5 Ways to Get More Youthful-Looking Skin

Everyone is always on the lookout for a quick fix to help them turn back the tell-tell signs of aging. Since searching for the fountain of youth has proven to be a waste of your good years, many people resort to plastic surgery. However, before going under the knife, take a look at these tips for getting more youthful-looking and feeling skin. You could get great results for a fraction of what it would cost you in surgery.

1. Screen the Sun

Sunscreen is so important to your skin’s health that it has to be mentioned twice in two weeks. While almost everyone loves the sun, it is one of the most dangerous things your skin is exposed to. The sun breaks down your skin's naturally produced collagen and elastin. After years of unprotected exposure to the sun, skin can begin to look old, prematurely wrinkle and feel leathery. Use sunscreen daily to protect the longevity of your skin’s youthfulness.

2. Get your Bounce Back

Elastin is what makes skin bounce back when pressed, an essential to firmness. We stop naturally producing elastin at about the same time as we hit puberty, but modern science can help! Scientists have found that dill extract will make more elastin for skin since our bodies won’t. Dill extract can be found in products such as Olay Pro-X Intensive Firming Treatment, Aveeno Ageless Vitality and DDF Restoring Night Serum.

3. DIY: Collagen

Collagen is what keeps your skin feeling soft and supple instead of a texture that resembles a tough leather bag. Retinoids are the key to making more collagen when your skin needs a little help. An overwhelming number of dermatologists agree that retinoids actually work. Retinoids can be found in Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream.

4. Change the Dark to Light

Studies show that dark spots can age your skin's appearance by 10-15 years. There are prescription options available to treat an uneven skin tone, however, some great nonprescription options include skin lighteners and exfoliators. Try Clinique Even Better Clinical Skin Tone Corrector, SkinCeutical Pigment Regulator or Vivite Vibrance, which has gotten great reviews. Apply these to your entire face - and not just over the dark spots! - then apply sunscreen (VERY important!). You should start to see fading in about three months.

5. Put Your Skin On a Diet

Research now shows that low levels of nutrients that are essential to skin’s health, like zinc and vitamin C, could slow skin’s ability to repair itself. Eat a diet rich in antioxidants (green tea, for example, can be a chic alternative to coffee and serve to help your skin too), fatty fish (salmon, a tasty option), dark green vegetables (broccoli, a favorite that works), almonds and walnuts. And don’t forget to drink plenty of water!

These tips are good for your skin but also good for over-all health; just remember, everything in moderation!

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