If you are already blessed with younger-looking skin, then consider yourself lucky. If you wish your skin looked younger than it does now, then all hope is not lost, as there are things you can do to reverse the aging process. Either way, once you have it, you need to do whatever you can to maintain younger-looking skin.
The first step is to minimize or completely stop any damage that you are doing to your skin. There will always be natural processes at work that you have little control over, but the things that you can control have a major impact on the appearance of your skin. Here are a few things you can do to maintain younger-looking skin.
1. Eat a balanced and nutritious diet. Good nutrition is important for every part of your body, and that includes your skin. Eat a wide range of whole foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, low-fat dairy, healthy fats, and whole grains. Taking a multi-vitamin is better than nothing, but it is a poor substitute for real and wholesome food.
2. Avoid too much exposure to the sun. You shouldn't be afraid of the sun because your body needs sunlight to synthesize vitamin D. At the same time, however, you don't want to overdo it. Some people think they need to get a good sunburn at the beginning of beach season. The theory is that this will somehow provide a good base for tanning as the season progresses. Bad move! Sunburn is one of the worst things for your skin, and it's impossible to undo all of its effects.
3. Drink plenty of fluids. Your skin needs a lot of moisture to look its best. You can buy moisturizers to apply to the top of the skin, and they will help a lot, but you also need to moisturize your skin from the inside-out. If you find you're getting thirsty, then it's a sign that you aren't getting enough fluids. However, beverages that contain alcohol or caffeine can have the opposite effect, so drink those in moderation.
4. If you smoke, quit. Most people are aware that smoking increases the risk of getting all sorts of diseases, but what they don't know is that smoking makes your skin look awful. If you smoke, and want to maintain younger-looking skin, then you need to quit now. If you use toner, make sure that it doesn't contain alcohol. Any exfoliating should be mild, and only done occasionally. Moisturizers that contain humectants will not only moisturize your skin, but will also lock in moisture.
These simple tips will help you to maintain younger-looking skin, but they are only the beginning. The more information you have, the better you will be able to take care of your skin properly. Also, take some time to try different skin care products until you find the ones that work best for you.
