21 Easy Beauty Habits That Will Make You Look Years Younger
Do you ever look in the mirror and wonder why you’re starting to look older than your age? As we grow older, our skin naturally loses its elasticity and radiance. And it’s not just genetics that come into play here. Your daily beauty routine and lifestyle habits can greatly affect your youthful and vibrant appearance. In this article, we’ll explore some surprisingly common beauty habits that can impact the way you look. From skipping sunscreen to neglecting your neck and hands, we’ll provide a roadmap for avoiding these mistakes and the best way to maintain healthy skin and a youthful, radiant complexion. Get ready to take notes – your skin will thank you for it!
Easy Beauty Habits For A More Youthful Appearance
It turns out that bad beauty habits can add years to your appearance. Learning about the first signs of skin aging to look out for is the first thing to be aware of when creating your new daily routine. Then, step two is learning about the best beauty habits you should create and which bad habits to avoid to maintain beautiful, radiant skin.
Healthy Habits To Look Younger
Develop A Consistent Nighttime Skincare Routine
You may be diligent with your skincare routine in the morning, but if you’re not removing your makeup and taking advantage of a bedtime skincare routine, you could be seriously damaging your skin. During the night, while you sleep, your skin is busy at work renewing itself. Keeping your makeup on overnight clogs your pores and prevents your skin from breathing, leading to acne, breakouts, and premature aging.
To avoid this, make sure to remove your makeup every day before hitting the pillow. Use a makeup remover, or micellar water, to remove your makeup and any impurities that may have accumulated on your skin throughout the day. Followed by a good cleanser formulated for your skin type. And if you’re feeling lazy, keep some makeup wipes on hand for those nights when you can’t muster up the energy for a full cleansing routine.
Follow this with skincare products that are tailored to your skin type and specific needs. Since I started skin cycling, my skin has looked and felt amazing. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a way to up their skincare game.
Get Quality Sleep Each Night
Unfortunately, sleep is often an afterthought in our busy lives, and its health benefits, including slowing the visible effects of aging, have become a distant memory. A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine showed that people who consistently got quality sleep over a period of two weeks were perceived as more attractive and healthier than those who got less than 6 hours of sleep a night. The researchers concluded that good sleep is as important to maintaining a youthful appearance as a healthy diet and exercise.
In addition to physical benefits, the mental benefits of proper rest should also not be overlooked. Studies have shown that proper sleep can help improve energy levels, memory, focus, and creativity, all of which impact our day-to-day lives and long-term well-being.
So, if you’re looking for a natural way to appear younger, start by making sleep a priority. Get into a regular sleep schedule that allows you enough sleep. If you aim for 7-9 hours of quality rest every night, you’ll start seeing the benefits in no time. If you struggle with sleep, you may find 10 Tips For A Better Night’s Sleep helpful.
Use a Silk Pillowcase
Silk pillowcases have become increasingly popular in the bedroom over the past few years, for good reasons! Not only do they offer a more luxurious feel, but they also help promote healthy skin and a youthful complexion. Silk pillowcases are incredibly gentle on your skin and hair, and their smooth texture combats friction and protects delicate skin while you sleep. This reduces your chances of developing lines and wrinkles caused by skin being tugged or pulled in your sleep.
Silk is also a hygroscopic fabric, meaning that it helps your skin retain moisture throughout the night – which also helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and ensure that skin is sufficiently hydrated. In addition, silk pillowcases are resistant to dust mites and bacteria, which helps reduce the likelihood of skin breakouts.
Silk pillowcases have undeniable benefits for your skin and hair. I’m sure you’ll notice the difference once you sleep with a silk pillowcase. I know I sure did!
Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise is crucial for maintaining a healthy body weight and promoting good cardiovascular health. It also plays a role in keeping your skin youthful and radiant. Exercise increases blood flow, delivering oxygen and important nutrients to your skin cells, resulting in a healthy glow. Regular physical activity also helps to reduce inflammation and stress, which can cause premature aging and other skin issues. Therefore, hitting the gym or going for a run isn’t just good for your overall health – it’s also good for your skin!
