10 Ways To Keep Your Skin Looking Younger For Longer

It is normal to notice fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging on your skin as you age. While there’s nothing you can do to prevent natural skin aging, taking proper care of your skin can help slow down the process.

Skin aging is generally a concern when it happens prematurely, such as the development of aging symptoms in youth. This can occur due to various factors such as pollution, sun exposure, and even stress.

You can easily prevent and delay premature skin aging by following protective and preventive measures. Here’s how you can keep your skin looking younger for longer.

# Use the Right Sunscreen Daily

Your skin is constantly exposed to solar radiation, which contains harmful UV rays. Upon contact with your skin, both UVA and UVB rays produce reactive oxygen species, also known as free radicals, which can damage your tissues, fats, protein fibers, and even DNA.

Furthermore, these reactive oxygen molecules can affect the collagen fibers of your skin, especially in the areas exposed to the sun, such as the neck, face, forearms, and hands. Such damage can lead to aging signs, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration.

This premature aging caused by sun exposure is also known as photoaging. It can also affect your hair protein, causing changes in the hair texture.

# Cleanse Daily, Exfoliate Weekly, but Avoid Overscrubbing

The pores in your skin are home to hair follicles where your hair originates, as well as sebaceous glands that release natural oils to keep your skin moisturized and nourished.

It is common for dirt, oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria to accumulate in your skin pores, causing blockage. This prevents the skin from breathing, increases the risk of infections, and also leads to acne breakouts.

Therefore, it is vital to cleanse your skin to remove the dirt and oil and prevent various skin problems, which can otherwise ultimately lead to the development of signs of skin aging. While the number of times you wash your face in a day depends on your skin types, in general, it is recommended to cleanse your face twice a day.

Specifically, if you have oily or acne-prone skin, wash your face using a cleanser once in the morning and once before bedtime. On the other hand, if you have normal or dry skin, wash your face using a cleanser before bedtime and only with water in the morning.

Make sure to use a mild, nonabrasive cleanser free of sulfates, alcohol, and parabens. Also, wash your hands before touching your face and avoid scrubbing it. Do not use excessively cold or hot water for washing your face. Pat your face dry with a soft towel instead of rubbing it harshly.

# Select a Suitable Moisturizer and Use an Overnight Sleeping Mask

Skin moisturization is one of the most essential parts of skin care. It nourishes the skin and protects it from dryness, dullness, and sagging. Optimum skin moisturization also strengthens your skin’s protective barrier, preventing problems such as infections and dermatitis.

It is suggested to moisturize your skin every time you wash it, preferably when it is still slightly damp. You can use either emollients or humectants for this purpose, which bind moisture to your skin.

You can also use moisturizers with built-in sunscreens or protein rejuvenators that boost skin repair. Make sure to use non-irritating and noncomedogenic moisturizers.

Use water-based moisturizers if you have oily skin or oil-based moisturizers if you have dry skin. Instead of commercial products, you can also use natural moisturizers such as aloe vera gel, shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil, and milk cream

# Pick Beauty Products Carefully and Follow an Expert-Recommended Regimen

You can find various cosmetic products in drugstores and beauty stores, many of which are advertised to treat a skin or beauty problem or to make the skin youthful.

Many people use multiple such products, including makeup removers, toners, serums, face washes, face oils, moisturizers, eye gels, and eye creams, thinking that these will make their skin healthy and glowing.

While some of these products may work for you, it is vital to keep in mind that cosmeceuticals are not regulated by the FDA and are therefore not tested thoroughly.

Also, there are chances that these products can harm your skin, causing irritation and inflammation, ultimately contributing to skin aging signs, especially if they contain chemicals such as harsh acids, formaldehyde, artificial fragrances, and sulfates.

Therefore, it is best to use only those products and brands that are recommended by experts and practitioners. You can also use products containing scientifically proven ingredients such as vitamin A, retinoids, vitamin C, azelaic acid, ferulic acid, kojic acid, phloretin, and proglylcerin for their different benefits.

# Schedule a Dermaplaning Procedure

Dermaplaning is an expert-performed dermatological procedure that is generally used for the treatment of deep acne scars. This procedure involves the use of dermatone, a special device with an oscillating blade.

