How to Make Skin Look Younger and Healthier

Ah, youth. Something we all take for granted when we have it.

Then we spend the rest of our lives chasing after it wondering where it went! There are plenty of benefits that come with age though, don’t get me wrong.

But sometimes, we just want to maintain that youthful appearance on the outside to reflect how we feel on the inside, right? I mean, who actually feels like the age that they are?

Luckily, a healthy skin care routine and some lifestyle changes can help you achieve that youthful appearance. Not to mention that these tips will also have your whole body aging in a more balanced and healthful way.

But your skin won’t stop aging on its own. So it’s up to you to work alongside your aging process while treating your skin to the very best of health and beauty.

So, are you ready to soak in all of these health benefits you could be treating your skin to? Then keep reading!

See Related: Why Is The Skin Under My Lips Dry?

#1. Cleanse, tone, and moisturize

A good skin care routine can truly go a long way. But if you’re not sure where to start, just refer to your ABCs… well, in this case, your CTM’s.

CTM stands for cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. And these are the very products that should be at the core of your skincare regimen.

Every day, your skin goes through a significant amount of stress. Talking, smiling, laughing, blinking, etc.

And over time, these constant movements contribute to the skin aging process. This might mean fine lines or dark circles under the eyes, not to mention wrinkles in lots of other places as well.

But clearing your skin’s foundation each day with a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer can help strengthen your skin cells. And they may better combat the amount of stress your skin inevitably goes through.

Additionally, using an eye cream can help reduce puffiness and dark circles. So you’ll be looking and feeling dewy-eyed on the inside and out.

Taking the time every morning and every night to go through this CTM regimen will have your skin thanking you for such TLC. (So many acronyms, I know).

#2. Wear sunscreen

Okay, another acronym coming at you. But I bet you’ll recognize this one better than the last two.

SPF. Sun exposure is the quickest way to speed up the appearance of those fine lines and wrinkles.

Sun exposure through UV rays can also cause dark spots, freckles, and hyperpigmentation. Not to mention all that squinting from the sun can cause extra wrinkles around your eyes. 

(Pro Tip: Invest in an eye cream to combat those crow’s feet.) But evening out your skin tone and keeping brown spots away is as easy as applying SPF 30.

And how often should you apply this? Everyday. Yep, even if it’s cloudy outside!

SPF can help protect you from both UVA and UVB rays which can otherwise give you dry skin and wrinkles. And don’t think that sunscreen is for your face alone.

That’s right – lather in on your neck, the back of your hands, and other sensitive areas of your skin. In fact, massage that cream in to make sure your skin gets the most out of your sunscreen.

Then, apply moisturizer to your hands and legs at night. This might seem like a lot of lathering, especially at night when the sun isn’t usually out.

But all of this effort will keep wrinkles at bay without forcing you to give up the sun and its UV rays in the daytime. So spread that cream everywhere and prevent your skin aging at a faster rate.

#3. Drink lots of water

We all know that skin cells need to be properly hydrated. And what’s one of the quickest ways to make sure of that?

Drinking plenty of water! Drinking water can keep your skin looking young and more radiant.

And it can decrease natural signs of aging like lines and wrinkles. Additionally, if you suffer from sagging skin, drinking plenty of water can help your skin tighten to maintain a more healthy glow.

You should aim to drink 8 glasses of water every day. I know that seems like a lot.

But you want to keep looking young, right? Drinking that much water helps to replenish skin cells while limiting cell turnover.

And it flushes your body of any harmful toxins that might otherwise contribute to signs of aging. So drink up and let your skin cells receive all of the benefits water has to offer.

Remember – your body is a plant. And you are its caretaker.

So water it every day. And watch your skin grow into its naturally healthy and youthful appearance.

#4. Know your skin care ingredients

There are plenty of skincare ingredients out there. But there are some in particular that can help maintain healthy-looking skin while making you look younger too!

Retinoids have a ton of anti-aging properties in them. These vitamin A derivatives help to boost collagen production in your skin.

And collagen is the very thing that keeps the foundation of your skin bouncy and resilient. You can easily find a retinol cream at a local drugstore in the health and beauty section.

But if you need a bigger boost, consult your doctor or dermatologist for a prescription retinoid. Then, apply it twice a week to help your skin settle in with its benefits.

Other ingredients that your dermatologist might recommend include alpha-hydroxy acids and hyaluronic acid. Both are commonly used in health and beauty products to maintain youthful-looking skin.

But if you’re looking outside of the topical realm, try collagen supplements or vitamin D. Sure, you can get vitamin D from the sun but remember – too much sun exposure is never good for maintaining healthy skin.

So consider a supplement instead to get the benefits without any harmful side effects. And bask in that youthful glow all while maintaining a natural appearance.

Your skincare routine will obviously depend on your skin type. But these skincare and beauty ingredients will surely help you maintain younger-looking skin while limiting any signs of aging.

