Most people don’t want to appear older than they are, and they don’t want to get wrinkles and damaged skin when they are still young. While there is no magic “fountain of youth” remedy, there are a few tips you can use to maintain youthful skin for longer.
Quit Skin-Damaging Habits
The first thing you should do is to quit bad habits, namely drinking alcohol and smoking. Learning how to quit vaping and replacing your alcoholic drinks will lead to you having better and healthier looking skin.
Both of these habits will dry out your skin and make it lose its elasticity, which then leads to you looking older and developing wrinkles much quicker than if you didn’t drink or smoke at all.
Cleanse Regularly
Next, you should start cleaning your face on a regular basis, preferably twice a day. Cleaning your face rids it of dirt and old skin cells, allowing it to look its cleanest and best. Think of it like cleaning a car; what looks better, a freshly washed car or one that just drove through mud?
While this is an extreme example, you will notice an instant difference in your skin after you start cleaning it on a regular basis.
Exfoliate
Exfoliating isn’t something that needs to be done every day, but it is something that should be done at least once or twice a week. It is a way to deep clean your skin and shed any excess oil and skin cells on your face.
Exfoliating is very useful for those with oily skin as it will keep it free of dirt and lower the chances of a breakout. Exfoliating simply removes “old skin” and allows your newer, fresher skin to come to the surface.
Use Sunscreen
One mistake that so many people make is thinking that sunscreen is only needed when you are by the pool, going to the beach, or spending all day outside. The truth is, you don’t have to be outside for very long for the sun to damage your skin.
Use Self-Tanner Instead of the Sun
If you are someone who likes to tan or have that slight glow on their skin, once again, avoid the sun or sunbeds. Both dry out your skin drastically, which, as mentioned above, will cause damage and wrinkles at a much faster rate.
Instead, opt for a self-tanner that you apply or go for a spray-on tan. Both, when done correctly, will give you the same effect but without the damage.
Eat a Healthy Diet
One of the best and easiest things you can do is simply to tweak your diet. It is fairly common knowledge at this point that what you eat will have an effect on your skin. Many people can attest to eating fast food and then waking up the next day with a pimple or two.
If you eat clean and healthy food, your skin will be clean and healthy. While you don’t have to be super strict, you will still see results by simply cutting down on fast food, soda, junk food, etc.
Warm, Not Hot Showers
Another small change that makes a huge difference is showering and bathing in warm water instead of hot water. This is because hot water has the same effect as the sun; it dries out and damages your skin over time.
Instead, shower and bath in warm water, and then moisturise while your skin is still damp; this allows the moisturiser to trap the excess water, hydrating your skin even more.
Use a Humidifier in Winter
Surprising to some, Winter and the cold weather it brings can have similar effects too the sun. The cold, dry weather drastically dries out your skin, and if you already suffer with dry skin, moisturiser won’t be enough.
To combat this, it is best to invest in a humidifier. Being able to add much-needed moisture into the air will stop your skin from drying out completely. Be warned, though, too much humidity could clog your pores and cause breakouts.
Change Your Skincare Routine When Needed
Finally, while a skincare routine is essential, watching and listening to your skin is also important. There are multiple factors that will change its needs, such as a change of climate because you are travelling or a day that is substantially hotter or more humid than any others.
Don’t just stick to your regular routine if your skin has different needs, as this can cause it to dry out, become oily, cause breakouts, etc.
While keeping your skin looking healthy and youthful can take time and patience, there are many steps you can take to not only ensure it looks its best on a regular basis but also for it to look great ten, twenty, or even thirty years down the line; the choices you make now can and will have a lasting effect.