When we’re young, we feel invincible. We can hit the club 4 days a week, sleep 3 hours a night, eat what we want, and still turn up to class or work and do what we need to do. The last thing we’re thinking about is our skin, especially wrinkles and other signs of aging.
However, there comes a point where you may look in the mirror one morning and notice some lines emerging, or crow’s feet around the eyes, and you get a bit of a shock.
The truth is, we should always be aware of our skin even when we’re young. Our lifestyle habits can definitely influence the rate of aging our skin experiences.
Here’s how you can best protect your skin from premature aging in your twenties.
Drink more water
Most of us, especially when we’re young, walk around in an almost constant state of dehydration. Needless to say, this isn’t good.
Water is the giver of life. Our bodies are about 70% water and therefore need regular nourishment. It’s also a key factor in how quickly we display visual signs of aging. Drinking enough water during each day will help to hydrate the skin, keeping it smooth, glowing, and healthy. Not drinking enough water can cause the skin to lose plumpness and elasticity, which then leads the way for lines and wrinkles to emerge.
Beyond that, water is super healthy and should be a staple in everyone’s daily intake. Without water, our bodies simply can’t function to their highest ability.
What are you waiting for? Grab a glass!
Drink less alcohol
One of the quickest ways to dry out your skin and speed up the visual signs of aging is by consuming too much alcohol.
Look, we get it, you’re young, and you want to party – that’s fine! However, moderation is key. Drinking too much alcohol is not only detrimental to your overall health (give your liver a break, yikes!) but it also dehydrates us and makes it difficult for the body to retain water. As we just mentioned, being dehydrated can negatively affect the skin, causing it to lose crucial elasticity which can then make wrinkles and lines more likely to appear.
Reign in your partying to give your skin a better chance at remaining healthy and youthful for longer.
Always wear sunscreen
Sunscreen shouldn’t only be reserved for relaxing on the beach or taking a trip to an exotic location, it should actually be used all year round, rain or shine.
Most people don’t quite understand just how much of an impact the sun’s UV rays can have on skin aging. Too much sun exposure can dry the skin, cause irritation, burn it, and even lay the foundation for skin cancer. Using good sunscreen/SPF on a daily basis, even if you’re just walking to the store to buy a loaf of bread, is an essential way of prolonging skin youthfulness and health.
Even if it’s a cloudy or chilly day, using sunscreen can do wonders to protect the skin from dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and premature aging. Get into the habit of applying sunscreen regularly, and you’ll be grateful you did.
Eat antioxidant-rich foods
Having a healthy and balanced diet is an undeniable way of keeping your skin looking young and plump.
By eating certain foods that contain amazing antioxidants such as fruits, leafy greens, nuts & seeds, along with foods rich in omega-3 like Salmon, you can give your body a helping hand in fighting aging and minimizing cell damage.
Eat smart to keep your skin looking vibrant and beautiful.
Use eye cream regularly
In terms of anti-aging products, the one that should be at the top of the list is eye cream.
When our skin ages, the first noticeable area where wrinkles and lines tend to form is around the eyes. This is because these places have some of the thinnest skin on our entire bodies, and therefore are more vulnerable to aging.
Keeping under-eye skin constantly hydrated is vital for retaining that youthful look and slowing down the visual signs of aging. Finding a well-regarded cream, gel, or serum containing retinol would be a very good idea. You can use it every day, and hold back the hands of time.
Conclusion
While none of us can reverse aging, we can do practical things to slow it down. By fixing your diet, making smarter lifestyle choices, applying sun protection, and using an effective eye cream, you can significantly improve your chances of keeping your skin looking younger and vibrant for longer.
Your twenties should be the most enjoyable time of your life, so do the right thing and give your skin the tender loving care it deserves.