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When I was younger, I hated my squishy round babyface. I wanted to look older and more mature. I can’t believe I ever felt that way! Now in my 30s, I am all about the routines and products that will give me younger looking skin. Of course, I can’t keep a secret, so I am going to share my tips and tricks for having younger looking skin with you!
Avoid These Things
In case you need a refresher, there are certain things you should avoid in order to look youthful.
Prolonged exposure to sunlight and artificial light
Besides causing skin cancer, prolonged exposure to light causes wrinkles and leathery skin. If you want to be tan, get a spray tan or use an at-home tanning product.
Stress
There is an entire field devoted to how stress and other psychological factors can affect your skin. Stress can cause acne, hives, eczema, and a variety of other skin conditions. If you are interested in learning more or if you are skeptical, just google psyhchodermatalogy.
Lack of sleep
Dr. Elam Baron, director of the Skin Study Center at University Hospitals, said that “Sleep-deprived women show signs of premature skin aging and a decrease in their skin’s ability to recover after sun exposure.”
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages dehydrate your body and make it harder for you to absorb water. This dehydration leads to yucky looking skin the next day. Imagine what it will do after years of drinking! Alcohol is also known to make the skin flushed and red. Those suffering from rosacea often find their symptoms worse after drinking.
Smoking
When you run into a person that has smoked their entire lives, you can tell. They have a smoker’s chin with a ton of wrinkles. Smoking can also lead to wrinkling faster because the chemicals in cigarettes break down the skin. Smoking also stains your teeth. Not a good look.
Drugs
Cocaine, meth, heroin, and oxycodone are just a few examples of drugs that can have terrible effects on your skin. Inflamed nostrils, facial sores, scabs, and flushed skin will all age you fast.
Related reading: 10 Skincare Mistakes You Are Making
What To Do Instead
If you are doing some of the major no-nos listed above, it isn’t too late. You will need to work on reducing the negative, while you start incorporating the things you should be doing.
Use products made for your skin type and skin issues.
Just because your BFF or some beauty guru on YouTube swears by XYZ moisturizer, it doesn’t mean it will work for you. If you have dry skin you likely can’t use the same products as your oily skinned bestie.
The same goes for products that target specific issues. If you have texture issues a product that is meant to address texture is going to work better than a product that plumps and hydrates the skin.
Use your products in the right order.
To get the most out of your skincare products, you need to be applying them in the correct order. You’ll want to start with thinner products and work your way up to thicker. You’ll also want to apply any water-based product before an oil-based product.
Related reading: The Correct Order To Apply Your Skincare Products
Use an eye cream daily.
If you can only afford to invest in one product to help you look younger, it needs to be eye cream. Crow’s feet and bags under the eyes are going to age you fast. If we are being completely honest, I have three different eye products that I keep on rotation because I am that obsessed with eye cream.
Here are a few of our favorites: Dew It All // Banana Bright // Peptide Eye Gel
Use retinol and not just on your face.
If you really want to have younger looking skin, you will need to use a retinol product. Skincare care has come a long way and there so many retinol products available. Just a warning, you will need to introduce any retinol-based product into your skincare routine skincare slowly. If you have sensitive skin you may want to opt for a plant-based alternative like bakuchiol.
If you want to have younger looking skin, you have to think beyond the face and neck. Thinks about your hands. Old looking hands will make you look older. Using a hand lotion will help keep your hands soft and smooth, but if you want softer and smoother hands, you’ll need a hand cream with retinol in it.
Bring your products further down.
Speaking of thinking beyond the face, you need to be using your skincare products farther down your neck. When applying serum or moisturizer, you’ll want to make sure you apply it to the front of your neck all the way to the top part of the chest.
I know that sounds crazy but you want all of the skin around your face to look younger. Honestly, after a month of applying all of your products further down, you will do it without even thinking about it. I promise.
Product Recommendations
Through years of testing different products, I’ve got a pretty long list of really great product recommendations for all types of skin issues and skin types. For anti-aging in particular, I highly recommend anything from Caudalie’s Premier Cru line. Yes, the products are pricey, but you get what you pay for. If you are looking for something more affordable, Olay is a great option, especially the new fragrance-free retinol night cream.
