow-dryer during the pandemic but still want an under-control air-dry.

Melissa Jameson

During the pandemic, I (for the most part) stopped blow-drying my hair. My hair air-dries pretty straight on its own, but it is thick and prone to flyaways — and can frizz up depending on the weather. The ends also tend to get somewhat dry once it gets past a certain length.

The solution? This leave-in conditioner — which adds moisture, shine, tames any frizzy or air-dried flyaways, and doesn't weigh my hair down. I spray it on the mid-length and ends when my hair is still damp after a shower. It's become my secret weapon for a smooth air-dry that I don't have to babysit.

One thing to note: I personally love the scent, but in reviews, it seems to be polarizing. ("Bergamot and violet" notes are called out on the packaging.) Some love it; others do not — so I'd suggest a small travel size if you're not sure. 

Get Ouai's Detangling and Frizz-Fighting Leave-In Conditioner from Sephora for $12 (1.5 oz) or $26 (4.7 oz).

7. If you're dealing with product buildup or dry flakes that flare up in the winter, Kristin Ess exfoliating scalp scrub is a great option that doesn't smell medicinal.

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Once I hit my 30s (and after I had my daughter), I started dealing with on-and-off dry scalp — mostly during the colder months. I've tried various solutions when it flares up: a shampoo my dermatologist recommended, troubleshooting my wash routine, etc.

But surprisingly, this scalp scrub — which I impulse-bought at Target last winter simply because I liked the packaging (lol) — is actually the thing that's worked best.

The sugar-based scrub is thick so it takes a second to learn how to effectively apply. But once you get the hang of it, a little goes a long way. Pre-shampoo, you'll massage it into the flake-prone areas of your scalp, and upon rinsing, those flakes will be gone. (Or at least, I've found that to be the case!) I'll use it roughly twice a month if flakes are flaring up, and each time, it does its job immediately. Also worth noting: It smells great.

Get Kristin Ess Instant Exfoliating Scalp Scrub from Target for $14.

8. A trusty bottle of Cetaphil daily hydrating lotion with hyaluronic acid — for lighter, everyday moisture that won't cause breakouts.

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Funny story about this Cetaphil moisturizer: I bought it thinking it was the everyday Cerave moisturizer that everyone raves about. It's not. (But also: The branding is similar, and Cetaphil and Cerave are always next to each other at the drugstore. I can't be the only one that's made this mistake?? 😂)

All turned out to be a perfect accident — because this Cetaphil moisturizer quickly became a favorite. I love its consistency; it feels lightweight, almost gel-adjacent, but it absorbs fully and fast. It's my go-to for basic, everyday moisture that won't break me out (or break the bank).

Get Cetaphil Everyday Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion from Target for $12.19 or from Amazon for $12.18.

9. When an everyday, lighterweight moisturizer won't cut it, Belif's Moisturizing Bomb or Drunk Elephant's Protini have been my ultra-rich ~reinforcements~.

Melissa Jameson

During the colder months, I'll switch to a heavier moisturizer. For years, Belif's ultra-creamy Moisturizing Bomb was my go-to for harsh East Coast winters. I tried so many over the years, and Belif's was one of the only ones that actually deeply moisturized my skin — and did so for a long time. (There were others that held up for maybe a week before my wintery face was like, "Nope, I win again.")

Since moving back West, I've since switched to Drunk Elephant's Protini — which feels a little lighter, but still rich and heavy-duty.

Get Belif's True Cream Moisturizing Bomb for $22 (.84 oz) or $38 (1.6 oz) from Sephora. Get Drunk Elephant's Protini for $22 (.50 oz) or $68 (1.6 oz) from Sephora.

10. A holy grail Supergoop sunscreen that goes on completely clear and doesn't clog my pores.

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I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't start consistently wearing sunscreen until my early 30s — but better late than never, right? This was the sunscreen that converted me over: a fully clear sunscreen that glides on smoothly, absorbs quickly, wears well solo or under makeup, and (most importantly) doesn't leave a white cast. Wear sunscreen, friends. Earlier than your 30s!!!

Get Supergoop's Unscreen Sunscreen SPF 40 from Sephora for $34, or Amazon for $34.

11. My favorite sheet mask, Dr. Jart's Vital Hydra Solution, an emergency hydrator when your skin needs some serious recovery.

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Listen, I don't love the $6 price on these. It's steep, especially compared to the $1 or $2 sheet masks you can grab at Target or Trader Joe's, or even the big Amazon multi-packs. But this recommendation comes after me trying many of those lower-priced sheet masks, and them not doing much at all. (Reminder: My skin can get D-R-Y.)

This one, however, absolutely delivers. It leaves me with that extra punch of moisture for awhile, and I rely on it to reset my skin after things like long flights (remember those? ✈️) or windchill-heavy days.

Get Dr. Jart's Vital Hydra Solution Sheet Mask from Sephora for $6.

12. For a quick, comes-in-every-size cleanser that doesn't leave your face feeling dried out: Garnier SkinActive Micellar Water.

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When I just want a lightweight, fast cleanse at night, micellar water it is. This one isn't drying or irritating, it leaves you feeling clean, and the price can't be beat. The Garnier version has been my go-to for years without issue, and I'll use it everywhere but my eyelids if I'm wearing eyeliner or mascara. (That's when I'll dip into something more targeted: the classic, can't-be-beat Neutrogena eye makeup remover.)

Get Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water from Amazon for $6.40.

What are your current favorite skin and hair products? Share in the comments below — I'd love to hear any and all recommendations!