Skin & Beauty: Anti-Aging Tips & Secrets to Look Younger

Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are acids found in foods like fruits, milk, sugar cane, and other foods. AHAs are chemical peels that remove the top layer of skin cells, thereby improving the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid derived from sugar. Results of these peels may be more pronounced when used around the skin of the eyes. AHAs are good for crows’ feet. Side effects of these peels are minimal. They may cause temporary redness, irritation, and increased sensitivity to the sun.

Retinoids are compounds that are similar to vitamin A. Regular use of retinoids helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This promotes healthy, younger-looking skin. The strongest creams containing retinoids are available with a prescription from your doctor. Tretinoin, adapalene, and tarazotene are a few types of prescription retinoids. A milder version of these products, called retinol, is available over the counter (OTC). You will get the best results from retinoid products if you use them regularly. You will see improvements within several weeks to months of use. Start slowly if you are using retinoid products for the first time. They may cause redness, peeling, redness, and increased sensitivity. Apply the product less frequently or switch to a reduced strength retinoid if you experience these side effects.

Skin cells do not turn over as rapidly as they once did as you age. The result is that surface skin may appear rough, uneven, and blotchy. Make regular exfoliation part of your anti-aging skin care routine. Use a soft washcloth and an exfoliating cleanser to gently remove dead skin cells from your face and body. This reduces the appearance of dull, flaky skin. Use a gentle hand. Exfoliating too aggressively may irritate your skin, leaving it red and splotchy.

In this day and age, many women are choosing to go all natural and let their hair go gray. Use deep conditioner regularly to keep hair looking shiny and healthy. If gray hair does not complement your skin tone, consider adding some color to brighten your look and keep you from appearing washed out. You can find effective over-the-counter products to hide your gray hair at home. Proceed with caution. Never use these products on eyebrows or eyelashes near the delicate eyes.

YHair thins as you age. You can make it appear fuller by using some clever styling tricks. Use a large barrel brush to lift hair at the roots while blow drying. This adds volume. Switch to the cool setting on your hairdryer to help set the style. You can put your hair in hot rollers to add body and volume to hair. If you prefer a more low maintenance option, consider getting a perm.

Sunglasses fulfill multiple roles if your goal is to look younger. Wearing sunglasses while outdoors helps keep you from squinting, which in turn minimizes the risk of developing or deepening crows’ feet and wrinkles around the eyes. Sunglasses also reduce your risk of developing cataracts, cloudy growths that develop on the lenses of the eyes and interfere with vision. Make sure the sunglasses you choose are labeled UV 400 for maximum protection. Sunglasses also help shield your skin against damaging UV rays from the sun that lead to premature aging and wrinkles around thin, delicate eye skin. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen daily to help protect against premature aging, brown spots, and skin cancer.

Chapped, flaky lips are a common problem. You can combat dry lips by moisturizing them often. Apply lip balm containing petroleum jelly, vitamin E, shea butter, or a combination of these, often. Get a product that also contains sunscreen to protect delicate lips from the UV rays of the sun. Sun exposure can damage skin, including the skin of the lips, especially if you burn. You can also use a mild lip exfoliating product to remove dry flakes. If you use long-wearing lipstick, make sure the product dries completely before you apply lip balm over it.

Eyebrows tend to become thinner and gray as we age. Since eyebrows frame the face, their appearance impacts how youthful you look. Fill in and darken aging eyebrows. Use an eyebrow pencil that approximates your hair color to fill in sparse areas. Use eyebrow powder over penciled in areas to help the color set. Avoid using colors that are much darker than your hair color. Eyebrows that are too dark will look unnatural and will age you.

Eyelids get droopy as we age, and eyelashes and eyebrows may become more sparse. Draw attention to your best features. Apply eyeliner in a color that makes your eyes pop. Apply a thin line of eyeliner along your upper and lower lash lines. This will make your eye lashes appear thicker. Use a complementary color of eye shadow on your upper lid. Use softer shades of eye shadow as you get older, and apply minimal product. Heavy, caked-on eye makeup makes you look older.

Skin thins and dries with age, so lines and wrinkles start to appear. Applying primer before you put on your makeup helps minimize the appearance of fine lines and pores by filling them in. This way your skin is a smooth blank canvas for you to apply your makeup. Skin primer does not get rid of fine lines and large pores, but it can help both appear less visible. Silicone is a common ingredient in skin primer that works well for the purpose.