Aging is an inevitable process that can’t be reversed. Although many people are embracing the aging process, they still like to look and feel at least slightly younger than they actually are. While aging can’t be reversed or stopped, it can be sped up or slowed down— and that all depends on your actions. Here are five ways that you can achieve and maintain a youthful appearance.
#1: Drink Plenty of Water and Eat Healthily
Your skin is one of the biggest indicators of age, and being dehydrated can make your skin look dull and make wrinkles and age spots more visible. Drinking the recommended amount of water each day can help you keep your skin looking hydrated.
Eating healthy foods also has a positive impact on your skin. You’ll want to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and protein to get optimal benefits. Examples of skin-healthy foods include:
- Sweet potatoes (beta carotene can act as a natural sunblock)
- Salmon (omega-3 fatty acids help hydrate skin)
- Avocados (vitamin E helps protect skin from free radicals)
Drinking plenty of water and eating healthy can also make you feel younger. You’ll have more energy and not feel as tired when you change your diet.
#2: Establish a Good Skincare Routine
While it’s good to focus on skin health from the inside, this doesn’t mean that you should neglect the outside. It’s just as important to establish a good skincare routine. Everyone’s skincare needs are different, but the majority of people should include these products in their skincare routine:
- Gentle cleanser (daily)
- Exfoliating cleanser (weekly)
- Serum (daily/every other day)
- Treatment mask (weekly)
- Moisturizer (daily)
- Sunscreen (daily)
Again, you should tailor your skincare needs to your skin type (oily, dry, combination, etc.), but everyone needs some type of cleanser and sunscreen— especially sunscreen. All skin types and tones should wear at least an SPF 30 sunscreen every day (and in every season) and should reapply this sunscreen when sweating or getting in the water.
#3: Get Active for a Youthful Appearance
As mentioned earlier, the aging process can’t be stopped or reversed, but it can be slowed down. The majority of people already know that exercise is important, but did you know that exercise can potentially slow down the aging process at the cellular level by 10 years? Some of the best exercises to do include:
- Cardio/aerobic activity (helps slow down aging)
- Strengthening activity (strengthens muscles and bones)
- Stretching exercises (improves balance)
The movement also helps move nutrients throughout your body, so exercise combined with a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water can really give you a more youthful appearance. Exercise also helps improve your strength and flexibility, making it less likely that you’ll develop age-related problems like osteoporosis.
#4: Limit Caffeine and Alcohol Intake
Both caffeine and alcohol can dehydrate the body, causing negative effects on the skin. However, both caffeine (plant-based caffeine found in green tea) and alcohol (particularly red wine) also have health benefits. Because of this, you don’t have to necessarily cut out both caffeine and alcohol completely, but you should definitely limit the amount you consume. It’s also a good idea to increase your water intake if you know that you’re going to consume more caffeine or more alcohol (safely and legally) than normal.
#5: Take Care of Your Teeth (Youthful Appearance)
Your skin isn’t the only indicator of aging. Our teeth tend to be yellow over time due to the natural aging process. Brushing and flossing regularly can help keep your teeth healthy and your smile looking youthful.
Unfortunately, poor brushing habits can lead to gum disease, and gum disease leads to tooth decay and loss. When adult teeth become damaged or fall out, there’s no natural way to replace them. The good news is that you can get realistic dentures, implants, or veneers to help restore your smile. Just remember to develop and continue good oral hygiene to keep your teeth healthy.
Two other important things to do to look and feel younger are to cut out bad habits like smoking cigarettes and getting enough sleep at night. Cigarettes cause wrinkles and damage several organs within the body, while not getting enough sleep prevents your body from promoting cell renewal.
You may also think that you should dye your hair if you’re graying to appear younger, but these days, gray hair isn’t always associated with old age. Instead, you should focus on hair health rather than its color or length. When you keep all of these tips in mind, you’ll start feeling and looking younger.