From Cleopatra to today's celebrities, it seems that everyone wants to look younger than their chronological age. And it's no wonder - fair or not, Western society is undeniably youth-oriented. If you look young and have a youthful outlook, it's generally easier to find mates, jobs, or anything else in which appearance plays a part.
So what can you do if you've passed that first blush of youth? Short of elective surgery, which many people either can't afford or don't want to consider, there are a few easy tips you can follow to help your skin look its best, no matter what your age.
1. Wear sunscreen of at least 30 SPF during the day.
Even if it's cloudy, in fact, particularly if it's cloudy, you're being exposed to the sun's rays. Ultraviolet light penetrates clouds and will age your skin from within, meaning that only a UVA+UVB sunscreen or sunblock will protect it.
2. Wash makeup off your face every night.
Tempting though it may be to sleep in your slap, don't do it. Every night you spend sleeping in makeup can add age to your face. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and give your skin a chance to breathe and recover.
3. Go gently when you wash your face.
It may feel good, but scrubbing your skin is ultimately damaging. If you scrub hard enough, you can even irritate it enough to cause outbreaks of acne, which gives you another problem to deal with.
4. Use a good moisturizer day and night.
Your moisturizer is the one product that remains the longest on your face, so choose one that works with your skin type to protect and nourish it. If you need extra help, choose a heavier moisturizer for nighttime to get additional benefits while you sleep.
5. Pay attention to your facial expressions.
Those wrinkles you're trying to get rid of formed mainly because of repeated use of the same facial muscles. If you scowl, even unintentionally, you're likely to get the vertical lines between your eyebrows that make you look angry and older. If you frown, you'll increase the chances of making the corners of your mouth droop into what are called "marionette lines." This isn't to say that you have to walk around with your face in a completely expressionless mask; just be aware of what expression you're wearing and what effect using those muscles may be having on your skin.
6. Don't write off fillers or Botox.
These can work absolute wonders for restoring your youthful appearance without surgery; just make sure that you go to a licensed professional to have such work done.
Follow these tips and you'll be well on your way to a more youthful you!
