Aging is a normal human process – but I like to look for ways to keep a youthful glow and fight off the wrinkles, dark spots and dullness for as long as I can. I make sure to include a selection of anti-aging products in my skincare routine, but I also started incorporating a few anti-aging tricks in my daily routine on top of my skincare. They’re not quick fixes and they don’t necessarily slow down the aging process, but they’re daily and lifelong habits that’ll give your skin a fighting chance the earlier you adopt them. Here are 9 little anti-aging tricks you might not know.
Wear sunscreen
You’ve heard this 1,000 times – but it’s true. Sun damage is the fastest way to damage your skin and the number one cause of premature aging. UV lights break down collagen and elastin, which are two vital proteins that keep your skin from starting to droop and crease. I make sure to wear at least SPF 15 every day!
Oh, and a quick little tip: don’t forget to apply SPF to your hands, neck and chest. Especially if you spend a lot of time in your car (like me in LA), your hands get lots of direct sunlight and can age quickly.
Don’t rub your eyes
The skin around your eyes is one of the thinnest and most sensitive areas. The more you rub, the more your skin stretches and breaks down collagen and elastin – and this leads to wrinkles! I pay extra attention to this area whenever I’m removing eye makeup or giving myself a facial.
Moisturize before your skin dries
Your skin is the most absorbent when your skin is clean and moist. I try to go through my skincare routine within 3 minutes of stepping out of the shower or washing my face. Applying moisturizer before the water on your skin has time to fully dry will help lock in the hydration.
Get enough sleep
We’re all familiar with dark circles, eye bags and droopy eyelids from not getting enough sleep – but it’s the lack of sleep that causes the skin under your eyes to start thinning, and that’s what leads to all these problems. Your skin cells regenerate as you sleep and produce the two proteins we love – collagen and elastin. So if you’re not getting enough sleep, your skin cells have less time to recuperate. I try to shoot for 7-9 hours of interrupted sleep every night!
Wash your face before bed
Since our skin regenerates while we sleep, not washing your face before bed is a huge missed opportunity for your skin. At night, your body produces fewer natural oils and your skin heats up, which can lead to dry skin, irritation and redness. I always make sure to wash my face and go through my skincare routine at the end of the day to let my skin breathe and clear my pores of any dirt, bacteria and oils.
Sleep on a silk pillowcase
Say goodbye to sleep lines and wrinkles by investing in a silk pillowcase. They provide your skin with a smooth surface versus cotton pillowcases that can tug on your face. This scrunches the collagen in your face and it’s what causes those sleep lines.
Eat your antioxidants
Antioxidants (like vitamin C and vitamin B12) help your body produce DNA and red blood cells, reduce inflammation and free radicals and stimulate collagen production. Which in turn helps your skin repair itself. You can get your daily dose of antioxidants in foods like oranges, blueberries (I love this blueberry orange muffin recipe!), goji berries, kale, spinach and red bell peppers. I like to get my antioxidants from my daily morning matcha!
Drink plenty of water
Drinking plenty of water is the key to bright and plump skin. Water helps your skin maintain moisture, which has an endless list of anti-aging benefits – like tighter skin, reduced puffiness, fewer wrinkles, faster healing, improved complexion and a healthy pH balance. I like to keep a cup of water next to my bed and on my desk and carry a water bottle with me at all times so I never forget to hydrate!
Apply extra product to neck and hands
You know that extra layer of skincare product you have left on your hands after applying to your face? Smooth it onto your neck and the back of your hands – two areas that show signs of aging and don’t get a ton of love. Multi-tasking at its finest!
How do you keep your skin looking plump, glowy and youthful? I’d love to hear your best anti-aging tricks.
