Why Am I Getting Eczema in My 30s?

So, your skin’s decided to throw a curveball. You’re in your 30s, dealing with actual adult stuff, and now – bam – itchy patches, redness, flaking? What even is this? You’re not alone. A lot of women who never had skin issues before suddenly find themselves saying, “I think I’ve developed eczema in my 30s. Is that even a thing?” 

Yep, it is. And it’s more common than you think.

Why You Have Developed Eczema in Your 30s

It’s easy to think of eczema as a childhood thing, but your 30s are a prime time for new skin surprises. Firstly, skin gets drier in your 30’s and hormones shift, stress hits different, and your immune system can start reacting to things it never used to care about. So if you’ve developed eczema in your 30s, it’s not weird – it’s your body trying to tell you something.

Your Skin Barrier Might Be Crying Out for Help

Hot showers, skincare overload, exfoliators that promise glow but give you flakes … it adds up. That protective layer of your skin (your barrier) gets worn down, and once it’s compromised, things like eczema can sneak in. If your face feels tight or looks blotchy, your skin’s asking for a break. Why not look into red light therapy to help your eczema and improve your skin barrier?

The Invisible Saboteur

You already know stress affects your health, and this includes your skin. Cortisol (the stress hormone) can mess with your skin’s healing process, trigger inflammation, and make eczema worse. And who isn’t carrying around a fair bit of stress in their 30s?

If you’ve recently developed eczema in your 30s, ask yourself: has life been a little more chaotic lately? The connection might be closer than you think.

Your Routine Might Be Doing Too Much

Those “active” serums, exfoliating toners, and multi-step routines might be too harsh right now. Especially if you’ve recently switched products or added something new. Skin in your 30s can get more reactive, and what worked before might suddenly feel too much.

Let’s Talk Triggers 

You might be reacting to something super basic, like your laundry detergent, your pillowcase, or even your post-workout sweat. A lot of women notice eczema flare-ups after switching to a new product, season changes, or even increased allergies they never had before.

If you’ve developed eczema in your 30s, it’s worth dialing things back to the basics for a bit. Think gentle, fragrance-free, and soothing.

So What Can You Actually Do To Soothe Your Eczema in Your Thirties?

Here’s what’s helped a lot of women (myself included):

1. Keep your skincare simple for now. Think: gentle cleanser, rich but plain moisturizer, SPF.
2. Skip the hot showers. I know, they’re amazing. But they’re wrecking your barrier. Keep them at the lower end of warm.
3. Eat more healthy fats (avocado, salmon, olive oil). Your skin loves them. Learn more about nutrition and healing eczema here. 
4. Try a short patch test when introducing new products – don’t go full-face on day one.
5. If it’s persistent or painful, book in with a derm. No shame in getting help.

You’re Not the Only One

This whole bad skin in your 30s thing feels weird because no one talks about it. But trust me, there are so many of us quietly googling “eczema cream that actually works” at 11 p.m.

Getting eczema as an adult is just your skin asking for some care and patience. And once you know what it needs, you’ll find your way back to balance.

Your skin just needs a bit more support these days – and you’ve got this.