1. Take Collagen Supplements
One of the most important ingredients to add to your routine to keep your skin looking young is collagen. It plays a lot of different roles in the body - one of its most important roles is in the skin. In the dermis, the middle layer of skin, collagen forms a fibrous network of cells. This binding of collagen proteins helps keep your skin looking young and supple. While our bodies produce collagen naturally, unfortunately, as we age, we start to produce less and less collagen.
2. Protect Your Skin from the Sun
Sun damage can be very difficult to reverse, which is why protecting your skin from sun damage is vital. Wearing sunscreen every day is the best way to protect your skin from the sun. Even if it’s cloudy outside, the sun’s UVA and UVB rays can still cause damage to your skin, so don’t skimp on sunscreen!
3. Apply Moisturizer Daily
Moisturizer traps water in the skin, giving it a more youthful appearance. Apply moisturizer in the morning and at night to keep your skin looking young. Don’t forget to apply moisturizer to your neck as well, as it’s often the first part of the body to show signs of aging.
4. Use Retinoid Products
Retinoids are an essential ingredient to add to your skincare routine. Retinoids are a topical vitamin A-based chemical compound that can be very beneficial for skin health and appearance. They encourage cell turnover, soften wrinkles, stimulate collagen, fade pigmentation, and help treat acne. All of these benefits can lead to a more youthful glow.
5. Eat a Healthy Diet
Keeping your skin looking young starts from the inside. Make sure you’re eating plenty of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins. You should also try to avoid processed and sugary foods.
6. Drink Plenty of Water
In addition to eating a healthy diet, make sure you drink plenty of water. Keeping your body hydrated on the inside will lead to more moisturized and youthful-looking skin on the outside. Drinking water consistently can be tough. The best way to form a habit is to keep a water bottle with you at all times and sip from it throughout the day. If plain water doesn’t tickle your fancy, add some lemon or cucumber to your water.
7. Get Plenty of Sleep
There’s a reason they say you need to “get your beauty sleep.” Sleep plays an essential role in the look of your skin! Sleeping helps prevent dark circles under the eyes, puffy eyes, and pale skin. Sleep also plays a long-term role in the appearance of your skin. Research published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology found that skin cell growth and repair occur in the evening. By getting plenty of sleep, you give your skin time to repair itself.
8. Sweat it Out
It’s no secret that working out is good for your overall health. But many people don’t realize that working out is also great for your skin. Exercising increases your blood flow, which helps nourish your skin cells. Blood flow also helps eliminate waste products from your body, keeping your skin glowing and young-looking.
9. Avoid Alcohol, Caffeine, and Smoking
While there’s nothing wrong with indulging in a good latte or martini every once in a while, excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption can wreak havoc on your skin. Both beverages dehydrate your skin and rob your body of key nutrients. And while smoking is bad for you for many reasons, it’s especially bad for your skin. Nicotine causes your blood vessels to contract, leading to reduced oxygen flow and nutrients to the skin.
10. Exfoliate Your Skin
While we don’t recommend using harsh products on your skin regularly, a good exfoliator can do wonders for your skin. Lightly exfoliating your skin with a non-irritating acid cleanser will dissolve dead skin cells on the surface of your skin to reveal a smooth layer of skin underneath. This new layer of skin will better absorb your skincare products, brightening your complexion and giving your skin a youthful glow.
Keeping your skin young-looking doesn’t require pouring thousands of dollars into expensive spa treatments. By taking care of your body from the inside out and feeding it the right products, you can have glowing skin that others will envy.
