Many things can contribute to and cause our skin to age. Things we have no control over. One of those things is the natural aging process. We can’t slow down the time, or completely stop our skin from aging.
While aging is inevitable, we can still do some things to maintain a youthful appearance as long as possible. Our environment and our lifestyle can also cause our skin to age prematurely. And both of these things are something we have control over.
So, it’s time to take the reins and change your lifestyle while your skin is still young. To help you out, we gathered these 8 strategies that can help you keep your skin looking young.
1. Hydration
Hydration is key in keeping your skin young and radiant. You don’t need a secret fountain of youth when you have water. Hydrating your body regularly can not only keep your skin looking youthful but also keep it healthy. Water can keep your skin’s elasticity, minimize pores, and banish wrinkles and soft lines.
If your goal is to keep your skin youthful looking for as long as possible, simply drink enough water. And while it’s recommended to drink at least 2 liters of water per day, this will vary from person to person. Either way, keep a water bottle within a hand’s reach and hydrate your skin.
2. Protect your skin from the sun
The exposure to the sun can be good for our skin. When exposed to the sun, our skin makes vitamin D from cholesterol. And it’s not a secret that vitamin D is an important vitamin for our bodies.
However, exposure to the sun also comes with numerous health issues. The first side effect is skin damage. Too much sunlight exposure can damage our skin permanently. Sunlight contributes to the aging of the skin.
This happens because UV rays break down our skin’s elasticity, and our skin looks tired, saggy, and dull. But that’s not all, UV rays are also responsible for wrinkles, age spots, and even skin cancer. This is the number one reason why we need to protect our skin from the sun.
It’s important to always wear good sunscreen with a high SPF rating (30 would be ideal). Whether it is sunny or cloudy outside, sunrays are ever-present, and you need to wear sunscreen every day. Also, don’t forget to reapply it regularly.
3. Develop a skincare routine
A good skincare routine is one of the best ways to maintain a youthful appearance. If you don’t already have it, it’s time to start developing it. A skincare routine can help you keep your skin clean and moisturized.
This means you will need to cleanse your skin regularly and keep it moisturized and taken care of. To be able to do this, you’ll need to find skincare products that suit your skin type.
Another part of your skincare routine should be cleaning and maintaining your makeup brushes and tools regularly. Dirty makeup brushes harbor a ton of bacteria and dirt that can cause acne, breakouts, and other more serious health issues. To clean your makeup brushes, make sure you perform smart ultrasonic cleaning of makeup tools, at least once a week.
4. Get enough sleep
This following strategy is super simple. If you want to keep your skin youthful looking, all you have to do is get enough sleep and rest. Yes, as easy as that.
While sleeping, our bodies work on repairing themselves by releasing hormones that promote cell renewal. The human body needs at least 8 hours of sleep at night, so make sure you get a good night’s sleep.
You can make the most of this time and use powerful exfoliants such as retinoids and AHA products that fight wrinkles. These age-defying actives will work wonders on your skin while you’re sleeping.
5. Eat a healthy diet
Believe it or not, what you eat affects your skin. That’s a good reason to start watching what you eat. For example, fast and greasy foods can cause blemishes and breakouts on your skin.
Instead of eating fast food, you should try eating a healthy balanced diet. A diet rich in lean proteins, good fats, fruits, and vegetables will provide your skin with all the nutrients and vitamins it needs. So, for healthy and glowing skin, all you need to do is increase your intake of fruits and vegetables and minimize the intake of unhealthy, fast food.
6. Exercise
Being physically active can contribute to our overall health, including our skin. Several studies have shown that exercise can slow down your aging by 6 to 10 years!
But that’s not all – exercise can boost the immune system, improve our circulation, and better move oxygen and nutrients throughout our bodies. In turn, this leads to our appearance being more youthful.
The benefits of exercise don’t end there, though. Through regular exercise, we can maintain muscle mass and strength and that comes with numerous benefits as well.
7. Limit alcohol and caffeine intake
Everything is good in moderation, and this also includes alcohol and caffeine. We know that most of us love a good glass of wine and a coffee but only when consumed moderately.
Too much alcohol and caffeine can cause damage to your skin. It can severely dehydrate your body and rob you of most nutrients. And the side effects of this can often be irreversible.
8. Ease up on heavy makeup
Since we’re talking about moderation, this can also be applied to makeup. Too much makeup can wreak havoc on your skin.
Heavy makeup tends to clog your pores and, in turn, limit collagen and elastin production. Weaning heavy makeup for prolonged periods can cause lines and wrinkles to appear on your face.
Your skin and pores need air, so make sure you give them a chance to breathe. Ease up on heavy makeup and remove all your makeup before going to bed every night.
Conclusion
The best way to ensure that your skin maintains a youthful appearance is by taking proper care of it. Make all the necessary lifestyle changes, protect your skin from the sun, and drink enough water. The earlier you start caring for your skin, the longer it will look young and healthy.