Stay Out Of The Sun
Protecting your skin from the sun is a crucial beauty habit to adopt if you want to maintain youthful-looking skin. Even though we associate a golden tan with healthy, beautiful skin, the reality is the opposite. The sun’s harmful UV rays damage your skin’s collagen and elastin fibers. This leads to premature aging, fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots and increases your chance of developing skin cancer. Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 before stepping outside can help shield your skin from these damaging effects.
But sunscreen alone is not enough to provide complete protection. Avoiding excessive sun exposure is always a good idea. Also, wearing protective clothing, such as hats and long-sleeved shirts, is essential to guard your skin against the sun’s rays. Wearing sunglasses is also important to help you avoid squinting in bright light, as constant squinting leads to wrinkles around the eye area. By incorporating sun protection into your daily skincare routine, you’re ensuring that your skin stays healthy and vibrant for years to come. And the best part is that it’s never too late to start!
Manage Stress
Chronic stress can wreak havoc on your physical and mental health and cause premature aging. Stress increases inflammation, which can lead to a variety of skin problems, including acne, psoriasis, and eczema. You can help keep your skin healthy and youthful by managing your stress levels. In addition to regular exercise, there are many other ways to help manage stress, such as meditation, journaling (my personal favorite), deep breathing exercises, and spending time in nature.
Take Care of Your Hair
The state of your hair says a lot about you, and when it looks unhealthy, it can drastically affect how you look and feel. Hair can become dry, dull, and brittle with age, resulting in an appearance that’s less vibrant and energetic. On the other hand, having healthy hair can make you appear younger and can have a significant psychological impact. For these reasons, every proper beauty routine needs to include a good haircare routine.
It needs to be kept hydrated to keep your hair strong and healthy. You can do this through a healthy diet and, if needed, taking a hair supplement. But the other important factor in your hair’s health is the products you use. For optimal hair health, use a sulfate-free shampoo containing natural essential oils. Try incorporating a weekly oil treatment using natural oils such as coconut, argan, jojoba, almond, and olive oil; you’ll quickly see a difference in the health of your hair!
Don’t Smoke
One of the most detrimental habits to your health and appearance is smoking. Although most people know smoking is bad and that it increases the risk of various diseases, they don’t always realize that it also leads to premature aging and wrinkles. Nicotine and other toxins in cigarettes damage collagen and elastin, which are essential for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness. Smoking also constricts blood vessels, reducing blood flow and oxygen to the skin.
Quitting smoking can be challenging, but it’s one of the best things you can do for your health and appearance. You may notice skin tone and texture improvements within just a few weeks of quitting. You’ll also reduce your risk of developing wrinkles and age spots, look younger, and feel better.
Nutrition Tips To Look Younger
Our lifestyle habits play a significant role in how our skin ages, and one of the most overlooked factors is our diet and hydration. In addition to taking care of your skin externally, don’t forget that what you put into your body can also have a major impact on how you look and feel.
Drink Plenty Of Water
If you want to have beautiful skin, you need to drink plenty of water. Proper hydration is incredibly important for the health of your skin, And when you don’t consume enough water, your skin becomes dehydrated, leading to dry skin, fine lines, and dark circles under the eyes. It also aids in flushing out toxins from the body, which can contribute to a dull, tired-looking complexion.
You should aim to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. If you struggle with drinking that much, you can also incorporate more water-rich foods into your diet, such as cucumbers and watermelon.
Limit Or Skip Junk Foods And Processed Foods
Processed and junk foods are often high in fat, sugar, and calories, all of which contribute to a decrease in our overall health and appearance. Diets that are high in processed foods have been linked to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, as well as wrinkles, dull skin, and other signs of aging.
