Skin is one of the first things people notice about you and while many dream of fresh, smooth, youthful skin forever, over time this is not the reality—skin develops fine lines, dryness or a general lack of sheen and color. The good news is that you don’t need dermatological treatment or crazy at-home products to enjoy some of the benefits of that youthful glow. Instead, sustainable efforts over time on a daily basis can help your skin feel good and look good, too. Interested in how? Here’s everything you need to know about making your skin look younger—and how you can start doing it today.
This article covers all of the little things you can do, regardless of age and where you are on your skin journey. Whether you’re trying to avoid aging in your 20s or you’re looking to rejuvenate in your 50s, there’s something here for everyone. So let’s get started on what you can control starting today.
Drink Water to Keep Skin Moisturized
One of the best ways to ensure that you have great skin is to drink water. The more hydrated you are, the plumper and softer your skin will be. Dehydrated skin looks cracked, dry or just tired. When plants don’t get their required water, they shrivel up and dry; now imagine that process happening with your skin in just one day due to lack of water intake. Make sure to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. Purchase a reusable water bottle you can take with you to sip on throughout the day.
Of course, hydration doesn’t only mean drinking water. Eat foods that have high water contents like cucumbers, watermelon, or oranges. They’re not only infusing your body with moisture but vitamins that help it look dewy. Notice how soft your skin feels after a bowl of juicy fruit? I don’t think it’s a coincidence. Hydrating from the inside out is one of the easiest ways to keep that youthful glow on the outside.
If plain water bores you, cut a lemon or mint leaves. It’s a diabolical way to get your hydration up and your skin will thank you—softer and more supple in no time.
Protect Your Skin from the Sun
Why is the sun so bad for the skin? The longer we’re exposed to sunlight, the quicker we’ll get wrinkles, dark spots and leathery skin. If you want to maintain a youthful appearance, your skin needs protection from those “happy” rays.
How? Buy sunscreen. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day; it’s just as important when it’s cloudy outside. Your neck, ears and the back of your hands also show signs of aging so don’t forget to apply sunscreen there—your hands are often the dead giveaway of someone’s age. Reapply every two hours if you’re at the beach, hiking, or outside for prolonged periods of time; have you ever gotten a sunburn because you forgot to reapply? That’s your skin screaming for help.
Hats and sunblock are priceless protection. Blacken your face with sunblock, and blacken the skin around your eyes with a stylish wide-brimmed sunhat and sunglasses—oh wait, you won’t because you’ll be using these two products to help maintain youthful looking skin for longer. They even provide an extra level of sophistication to any outfit. Thus, sun exposure happens on a daily basis with ease in maintaining smoother skin and avoidance of hallmark aged features.
Gently Cleanse Your Skin
It sounds simple—but the very fact that one must consider cleansing skin establishes a foundation for youthful features. Makeup, dirt and oil rests on the surface of skin and in pores; therefore, by not assuring a fresh canvas, one is at risk for a delayed recorded history of how skin ages quicker than it has to. When done twice daily—morning and before bed—it preserves skin for success or at least needs no other products.
Also, make sure to use a product that’s good for your face, too—if washing results in tightness from dryness, then your cleansing agent is too strong or aggressive. One should always feel comforted but fresh after a gentle cleanse. One does not have to scrub their skin down to get that fresh feeling; too much friction can cause inflammation, redness or even fine lines.
Also, be sure that all makeup is off before going to sleep; going to bed with makeup on is like allowing dirty dishes to pile up in the sink—something’s got to give and it’s not going to be the clean face—it’s going to be the face that suffers overnight. You often wake up with a clarity to your face that thanks you for the cleansing it’s given so it can breathe overnight without the hindrance of makeup or residual interference.
Moisturize Every Day
Moisturizing is like applying external water to your skin. Moisturizers hydrate skin, reduce rough patches, and leave skin plump and soft. All skin types—oily, dry, and combination—should implement a daily moisturizer into their routines.
Use a lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer if you have oily skin. If you have dry skin, a thicker, rich moisturizer is best to battle any flaking. Use moisturizer after cleansing to ensure it’s locking in moisture within your skin. And don’t forget to apply moisturizers to your neck and décolleté as they age just like your face!
For bonus points, use moisturizers with hyaluronic acid or glycerin; both ingredients give skin a retention boost regarding moisture, allowing for better absorption while looking fuller and more hydrated on the outside. Ever notice how your skin feels tighter in the cold? That means your skin is telling you it needs moisture. A regimented moisturizer routine helps keep skin looking younger longer.
Exfoliate, but not too much
Exfoliation clears away dead skin cells that dull your complexion, brightening your skin. It’s like polishing a coffee table; it gets rid of the gunk and exposes the shine underneath. Yet exfoliation over time, or too aggressively, causes irritation, leading to redness and sensitivity.
Ideally exfoliate once or twice a week. Scrub with a fine granule or a chemical exfoliator; salicylic acid is best for oily skin and lactic acid is best for dry. Use in small, circular motions, rinsing thoroughly afterwards. Your skin should feel clean and smooth—not angry.
Also, always follow with a moisturizer to prevent dehydration. Have you ever noticed how your face looks brighter instantly after exfoliation? You’ve given your skin a clean slate. But excessive exposure can strip away your skin’s barrier and work against you.
