When we’re in our 20s, we’re not thinking about aging. We’re young, beautiful and invincible. So bring on those spring breaks on the beach and weekends binge drinking to unwind from all those lame college courses!

But then we hit our 30s and for some of us, that’s when everything starts coming out of the woodwork! All those wrinkles, sagging skin and discoloration. That’s when we panic and scramble for the latest fad beauty cream to erase all our past mistakes.

Sadly, it’s too late now. By the time your skin shows visible signs of aging, there’s little that can be done to reverse the damage. However, what you may be able to do is slow down the process.

Which is why this information is so crucial for the younger generation because you’re in the best position to prevent skin-aging before it even starts!

Follow the eight tips below to enjoy younger looking skin well into your 50s!

Tip #1: Wear Sun Protection

90% of skin aging is caused by the sun. Please read that again. 75% of that damage happens by the time you are 20 years-old.

Let that sink in.

I’ve talked about this in a previous post. The most powerful product to preserve and protect your skin is SUNSCREEN. It needs to have an SPF of at least 30. SPF 50 is preferable because of how prevalent poor sunscreen application is. You need to reapply throughout the day, 365 days a year, rain or shine. Yes, this applies to you no matter what color your skin is!

Other effective sun protection measures that should join your sunscreen routine include:

  • wide-brimmed hats
  • wrap-around sunglasses
  • sun protective clothing
  • staying in the shade

Tip #2: Don’t Smoke

According to the Mayo Clinic, nicotine narrows blood vessels. With less blood flowing to your skin, it won’t get as much oxygen and important nutrients like Vitamin A. Plus, many of the 4,000+ chemicals in tobacco smoke damage collagen and elastin which will lead to premature sagging and wrinkles in your skin.

Don’t ever start smoking! If you already have, please consider quitting. For your skin’s sake. And oh yeah, because it causes lung cancer.

Tip #3: Get More Sleep

According to a study commissioned by Estee Lauder, they were able to conclusively demonstrate that inadequate sleep is connected to poor skin health and accelerated skin aging.

Sleep deprived women show signs of premature skin aging and a decrease in their skin’s ability to recover after sun exposure.

-Dr. Elma Baron, MD

Quit those midnight study sessions and partying all night long. Get at least eight hours of sleep or be like me and brag about getting nine hours of sleep each night!

Tip #4: Don’t Drink Excessively

Alcohol dehydrates the entire body, including your skin. Heavy drinking accelerates skin aging which leads to wrinkles, puffiness, dryness, red cheeks and purple capillaries.

Just how much is too much? Stick to less than six drinks a week. And for the love of God, don’t down all of those in one night!

Tip #5: Relax Your Face

Stop frowning, grimacing or making faces. All that excessive gesturing is pulling your skin and accelerating the formation of wrinkles and fine lines.

Tip #6: Exercise

According to The New York Times, exercising may be able to reverse skin aging in people who start exercising late in life. More research needs to be done, however, and there’s no evidence that it will reverse wrinkles or sun damage.

Tip #7: Eat Healthy

Research shows that consuming more Vitamin C can help regenerate skin cells, reduce wrinkles and fight against ultraviolet aging of your skin when exposed to sunlight. Diets that mostly consist of fruits and vegetables have been associated with healthier skin among women.

Tip #8: Consider Topical Vitamin A

As I mentioned in my previous post on the only two products proven to support younger looking skin, Vitamin A, which has been studied for decades, has been proven to reverse the signs of aging. These would be your Retin A/tretinoin, Differin/adapalene and retinol products. An investment in one of these may be worth your while.

Takeaway:

The best way to enjoy younger looking skin for as long as possible is to take care of it early. Starting a sunscreen regimen in your teens and sticking with it for the rest of your life is essential. In addition, a number of healthy lifestyle choices will help along the way. That includes staying away from tobacco products and limiting alcohol consumption. Finally, prescription Vitamin A products have been proven to preserve and prevent signs of skin aging and may be worth the investment.

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