There may be no fountain of youth, no instant way to stop aging in its tracks. But science is getting pretty close. There are quick, easy, and inexpensive changes you can make to your daily routine that can make you look and feel years younger. These are simple tricks that are proven to make you look more youthful, according to scientific research. Read on to find out more—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss Already Had COVID? These Symptoms May “Never Go Away”.
To keep your skin looking young, pump up your exercise routine. “Findings from a few studies suggest that moderate exercise can improve circulation and boost the immune system,” says the American Academy of Dermatology. “This, in turn, may give the skin a more youthful appearance.” Experts recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity (or 75 minutes of vigorous activity) weekly.
Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, is vital to the production of collagen, one of the proteins that give skin a youthful volume and tone. According to a 2021 review of studies published in the journal Molecular Biology Reports, vitamin C can also protect against the shortening of telomeres, the portions of a chromosome that hold DNA information and get shorter as they age. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C is a great move for your health overall.
Not getting enough sleep doesn’t just make you feel groggy and look tired—it can literally age you. According to a study published in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, women who reported having poor quality sleep experienced 30% better “skin-barrier recovery” than women who got poor sleep, and had “significantly lower intrinsic skin aging.” During sleep, several body systems reset and repair themselves, including the immune system and skin.
If you only do one thing to prevent skin aging, make it this: Don’t skip the sunscreen. Exposure to UV radiation from the sun is responsible for 80% of skin aging. Photoaging can cause wrinkles, sunspots, freckles, sagging and dull skin. To avoid it, use a daily moisturizer with sunscreen. Experts recommend mineral sunscreens (such as those containing zinc or titanium dioxide) with more than 30 SPF.
Overindulging in alcohol can leave you with a long-lasting hangover: Accelerated skin aging. In a wide-ranging study, researchers analyzed the signs of aging in more than 3,200 women worldwide, compared to alcohol consumption. Heavy drinking (more than eight drinks a week) was associated with “increased upper facial lines, under-eye puffiness, oral commissures, midface volume loss, and blood vessels,” the scientists wrote. To maintain a youthful glow and protect your health overall, drink alcohol only in moderation (no more than two drinks a day for men, and one daily drink for women). And to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.
Michael Martin