#5. Don’t neglect your lips

Ok, you might not think that your lips fall into the category of skincare. But that’s the exact deception that they want you to think!

Dry or chapped lips can actually make you look older than you are. And besides, they’re just plain uncomfortable.

To combat that nasty feeling of rough lips, moisturize them before you go to sleep at night. Moisturizing at night gives your lip enough time to soak up all the benefits of that good-quality balm.

And when you wake up, wear a lip balm with SPF in it so you can continue caring for your lips throughout the day. Even if you wear makeup, lip balm is a must to secure a sturdy foundation.

And the same goes for concealer or any other type of makeup that you put on your face. Think of it like this.

Your skin is a canvas. And it must be wetted before it can be painted on.

Otherwise, the paint might fall off. And it won’t do justice to the beautiful canvas that lays underneath.

Bonus: What Is The Best Under Eye Cream For Dark Circles?

#6. Exercise regularly

I know the motivation isn’t always there to exercise. But now you might have yet another reason to get your butt on that treadmill!

Exercising regularly can actually help you maintain younger-looking skin. Yep, you read that right.

When you exercise, your skin becomes firmer. And this helps to give you a younger look overall.

Exercise infuses oxygen into the skin and increases blood flow. With critical nutrients entering your body through movement, collagen production also gets a boost as well.

Stress can also make your skin age no matter your skin type. But, once again, exercise and movement can lower your stress levels while maintaining your strength and muscle mass.

Exercising might not be your favorite thing to do. But adding a regular workout routine to your health regimen can boost your beauty and help your body age beautifully.

You might not equate beauty with working out. After all, you’re likely sweating and huffing and puffing all the way through!

But anyone with tips for how to get younger-looking skin will tell you that regular exercise is always your best friend. Even if she makes you winded within the first five minutes of the warmup.

#7. Eat fatty acids

Remember how we said the skin loves hydration? Well, you can also boost hydration through the kind of foods that you eat!

No, not just water. We already covered that.

But fatty foods such as salmon, flaxseed, and almonds can also help keep your skin supple. Not to mention that these foods are much better for your health.

You might not think so but certain foods with saturated fat can actually make your skin age prematurely. Dairy products and meats can increase free-radical damage.

And this makes the skin more susceptible to aging. On the other hand, switching to fatty acids like olive oil can help maintain your heart health.

And it can give your skin a boost, making it look younger for longer. So try changing up your diet throughout the week and eat fattier foods!

You may find that your energy levels get a boost. And your dermatologist may also be impressed at how much younger you look.

#8. Get enough sleep

I don’t know about you but I LOVE sleep. And your skin does too!

When your sleep quality is poor, your skin can actually become duller and drier. And this makes it more susceptible to inflammation.

But getting at least 7-9 hours of sleep each night can help you maintain a more youthful appearance. How exactly does it do that?

Well, when you sleep, your body releases hormones that promote cell turnover. And with that consistent renewal, your skin can soak in the benefits of that moisturizer you remembered to put on before you dozed off!

If you want to go even further in your nightly skincare regimen, consider getting a satin pillowcase. Not only will it make you feel fancy as you dream.

It will also be a better alternative for your face as you toss and turn in bed. Cotton pillowcases can be rougher on the skin.

And that constant tug of war you have with your pillow night after night can actually break down the collagen in your skin. And you know what that means.

Wrinkles. So pamper yourself even as you sleep with satin and moisturizer.

You’ll wake up feeling rejuvenated. And your skin will thank you for a night of rest and relief.

#9. Limit and manage stress

Obviously, this one is easier said than done. But it’s so true that stress can wreak havoc on your body and most importantly on your skin.

You know how a single week can feel like a year? Well, it turns out your skin might not even know the difference.

Some studies have shown that emotional upheavals can cause your skin to look five years older than you actually are. So that’s five weeks of unending turmoil if I’m doing my math right.

Constant anxiety releases the hormone cortisol which can cause inflammation. And over time, that essentially breaks down the collagen in your skin, leading to a whole other set of unhappy chain reactions.

So do your best to take yourself out of situations that are stressful or harmful to you. Skincare is about so much more than just beauty.

It’s about wellness and self-care. So do what you can to make your life happier and you’ll find that your skin will be far happier too.

When we were young

Youth is a highly sought-after thing. But if these tips have taught you anything, it’s that age is something far more rewarding than chasing after our days gone by.

So take these tips into account the next time you look in a mirror. Pamper yourself and take the time to get to know what’s underneath.

You’ll find far more beauty inside of you that’s waiting to come out. All you need is a little help from some moisturizer, sleep, water, and good food to go along with it.

Keep Reading: What Does Vitamin C Serum (And Its Benefits) Do For Your Skin?

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For over 60 years, Viviane Woodard has represented “The Purity of Skincare”. We are the leading beauty brand for skin care products and promote the importance of good skin hydration. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for skin care tips, product discounts and more.