Roll back the fountain of youth and slow down the aging process.
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So if you’re like me, you spend hundreds of dollars each year on anti aging beauty products. Did you the know the average women in the United States spends over $500 a year on skin care? I am sure the reason why you decided to read this article is because you too, are looking for ways to slow the aging process. Well, I will tell you that there is no magic cure and I wish I could tell you that there is, but what I can tell you is that there are lots of things you can do to help slow down some of the aging process.
When I mention to people how old I actually am (I am 46 by the way) most have to do a double take and ask what I am doing as far as skin care and my own beauty routine. So here are some of my own tips and tricks as well as some I have learned along the way. Hopefully some of these tips can work for you and some are just plain old ones you’ve probably already heard which means, they work.
Stay out of the sun
Yes you read that right. My #1 tip that I can share with all of you is to stay out of the sun. It is one of the worst things you can do as far as accelerating the aging process. Sun damage can cause deep wrinkles as well as lines around your eyes from squinting and dark patches of skin.
Use Sunscreen
This tip goes along with the first one. If you are in the sun at all. Please wear sunscreen. I wrote an article last summer where I talk about SPF and the different types of sunscreen that should be used. You can check out the article here. I always use a base face sunscreen and if my foundation doesn’t have a sunscreen I mix an SPF of 15 or higher to my foundation and apply it all over my face. I do this every single day.
Even when I am not spending time in the sun. There are foundations such as It cosmetics foundation that already has an SPF in the formula. Below are a few really great options to keep your skin safe this summer and throughout the year.
Drink Plenty of H2O
I am sure you have heard this many times. But drinking plenty of good old fashioned H2O works wonders. Our skin is a living organ. If you’re dehydrated your skin will look like it. Drinking plenty of water helps to remove those built up toxins, which can help restore your skin’s natural glow and can help reduce the natural effects of aging. More water please! It is recommended that women drink at least 9 cups of water a day. So ladies, drink up!
Remove Your Makeup Before Bed
I am not sure how many women didn’t know this but, I know when I was in my twenties after a long night of partying on the weekends I would get home, change my clothes and go straight to bed. I would fall asleep with my makeup on. This lead to breakouts over the next few days. Ladies, get into the routine of always removing your makeup before bed. Sleeping in your makeup can trap dirt, and pollutants which can eventually cause premature aging.
Facials
This is one of my own tips. I just love a good steamy facial. Although, during Covid I have not been able to get one. But let me tell you, I absolutely love them. Not only are they relaxing and soothing but it can make your skin feel like a million bucks afterwards. By treating yourself to a facial, it helps to remove the buildup of skin that makes your complexion look dull. When you don’t remove that buildup of skin, your beauty products have a hard time penetrating the skins surface. Just think about all the money you might be wasting if the skin care you are buying isn’t penetrating down into the skins surface.
Try An At Home Facial Instead
Can’t afford to have regular facials? Why not try one at home? Here are some tips on how to do one at home and get one that is just as good at home.
#1.Start with a cleanser ( your favorite will do) or here are some suggestions that work really well.
#2. Exfoliate This is to get rid of that top layer of dead skin cells in order for your beauty products to penetrate down into your skin.
#3. Use a mask There are so many options available. Here are a few linked if you need some suggestions or use one of your favorites.
#4. Steam Fill a bowl with hot water or Amazon has some really cool, inexpensive ones that you may be interested in trying. Put a towel or cloth around your head and keep your face over the steam for a few minutes. I love this part. Do all of this while using your mask in order for the serum to penetrate deep down into your skins pores. Here are a few that get rave reviews.
#5. Moisturize After removing your favorite face mask, use one of your favorite serums and moisturizers. Voila! Your own at home facial. This is what I am doing right now, until I can get back to a regular facial. Works just as well.
A Beauty Routine
Find a beauty routine that works well for you. I have a beauty routine although, it isn’t anything crazy. I live in high altitude Colorado where the air is very dry. I am constantly moisturizing. I have two separate moisturizers one I use specifically for daytime with an spf and a heavier one I use for night time. I can link a few different moisturizers down below if you’re looking for something new and if you have one that works good for you definitely leave a comment down below and share what you’re using. I have tried a lot of them and definitely have a few favorites.
I also use a cleanser, usually it is Tatcha or Philosophy for sensitive skin and also a facial scrub. I use the facial scrub at least twice a week to help with buildup and dull skin and an aging serum nightly. Linked below are a few of those products that can give you some ideas to get started with or you can try and you can also check out this article to start a new beauty routine if you don’t already have one.
Exercise and Eating Well
I know this part might sound cliche but there is scientific studies done that say that eating well and exercising can greatly benefit your skin. Exercise can help by controlling your bodies blood sugar and oxidative stress. This is turn helps reduce advanced glycation which can age tissue, especially collagen.
Eating well goes without saying , but eating healthily can have many benefits to aging skin. Diets rich in lean proteins, fresh vegetables, fruits and omega-3’s have been known to slow the signs of aging down.
Getting Enough Sleep
Lack of sleep can create a whole array of issues. Let’s start first with the basics. Getting less than 7 hours of sleep can sometimes make us feel like we’re not at our best. I know for me personally, ever since this pandemic started my sleep schedules have gone haywire. Sometimes I will get 8 hours of sleep on a really good night and other nights I am lucky to get 6 straight good hours of sleep.
But sleep can have an enormous impact on how our skin acts and behaves. Sleep has an impact on your circadian rhythm which has protective effects against inflammation, oxidative stress and hormone dysregulation. All of these can wreak havoc on your skin and cause aging to accelerate. Be sure to aim for at least 7 hours of sleep nightly.
Manage Your Stress
This one is my favorite tip because sometimes it is so hard to manage when life around you seems to be haywire, or my favorite phrase of this year, is “I feel like I am living in the Twilight Zone.” There are many ways to manage stress and I have a few posts you can check out where you can manage your anxiety.
Meditation is great for stress. I have to admit I am not always great about doing this, but I am really trying. Also, getting out for a walk, journaling, some quiet time for yourself and doing something you enjoy. Also, going for a short walk. My husband and I started doing this back last November and we do this most days of the week. It really clears your head and you get some exercise, always a plus. Stress can really damper our skin. It can cause bags under your eyes, dark circles and leave lines from frowning.
Try some different things that can help you manage your stress levels and see what works for you. I hope you enjoyed this article. Please check out some of my other articles while you are here and subscribe to my email list if you haven’t already. Thank you for your support and for reading.
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