The key to preserving a youthful look is to focus on nutrition-packed and natural foods. Nutrient-rich foods such as vegetables, legumes, fruits, and whole grains contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help keep skin healthy. Eating foods low in sugar and saturated fats can help keep your skin healthy and glowing.
Eat A Protein-Rich Diet
If you think of our body like an engine, then protein is the fuel that provides much-needed energy to keep us functioning optimally. Protein aids in the production of collagen, helps build muscle, and reduces fat. In short, eating a diet full of healthy proteins can help us look and feel younger.
If you’re looking for a way to stay youthful, look no further than a protein-rich diet. Not only will it help you look your best, but it will also give you the energy and clear-headedness you need to power through your day. So, the next time you’re looking for ways to turn back the clock, you can start by adding a few extra protein sources to your plate.
Consume Antioxidant-Rich Foods
One of the best ways to achieve a youthful, glowing complexion is to consume more antioxidant-rich foods. Antioxidants protect the body against free radicals—unstable molecules known to damage cells and cause premature aging.
By eating antioxidant-rich foods on a regular basis, you can have access to an abundance of antioxidants that are proven to fight aging signs and rejuvenate the skin.
Some of the best antioxidant-rich foods you should include in your daily diet include foods high in vitamin C, like berries, nuts, seeds, dark leafy greens, broccoli, oranges, avocados, and pomegranates.
Limit Alcohol
A glass of wine or a cocktail can be a pleasant way to relax and unwind. When drinking alcohol becomes a daily habit or is regularly done in excess, it will have harmful effects on your health and appearance. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to dehydration, which can cause the skin to appear dull and tired. Alcohol can also interfere with collagen production, leading to decreased skin elasticity and fine lines.
In addition to dehydrating the skin, alcohol can also dilate blood vessels, leading to facial redness and broken capillaries. Drinking also impedes restful sleep, further affecting the skin’s appearance.
To minimize the negative effects of alcohol on your skin, it’s essential to drink in moderation and ensure adequate hydration. Alternating alcoholic beverages with water or non-alcoholic drinks can help reduce the risk of dehydration. Additionally, avoiding alcohol before bedtime can help ensure a good night’s sleep.
Skin Care Habits And Beauty Tips to Look Younger
Don’t Neglect Your Neck And Hands
Our faces are often the main focus when it comes to our skincare routine, but neglecting the delicate skin on your neck and hands can be a major mistake. Although these areas are often the first places to show signs of aging, they are often overlooked. While you may be diligently cleansing, toning, and moisturizing your face, extending these steps to your neck and hands is also important.
By using skin products that are specifically designed for these areas, you can help keep the skin looking firm and youthful. Look for a moisturizing hand cream or lotion with ingredients like glycerin, shea butter, or hyaluronic acid serums that can help keep the skin hydrated and prevent fine lines from forming. Use warm water instead of hot when washing your hands. And last but not least, don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your neck and hands whenever they are exposed to the sun.
Add Facial Massage To Your Daily Routine
For those seeking younger-looking skin without the use of injections or surgery, facial massage could be the answer. Facial massage improves circulation in the face, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach the skin cells. This helps promote cell turnover, reducing wrinkles and leaving skin looking firmer and smoother. Just a quick 5-minute daily massage can have impressive effects. In addition to using your hands, a gua sha stone or facial roller are also good tools to use.
While results may vary from person to person, with proper technique and consistency, facial massage can be a great way to naturally reduce wrinkles and restore firmness and glow to the skin.
Clean Makeup Brushes Regularly
When was the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes? Cleaning makeup brushes frequently is actually essential for keeping your skin healthy and vibrant. To understand why you should be cleaning your brushes regularly, it’s important to understand what happens when you don’t. Makeup brushes can accumulate a buildup of bacteria, makeup residue, oil, and other dirt and debris over time. This accumulation can cause damage to the skin by clogging pores, leading to various skin problems such as breakouts and skin irritations.
