A Quick and Simple Guide to Youthful Skin

You're young, and your skin is still bright and full of life. But — not to be the bearer of bad news — the aging process is inevitable. And that means now is the time to start thinking about guarding your skin against it! Even if you can't see it right now, your skin loses at least 1% of its elasticity each year. As time goes on, it will become thinner and hold less moisture. By the time you hit 40, you'll see more prominent wrinkles and fine lines. And if you also happen to practice certain lifestyle habits (smoking and drinking, for instance), you're likely to speed up these processes.

Don't worry, though! It's never too late to start preserving your youthful skin. Below, we'll offer a quick and simple guide to help you minimize the effects of aging over time.

Revamp your lifestyle

Your lifestyle plays a big role in how you age. Consider for example,  a 2019 study, which found that smoking and drinking result in premature signs of aging in the face. Provided this information, we know that eliminating habits like these can help you maintain a youthful look for longer.

Meanwhile, incorporating healthy substances like Vitamin A, iron, and beta carotene into your diet can keep your skin healthy while promoting skin cell turnover. These nutrients are found in fatty fish as well as yellow and orange fruits and vegetables. Regular sleep and exercise also help by increasing blood flow and strengthening your skin barrier; drinking eight glasses of water a day also benefits you, by keeping your skin hydrated.

Be gentle on your skin

Using harsh soaps, physical exfoliants, and hot water tends to strip away natural oils and healthy bacteria. Instead, try gentle cleansers, chemical exfoliants, and lukewarm water to keep your skin microbiome balanced and healthy. Infection can also disturb this balance, so do your best not to touch your face too much throughout the day.

Also, don't forget your neck! The skin here is thinner and likely to show signs of aging first, so always do for your neck whatever you do to help your face. Applying skincare products with a face and neck massage will also increase circulation, further promoting skin cell turnover.

Slather on the moisturizer

Your face, neck, and ears are exposed to the environment the most, so they shed skin more frequently than the rest of your body. Any moisture you provide will help your skin repair itself faster. If you're building an anti-aging skincare routine, look for products with retinoids, peptides, glycerin, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. Retinoids and peptides repair skin damage while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Meanwhile, glycerin and hyaluronic acid draw moisture into the skin, and ceramides lock it in.

Make it a habit to moisturize within three minutes following a bath, as this prevents water loss while keeping bacteria off your skin.

Minimize sun exposure

As we've previously discussed, sun protection is probably the simplest and most effective thing you can do to achieve that youthful glow. Stay out of the sun as much as possible between the hours of 10am and 4pm, when UV levels are at their highest and can damage deeper levels of your skin. If this happens consistently, you may see signs of premature aging or even skin cancer. More importantly, apply a mineral sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day, no matter what; UV rays can penetrate even through clouds and windows. If you're out and about, reapply sunscreen every two hours, or immediately after swimming or sweating profusely.

On the whole, it's easier than you may think to maintain youthful skin as you get older! It does take dedication, though. By sticking to these tips, you can only age more gracefully over time.

What skin care tips can you share? Comment below and keep the conversation going!