The blade of the dermatone moves back and forth and removes the superficial skin layers that surround acne marks, pockmarks, and other such defects. It also improves fine lines, wrinkles, and dull skin.

Dermaplaning exfoliates the skin by removing the top layer of skin along with facial hair, including peach fuzz, giving the skin an even, smooth, and young appearance. This procedure is generally safe for people of all ages. However, the effectiveness of the procedure may vary according to your skin type, skin color, and medical history.

# Perform Facial Yoga

Facial yoga strengthens the face muscles, helping firm the jawline and prevent skin sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles. In fact, regularly practicing facial yoga can have the same benefits as a facelift without the cost and risks.

A study demonstrated that facial exercises done continuously for 20 weeks helped improve lower face and midface fullness. The exercises are believed to work by promoting muscle and tissue development in the cheeks.

While there is more evidence needed to establish the efficacy of these exercises, they are likely to help improve facial muscle tone and thus prevent skin aging signs.

Some yoga exercises that you can try for a younger skin are as follows:

- Sit with your head straight.
- Pout your lips and move them to the left, feeling a pull in your cheek.
- Turn your head to your left and look up at a 45° angle.
- Hold the position for 3–5 seconds.
- Move your head back to the center and repeat.
- Repeat the exercise to your right side twice as well.

# Get Plenty of Rest

Proper rest and sleep are essential to your overall health, including your skin health. One night of not-enough sleep can lead to bags under the eyes, and continued improper sleep over many nights can take a toll on your skin.

While you sleep, your skin repairs and rejuvenates itself, fighting off the free radicals that are responsible for premature aging. Therefore, a lack of sleep can, in fact, lead to the development of and can increase premature skin aging signs. It can delay recovery from photodamage as well.

Improper rest can also increase acne severity. Moreover, lack of sleep is often visible on your face, which can affect your social interactions. Therefore, it is essential to get 7–8 hours of sleep every night. It is also suggested to sleep on your back, avoiding touching your face to the pillow as this can constrict your blood vessels and thereby reduce blood circulation to your facial skin.

# Consume a Healthy Diet and Include Superfoods

Your skin health is largely a reflection of what you consume. Therefore, eating a well-balanced, healthy diet that includes fat, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and fiber is essential to maintain your skin health.

In general, it is suggested to consume more fruits and vegetables for healthy, glowing, young-looking skin. Conversely, consuming high amounts of sugar, refined carbohydrates, processed foods, or alcohol can speed up the skin aging process.

Consume at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables in a day. This not only helps improve your skin health but also prevents skin problems that cause premature aging.

Include antioxidant-rich vegetables that are colorful, such as bell peppers, carrots, and tomatoes, in your diet. These help fight the free radicals and therefore protect the skin from oxidative damage.

Also, consume more foods rich in vitamin C, which boosts tissue repair and growth. Foods high in vitamin A or retinoid can improve cell growth and also protect your skin.

# Exercise Regularly

Exercise is vital to maintain your general health. It keeps your metabolism rates up, boosts circulation, reduces stress, and prevents problems such as obesity, neurological problems, and cardiovascular disorders.

Besides, regular exercise is also beneficial for your skin health. It lowers oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in the body while boosting blood circulation. These effects not only prevent skin damage but also increase the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the skin, improving skin health.

In addition, exercising can improve your immune system, therefore preventing skin infections. It also boosts your immunity by improving the gut microflora, which facilitates better nutritional uptake.

Therefore, while exercising doesn’t reverse skin aging, it can help subdue the appearance of aging signs such as skin sagging, wrinkles, and discoloration. It is suggested to include both cardio exercises and resistance training in your exercise schedule.

# Refrain From Smoking

Smoking is deleterious to your health and a major contributor to premature skin aging. It increases the risk of several diseases and causes inflammation in general.

Cigarette smoke can damage the outer protective layer of your skin, making it look dull and damaged. Moreover, the nicotine in cigarettes constricts your blood vessels, leading to poor blood flow. This, in turn, deprives your skin of the proper supply of essential nutrients and oxygen.

Also, among the smoking-related damages, the breakdown of collagen is a significant cause behind skin sagging. Thus, it is vital to quit smoking and also avoid exposure to secondhand smoke as this harmful habit affects your skin health.