There is no possible way to stop the march of time. You may always be getting older, but that doesn't mean that you have to look older. Your skin is the first thing that most people will use to judge your age, therefore it makes sense that taking care of your skin can go a long way towards looking younger. As you will see, you can make skin tougher without looking older.
Your skin has a natural elasticity that starts to degrade as the years go by, and this plays a major role in its appearance. Just to be clear, when referring to "tough skin" we are not talking about making it look like cracked leather. Instead, we are talking about making it more durable (for lack of a better term) and resilient.
Generally speaking, as your skin starts to age, it loses some of its natural defense mechanisms. For example, it gets thinner and less elastic. This causes it to be more susceptible to damage, and any damage that is caused will not be fixed as quickly or completely.
Healthy skin cells produce elastin and collagen; both are vital to making your skin firm, soft, and smooth. What you need to make skin tougher without looking older is do what you can to keep your skin cells healthy. You also need to avoid doing the things that make your skin cells unhealthy. The more things you do to improve the appearance of your skin, the better.
Eating a diet that is rich in vitamins, minerals, protein, and antioxidants is your first line of defense. You can take a multi-vitamin if you must, but it's always best to get your nutrition in the form of food, and not a capsule. You should also be sure that you are drinking plenty of fluids so your skin stays properly hydrated.
The next tip is simple: If you smoke, quit. Next!
Getting too much sunlight, or UV radiation, can damage your skin. Now, you should still get sun, as it helps your body make vitamin D, but you shouldn't get so much that it causes your skin to burn. If you spend a lot of time in the sun, then stay covered, and wear sunscreen to minimize damage caused by the sun's rays.
You also need to be very careful about what skin products you use. Use mild soaps that are formulated for your skin type; avoid toners that contain alcohol; and don't use anything that's too abrasive, at least not on a regular basis. While your skin provides a tough barrier for the rest of your body, it is still in a fine balance that you don't want to upset.
By following these simple guidelines, you will be able to make skin tougher without looking older. Whether or not you tell your friends your secrets is entirely up to you.
