Aging is a natural part of life, and while you can’t stop the clock, you can surely control how you look as the years go by. Aging is a process that shakes the confidence of many, but some people seem to defy it altogether. How do they do it?
The secret lies in two key factors: genetics and a healthy lifestyle. If you weren’t lucky enough to inherit those youthful genes, don’t worry! You can still adopt a vibrant lifestyle that keeps you looking young and fabulous.
Plenty of simple habits can help you achieve this goal without using needles and going under the knife. All you need is a little know-how, motivation, and self-discipline. Here are 16 habits that will make you look younger than your peers.
1. Wear Sunscreen Daily
Make sunscreen your best friend, and your skin will thank you as you age. Sun damage doesn’t spare anyone, irrespective of what race and color you belong to. Constant sun exposure without sun protection can cause sunspots or liver spots, wrinkles, and fine lines.
Using broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 daily (even on cloudy days) can protect your skin from UV rays, which are one of the primary causes of premature aging. Wear hats and sunglasses for protection, and seek shade during peak sun hours.
2. Use Retinol in your 20s
The beauty aisles are flooded with anti-aging products. They all offer promising results, but it’s hard to separate fact from fiction. However, retinol is one ingredient you should start as soon as you hit your 20s.
It’s a Vitamin A derivative and a powerful antioxidant that helps boost collagen and speeds up cell turnover. This can reduce fine lines and help prevent wrinkles. It can also even out your skin tone and improve texture by minimizing pores and reducing acne. Dermatologists recommend starting with a low concentration of retinol to let your skin get used to it and slowly increasing how often you use it.
3. Understand the Color Wheel
The colors you choose for your hair or clothes can significantly impact your appearance and how youthful you look. Opt for colors that complement your skin tone, define your natural features, and bring out the energy in your complexion.
For instance, pale, fair, or pinkish skin tones glow with cool-toned colors (like blues and purples) for clothes and hair dyes. If you are darker, like olive or beige, and tend to tan easily, warmer colors will probably suit you more.
4. Choose a Flattering Hairstyle
A flattering haircut that suits your face shape will make you appear younger. Normally, older women tend to choose a shorter haircut as they age.
This is because wrinkles and puffiness start to become prominent in the upper section of the face. The best technique is to opt for soft layers or bangs to cover these features. Ask your hair dresser for recommendations.
5. Use a Good Eye Cream
One of the most common signs of aging is wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes. When these appear, immediately incorporate a good eye cream into your nighttime routine.
The skin around the eyes is particularly delicate and thinner compared to other face areas, making it more susceptible to aging and environmental damage. This is why using a specialized eye cream is essential: it targets the unique needs of this area. Eye creams contain active ingredients like retinoids and vitamin C, which can smooth out those fine lines.
6. Eat a Clean Diet
Clean eating refers to eating as few processed foods as possible. Feeding your body nutrient-dense foods can help you feel and look your best.
While diet won’t make you age in reverse, it will make you age well. Fruits and vegetables give you vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, promoting the formation of collagen and reducing wrinkles and other signs of aging.
7. Exercise Daily
Regular physical movement is necessary to stay active and maintain youthful vigor. Exercising releases hormones called endorphins that can help you feel happier and more energetic.
At least 30 minutes of daily exercise can help you look younger. It improves blood circulation and gives you a radiant glow.
8. Stay Hydrated
Another key to looking younger is drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Eight glasses of water a day is enough, but it is not mandatory for optimal health and well-being as long as you’re paying attention to thirst cues.
Proper hydration boosts metabolism and keeps radiant skin. It also helps in improving cognitive function and task performance irrespective of your age.
So, the next time your peers are amazed to see you more active than them, tell them how adequate hydration did you wonders!
9. Sleep Well
Doctors recommend sleeping at least 7 hours a day. It is a surefire way to look radiant and younger. When you sleep, your skin repairs itself by improving blood circulation, which reduces the appearance of aging signs.
One research study also says that poor sleep quality is linked to increased signs of aging, and the skin will not be able to recover from environmental stressors like sun exposure quickly.
10. Keep your Hormones Balanced
With age, the hormones within our bodies start to change. This process starts and continues with time, especially when you reach your 30s.
For women, once their menopausal phase starts, estrogen production decreases, and they might look and feel old due to dulling skin. For most men, hormone reduction can cause issues in intimate life. These issues can be resolved by using natural remedies like herbal products. In some cases, Hormone Replacement Therapy is also an option.
11. Stay Away from Stress
Although stress is a part of everyone’s life, it is important to unwind and recharge at the end of the day. Just like our minds, stress eats away at our bodies, too.
Chronic stress will shrink your prefrontal cortex, which is the part of the brain necessary for memory. It also leads to higher levels of inflammation, resulting in your body showing signs of aging earlier on. You must keep your stress levels in check by practicing mindfulness and meditation.
12. Quit Smoking
Smoking is harmful not just to your lungs but to your skin, too. Studies suggest that smoking is one of the main reasons behind premature aging, causing fine lines and wrinkles.
Cigarettes contain tobacco, which constricts blood vessels and reduces blood flow to the skin. As a result, many smokers have a grayish, wasted appearance.
13. Wear Makeup
Makeup is a powerful tool to enhance your facial features. But only tasteful makeup can do so.
The most common sign of aging is crow’s feet, which appear next to the eyes as we age. Prepping and covering them lightly with foundation or powder will help smooth out the fine lines.
14. Limit Alcohol and Caffeine
It’s common for people in the U.S. to consume caffeinated beverages daily. However, its excessive intake can make you look and feel older than your age.
The components in alcohol make the skin dry and release more urine. This causes dehydration and skin sagging. Meanwhile, excessive caffeine can cause anxiety and insomnia.
15. Try Regular Facial Massages
Facial massages help to improve blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. Good circulation delivers essential nutrients and oxygen to the skin cells, producing collagen.
Lymphatic drainage helps remove toxins and reduce puffiness, leaving the skin more plump and fresh.
16. Have an Optimistic Attitude
You shouldn’t underestimate the power of a positive attitude. It can significantly improve your overall well-being, help you navigate challenges with resilience, and boost your mood.
As the saying goes, a curious mind is a youthful mind. Keep your curiosity alive so that your body and mind feel happy and healthy.
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Aqsa is a passionate writer who loves spending her free time jotting down her thoughts. But that’s not all. She is a devoted mom to two boys and a skilled pharmacist specializing in hematology. When she’s not running after her energetic kids, you can find her lost in a good book or writing beautiful words. A nature lover at heart, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, staying active, and always seeking ways to learn new things.
Aqsa is a passionate writer who loves spending her free time jotting down her thoughts. But that's not all. She is a devoted mom to two boys and a skilled pharmacist specializing in hematology. When she's not running after her energetic kids, you can find her lost in a good book or writing beautiful words. A nature lover at heart, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, staying active, and always seeking ways to learn new things.
