The 10 Commandments of Anti-Aging

We are all in a race against time. Our common goal? To achieve younger-looking skin. Luckily, it’s not an impossible feat.  Below, ten anti-aging skin care tips—in no particular order of importance—that can help reduce the appearance of aging skin.    

1. WEAR SUNSCREEN EVERY DAY

You’ve heard it before and we’ll say it again, don’t skip an application of sunscreen, ever. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays—present in three main types: UVA, UVB, and UVC—are the main culprits of sun damage on the skin, which can manifest as age spots, discoloration, wrinkles, or more serious offenses like cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, UVA and UVB rays are the most damaging of the bunch; UVA rays are linked to fine lines and wrinkles and UVB rays cause sunburns and are linked to most skin cancers. So wearing SPF daily—and reapplying often, rain or shine—is essential for protecting the skin.

2. USE ANTI-AGING PRODUCTS

We can’t turn back time and make ourselves any younger, but there are steps we can take to minimize the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots and prevent new ones from forming. Vitamin C serums can help improve the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness. Try SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic for visible anti-aging benefits and a brighter-looking complexion. Using retinol—a clinically-proven ingredient to help improve the appearance of aging skin—at night is also useful for helping to diminish the appearance of wrinkles. We like SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0. 

3. MOISTURIZE

According to the Mayo Clinic, dry skin can lead to premature fine lines and wrinkles. Moisturizers can’t prevent wrinkles, but they can make sure skin is constantly hydrated and less prone to drying out. Opt for a daily moisturizer with built-in broad-spectrum sunscreen—you know, to protect against those UV rays we won’t shut up about—like Garnier Clearly Brighter Anti-Sun Damage Daily Moisturizer. It’s formulated with an antioxidant complex of vitamin C, E, and LHA to help reduce the look of dark spots, age spots, and discoloration, as well as improve the skin’s texture and reduce wrinkles for radiant, younger-looking skin. 

Helpful tip: One of the best times to moisturize your skin is immediately after a shower while it’s still damp to help lock in moisture.

4. STOP SMOKING

If you’re having trouble kicking your smoking habit to the curb, read on for some motivation. According to the Mayo Clinic, "smoking can accelerate the normal aging process of your skin and contribute to wrinkles." Those wrinkles are not only limited to your face, either. Increased wrinkling and skin damage on other parts of the body is also associated with smoking.

5. DON’T PICK AT YOUR SKIN

If you’re breaking out and start to pick at your blemishes, you run the risk of leaving marks and discoloration on your face. Those spots can rob you of a clear complexion and make your skin look less radiant and youthful. Plus, hands can transfer dirt, oil, and bacteria to the face and lead to a vicious cycle of continued breakouts. No, thank you!

6. AVOID REPEATED FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

Squinting and smiling, repetitively, can lead to fine lines and wrinkles. As skin ages, it loses its flexibility and has a tougher time springing lines and wrinkles back into place, according to the Mayo Clinic. We’re not advising you to boycott smiling, but if you have a habit of constantly moving your facial muscles—think: furrowing your brow or raising your forehead muscles—try to lessen it when possible.

7. DRINK WATER

We keep our skin hydrated on the outside with moisturizers and creams, and it’s important to hydrate on the inside, too. Ditch sugary drinks and opt for water to  stay hydrated throughout the day. 

8. GET YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP

A good night’s sleep is important for skin health. (It’s called beauty sleep, after all). Sleep deprivation can accelerate the aging process since damaged surface cells become repaired during deep sleep. In addition, if you’re continuously waking up with puffy bags and dark circles under your eyes due to a lack of shut-eye, your wrinkles may appear more visible. Make sure you’re getting the recommended number of hours each night, and don’t fall victim to any poor sleeping habits.

9. EAT RIGHT

Maintaining a healthy diet of colorful fruits and vegetables is not only beneficial for your waistline, but for your skin as well. Incorporate antioxidant-rich foods and nutrients into your meals and steer clear of refined sugars and alcohol.

10. ELIMINATE STRESS 

Our skin is no exception to the wrath of stress. “Stress can lead to elevated levels of cortisol, which can hurt your skin’s quality,” says Skincare.com expert and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman.  Opt for a zen moment when you can and pencil in an at-home spa day!