Secrets to looking 10 years younger at any age

By: Marie-Ange D. Tardieu, MD

If you're in your 40s, 30s, or even 20s, you may not be thinking about how you can look 10 years younger. But trust us, now is the time to start! The choices you make today will determine how you look in the future. So, if you want to look young with radiant skin for years to come, read on for our best secrets.

1. Protect your skin from the sun. Too much sun exposure, and its Ultraviolet (UV) rays are one of the leading causes of premature aging, including wrinkles, age spots, and dryness. So be sure to apply sunscreen every day—even when it's cloudy!—and wear protective clothing when you'll be outdoors for extended periods of time. Make sunscreen a part of your daily skincare routine, even when it's not sunny outside. So, if you want to keep your skin looking its best, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day—rain or shine. Reapply every two hours when you're outdoors, and more often if you're swimming or sweating.

2. Don't smoke. Smoking cigarettes is one of the worst things you can do for your skin—and your overall health. In addition to causing wrinkles around your mouth from repeated pursing of the lips, smoking speeds up the process of skin aging by destroying collagen (a protein that gives skin its elasticity) and damaging elastin (a protein that enables skin to snap back into place). Smoking also decreases blood flow to the skin, resulting in a dull complexion. If you currently smoke cigarettes, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your skin—and your health.

3. Eat a healthy diet. The foods you eat play a major role in keeping your skin looking its best. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables helps protect against damage from UV rays, while also providing essential vitamins and minerals that keep skin healthy and glowing. Omega-3 fatty acids are another key ingredient for healthy skin; these fats help reduce inflammation and keep skin hydrated. To get plenty of omega-3s in your diet, eat salmon, nuts, seeds, and avocado regularly. And don’t forget about water! Staying hydrated by drinking eight glasses of water a day will also help keep your skin looking its best.

3. Stay active. Exercise not only helps you maintain a healthy weight, but it also boosts collagen production and improves blood circulation—both of which help keep your skin looking young and radiant. Just 20 to 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week can make a big difference.

4. Take care of your mental health. Your mental health plays a big role in how you look and feel each day. If you're feeling stressed or anxious, it can show up in your appearance. So be sure to take time for yourself each day to meditate, spend time in nature, relax and recharge. Taking care of yourself inside and out is the best way to maintain a youthful appearance at any age.
   
   
5. Get enough sleep. During sleep, your body repairs itself from the damage caused by stress and UV rays during the day. When you don't get enough rest, it shows on your face in the form of dark circles under your eyes, puffy eyelids, and dull, lifeless skin. So, be sure to get a minimum of seven to eight hours of sleep every night. You'll wake up feeling refreshed, and your skin will thank you for it.
   
   
6. Start a great skin care regimen early in life. At Tardieu Skin Clinic, they recommend that every young woman and young man start to include anti-aging products in their skincare regimen when they turn 20. At a minimum, this regimen should include a cleanser appropriate for your skin type, an antioxidant, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Your choice of products should depend on your age, your skin type, and any specific skin problems you may have. Starting a great skincare regimen early in life can help you maintain your skin smooth and to look years younger for at least a while until you reach age 60 and beyond. Therefore, from age 20 and on, your best skin care regimen must focus on: Cleanse, boost collagen formation, hydrate, protect and exfoliate.

Making small tweaks to your lifestyle with a great skin care regimen, and following these guidelines, can pay off big time later, when it comes to the health and appearance of your skin. By following these simple tips, you can expect to enjoy beautiful, youthful - looking skin for years to come.

For additional information and to get updates about skincare and skinhealth, please visit Skin-Post.com and DrTardieu.com

DISCLAIMER

The contents of this article are for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The information provided here is based on research and anecdotal evidence and experience, and does not constitute a professional opinion or recommendation. Before undergoing treatments and/or procedures, please consult your qualified health specialist, skin specialist, plastic surgeon, or cosmetic dermatologist to ensure that mentioned skin treatments is safe for you. Additionally, individual results may vary and any perceived benefits of treatments/procedures should not be taken as a guarantee of similar outcomes for each patient.