No matter your age, it's never too early or too late to start thinking about anti-aging practices. We only get one precious face, and taking excellent care of our skin to prevent premature aging is one of the best ways to show ourselves love. Not sure where to even start? We've got you. Below, we've rounded up seven anti-aging skin practices that your future self will thank you for.
Wear your SPF daily
Although the sun feels heavenly on the skin (hello, beach days!), it is one of the biggest causes of premature aging. The sun decreases the collagen in your skin (aka what makes it look plump and youthful) and can also cause age spots and discoloration. The good news is that you don't have to sacrifice fun in the sun. Slathering on SPF every day will help keep you protected while you're outside. Bonus points if you also wear a big sun hat for extra protection.
Use a good serum
Consider serums as your anti-aging BFFs. Serums containing vitamin C are popular when it comes to anti-aging because they protect the skin against free radical damage. Rael Beauty's Good Chemistry Serum delivers the same anti-aging benefits as vitamin C but on another level. The magic lies in an antioxidant it contains called fullerene, which is 172 times more potent than vitamin C. Fullerene also helps prevent breakouts, tightens your pores, improves skin texture, and brightens the skin.
Step up your skincare routine
To prevent signs of aging, stepping up your skincare routine is essential. Make sure you cleanse your face morning and night with a gentle cleanser. The dirt, makeup, and bacteria your skin picks up throughout the day can clog your pores and later cause the skin's collagen to breakdown. Follow that with a toner to prep your skin and help it better absorb other products you apply, and always, always moisturize to lock everything in. Humblebrag alert: Rael Beauty's Daily Restoration Gel Cream is made for mega hydration. It also features fullerene that protects against environmental damage as well as H30 hyaluronic acid complex to quench your skin's thirst.
Make sleep a priority
Sleep isn't just essential for our overall health and wellbeing. It's also essential for our skin, hence the term beauty sleep. Research shows that lack of sleep can result in darker under-eye circles, more fine lines and wrinkles, and droopy corners of the mouth. While we're snoozing, our skin uses that time to repair itself from UV damage, which helps reduce wrinkles and age spots.
Sleep on a silk pillowcase
Speaking of beauty sleep, try swapping out your old pillowcase for a silky new one. Silk pillowcases are known for helping prevent wrinkles. It creates a smooth surface for your skin to rest on with minimal friction, which means less tugging on the skin than you would get with a cotton pillowcase. And thanks to their smooth texture, silk pillowcases are also less likely to absorb moisture from your skin, which will help keep your skin hydrated.
Nourish your skin from the inside out
As the saying goes, we are what we eat. The food we consume impacts the look and feel of our skin. For example, sugar is one of the top culprits for wrinkles because it accelerates the skin's aging process. So if you're serious about keeping your skin looking youthful, try cutting back on sugary foods. Stock your grocery cart with antioxidant-rich foods instead such as berries, papaya, broccoli, and red bell peppers. And while we're at it, make sure you drink lots of water too.
Exfoliate your skin
Dead skin cells make your complexion look lackluster. Exfoliating helps shed the dead skin cells and speed up new ones' growth to create brighter-looking skin. Exfoliating also allows other anti-aging products like your serum to penetrate deeper and work more effectively. Exfoliating two to three times a week is plenty for maintaining radiant skin.