Get enough sleep
Sleep is also the best medicine for skin. Your skin heals while you sleep, whether its resting or generating new cells. If you don’t get enough sleep, you may wake up with dark circles, under-eye bags, or an overall fatigued visage. It would help if you aimed for seven or eight hours to allow your skin to have downtime to repair itself.
End your day with a calming evening routine. Lowering lights an hour or so before bedtime—giving up on-screen time is a great choice, as blue light inhibits natural sleeping patterns—can foster better sleep. Consider a good read or relaxing music. An amazing pillow doesn’t hurt, either, along with a cool, dark sleeping environment.
Have you ever looked at someone and thought that they look well rested? That’s because sleep repairs our bodies, rebuilding skin cells in the process overnight. Thus, ensuring quality sleep is one of the most natural, budget-friendly ways to make skin appear younger.
Consume Foods That Make Skin Younger
What you eat becomes you—and your skin. Diets filled with processed foods, sugars, and fatty snacks will cause breakouts and dull appearances. On the other hand, a diet rich in nutrients creates skin that radiates from the inside out.
Eat bright foods! Fruits and vegetables like berries, sweet potatoes, carrots, and spinach are rich in vitamins and antioxidants necessary for skin functioning and well-being. Healthy fats from avocados, nuts, and fish keep skin plump and hydrated from the outside in; green tea and dark chocolate (when consumed in moderation) can help with skin, as well.
Remember how you feel after eating healthy and fresh? Your skin feels the same way. Instead of sugary drinks, drink fresh water or herbal teas. Try including more fresh options into your meals for lunch and dinner while reducing junk food for snacking. These minor adjustments in dietary habits do wonders for how young skin looks.
Exercise for Youthful Skin
Exercising helps your skin look younger because when you work out, you get your blood flowing. Blood circulation increases which means more oxygen and nutrients travel to skin cells. In addition, when you sweat, your body releases toxins which leads to a more youthful appearance.
You don’t even have to go hard to see results. A 30 minute walk, yoga class, or dance session while cleaning the house will suffice. Ever notice your cheeks are brighter after a good workout? That’s called the exercise glow and it’s from good blood circulation to your skin.
In addition, exercising creates endorphins which lessen stress. Stress shows on your face and can cause acne or wrinkles. Therefore, maintaining a consistent exercise routine to control stress keeps you looking younger. Choose activities that you love and do them daily or weekly to keep your stress—and skin—in check.
Reduce Stress for Better Skin
Stress is bad for your skin. Stress creates hormonal activity that can cause anything from acne to redness to prematurely aging skin. Therefore, finding ways to relieve stress can help your skin remain youthful.
Stress relief can be as simple as breathing exercises, taking baths, meditating and much more. Even a few minutes per day doing something enjoyable can take your mind off of stressful happenings. Have you ever noticed how you break out when you have a long stressful week? That’s stress showing up on your skin as well.
Also, a positive atmosphere and sane mind. Stress is one of the effective anti-aging solutions since your skin reflects how you’re feeling inside.
Use Simple Skincare Products
If you don’t want to look older, you don’t need a whole cabinet of products. In fact, sometimes less is more. All you need is a cleanser, daytime moisturizer, and sunscreen during the day. At night, add a retinol or vitamin c to combat aging of fine lines and dull skin, respectively.
Less is more, as mentioned. When choosing products, read labels and find things that work with your skin type. If you’re unsure of any of this, avoid fragrances or any harsh ingredients that may irritate skin. Products go on easier when used sparingly; just because you have a big bottle or punishment doesn’t mean that if you’re slathering it on, you’ll get better results. Have you ever used a new product for the first time and loved it because it felt so great on your skin? That’s the kind of joy products can and should bring to life.
Keep in mind that having a few good products to use daily creates a better regime than using too many or sporadically. Your skin will appreciate the consistency and younger looking over time.
Avoid Smoking and Limit Alcohol
Smoking is one of the absolute worst things to not only age your skin but also make it look older than it is. Smoking decreases blood circulation which creates a sallow, dull complexion. In addition, smoking breaks down collagen which adds to wrinkles and sagging skin. If you smoke, the best thing you can do for your skin is to stop.
Your skin will retain clues when you’ve been drinking or excessive smoking.
Consider alcohol dehydrates you. Your skin is the largest organ on your body. When it’s dehydrated, it dries up and becomes less elastic. Alcohol makes skin puffy or red, too. This isn’t to say you can’t ever enjoy a drink in your life; moderation is always key. But regulating your intake and perhaps balancing drinks with water when out socially will not only make you feel better in the morning being hydrated, but your skin will appreciate it, too.
Now consider how great your skin looks when you’re not drinking or excessively smoking. It doesn’t take much for your skin to gain a natural glow (or to avoid an unhealthy one). Therefore, keep these vices to a minimum when you can.
Conclusion
You don’t need to go overboard or spend excessive amounts of time to enjoy younger looking skin. Simple, effective daily actions like drinking water, easy sun protection and sleep can do the trick. Combined with a balanced diet, exercise and stress relief, what we do inside to build our bodies supports what we do externally to promote skin stability. Finally, a minimalist skincare routine with three or four multifunctional products sustains skin integrity and glow.
In essence, these tips for younger looking skin can easily become part of anyone’s lifestyle. They require no extra time or cost as they’re things people can start doing right away—from downing one additional glass of water to incorporating daily sunscreen use in the morning. Over time, these small changes will become the new normal for wellness—health and skin health—and younger looking skin is at their fingertips just waiting to be accessed, one day at a time starting right now.