Dirty brushes should be washed every few weeks at a minimum to prevent bacteria and dirt buildup, or more often if you use them every day or for heavier applications. Proper washing involves using a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and product buildup and then thoroughly rinsing with lukewarm water until it runs clean. Rinse gently, and never scrub your brushes.
Exfoliate Weekly
To maintain a youthful complexion, exfoliation is key! Regularly sloughing off dead skin cells is a great way to keep your skin looking fresh and smooth. It also helps to unclog pores and prevent the buildup of dirt and oil, which can lead to breakouts and dullness. There are many ways to exfoliate, from using a physical scrub to a chemical exfoliant like glycolic acid. Just be sure to choose a method that works well for your skin type and doesn’t cause irritation.
Although exfoliating is helpful for removing dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover, doing it too frequently or using the wrong products can cause damage to the skin barrier, leading to irritation and inflammation. The result is sensitive skin that is more susceptible to environmental damage, including the effects of UV radiation.
Keep Your Skin Moisturized
Daily moisturizing is essential for maintaining youthful and healthy-looking skin. Not only does it hydrate the skin, but it also helps to lock in moisture, allowing your skin to better retain water and prevent dehydration. Moisturizing can also help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time.
However, it’s important to choose a moisturizer that’s suited for your skin type. If you have oily skin, look for a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer that won’t clog your pores. If you have dry skin, opt for a richer, more hydrating formula.
Incorporating daily moisturizing into your skincare routine after exfoliating can help keep your skin looking youthful, healthy, and radiant. And when combined with a healthy diet, your skin will truly glow.
Whiten Your Teeth
While it may seem like a superficial improvement, the truth is whiter teeth can make a world of difference in how you look and feel about yourself. But there’s more to it than just a superficial boost. Whiter teeth are associated with better oral health, which is an important factor in overall well-being. And when it comes to aging, having whiter teeth and healthier gums can help a person appear younger and more attractive.
It’s important to remember that while whiter teeth will make you look younger, taking good care of your teeth is still important. You should brush, floss regularly, and visit your dentist for cleanings and checkups. In addition to professional whitening treatments, you can find over-the-counter whitening products like Crest 3D Whitestrips to help you maintain that youthful, healthy smile.
Keep Your Lips Hydrated
Hydration is key when it comes to slowing down the signs of aging. Even when it comes to your lips. Proper hydration helps restore the lip’s natural plumpness and elasticity and gives them a healthier, younger-looking sheen.
The key to hydrating your lips is to keep them moist all day long. That means a few things – you need to be sure you’re drinking lots of water and use a moisturizing lip balm to hydrate, nourish, and heal your pout. For maximum effect, look for lip balms made of natural ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid.
Finally, be sure to do regular exfoliation. Exfoliating helps to get rid of dead skin cells and helps to keep your lips looking fresh and young. You can do this by using a lip scrub, a toothbrush, or even your own finger.
Avoid Harsh Skincare Products
Another factor that contributes to premature aging is the overuse of harsh skin care products. With so many new products and trends popping up, it can be easy to get caught up in the hype and apply new products to our skin without proper research and consideration. However, many of these products contain harsh chemicals and active ingredients that can strip away the skin’s natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and inflammation. The result is often an increase in fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging.
If you are unsure of what products you should be using, the next time you go out, stop by Sephora and ask a skincare expert for some suggestions.
Create A Beauty Maintenance Schedule
Incorporating simple things and making small changes to your daily routine can have a big impact on the appearance of your skin. Although these aren’t quick fixes, you can achieve the youthful glow you desire by adopting some easy beauty habits like getting enough sleep, protecting your skin from the sun, staying hydrated, and so on. Not only will these habits benefit your skin, but they will also contribute to your overall well-being. I’ve also found that having a beauty maintenance schedule is the easiest way to stay on top of all my skincare and beauty needs.
So I guess the only question to ask yourself now is, why wait? Start making changes today and reap the rewards of younger-looking skin for years to come.
