50 Ways to look Younger
Every year women around the world seek out all kinds of options to receive the same goal: to look younger. Women learn at a young age to not get old. To take care of your skin and your body so heaven forbid you never look like you age. It’s sad, but it’s reality. I’m not sure when this obsession with looking younger began, but the stars in Hollywood make it worse. My whole life I’ve always appeared younger and if I’m being completely honest, I hated it. I always wanted to grow up too fast. When I was in college and people thought I was in high school I always felt too young. But slowly over time I started to feel that shift, and hope that I can look young forever at this point. It was only a few years ago that I stopped getting carded at the movie theater. Now it’s a thrill and a huge compliment when someone ID’s me but typing that out makes me feel so old. I currently work in plastic surgery office, treating patients that struggle with fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, acne, acne scarring, just to name a few. It’s sometimes hard to be in an environment all day surrounded by beautiful women-both patients and coworkers- who struggle with their appearance. We all have similar “flaws”and for anyone over 40 its mostly aging. I’ve compiled a list of ways to look younger in hopes that we can put a pause on aging, at least for a little while.
Skin:
1. Moisturize- People that have struggled with oily skin majority of their life may have hated it as teenager or young adult with acne and blackheads but as an adult they have fewer fine lines and wrinkles. Keeping your skin moisturized and hydrated as much as possible will help with your aging process.
2. Hyaluronic Acid- It is something that we naturally have in our bodies that starts to decrease as we age. It holds 1000X its weight in water. When your skin is hydrated it appears plumper, which smoothes fine lines and wrinkles in the process, thus giving you a more youthful appearance.
3. Retinol- #1 Anti aging ingredient. It increases cell turnover which also decreases as we age. It helps fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, and promotes collagen and elastin production. I only recommend medical grade or prescription strength.
4. Eye Cream- It helps keep the thinnest skin hydrated, moisturized, and looking plump which gives a youthful glow. I only recommend medical grade eye cream.
5. Serum- When it comes to skincare, I typically only recommend spending a pretty penny on your retinol, eye cream, and your serum. At the end of the day, cleanser is going to cleanse your skin, moisturizer is going to moisturize your skin, exfoliant is going to exfoliate your sin and SPF is going to protect your skin. Retinol, eye cream and serum is going to change your skin. A serum that helps even out the skin tone or help with fine lines, or help with brightening, whatever your skincare concern is and goal is, is what you should look into purchasing. But don’t spend a ton of money at Sephora buying name brand items. Go to a medical aesthetician and ask for her advice or come see me if you are local in New Jersey.
6. Exfoliate- The reason why exfoliation is vital in your skincare routine is that it helps all your products penetrate into your skin easier and deeper. It also adds a nice healthy glow. Just don’t purchase anything from St. Ives.
7. SPF- If you don’t take any of my advice on this page but one, let this be the one you take. SPF is everything especially if you are on the younger end of the age spectrum. Sun damage is what makes us look uneven, gives us brown spots, and creates loose, sagging, crepey, wrinkled skin. SPF 30 or higher with zinc will be the best thing you ever do to help yourself look younger. If you’re on the older end of the age spectrum, it helps prevent further damage. Also, skin cancer is scary and can require surgery, or worse chemotherapy and radiation. If you haven’t had a skin exam in a few years please get one, if you’ve never had one, please get one. It could save your life.
8. Neck/Chest- Never neglect your neck and chest. Bring all of your products down into them or purchase a neck and décolletage cream to help keep that area looking refreshed and wrinkle free.
At Home Skin Care Treatments
9. Red Light Therapy Mask- doing a red-light therapy mask every night or even a few nights a week can help your skin looking young and fresh. It helps promote collagen production and evens skin tone.
10. Gua sha/ Ice Roller- Doing any kind of massage to the skin on a regular basis can help with lifting, contouring and boost blood circulation.
11. Collagen Mask- I personally like to do a collagen mask periodically to give my skin an extra little boost. I recommend anywhere from once or twice a month.
12. Routine- Your skincare routine can be as easy as 3 steps or as complicate as 15, but none of it matters if you’re not consistent. It’s easy to get swept up in the hustle and bustle of the everyday and be too tired to do your routine. But you wouldn’t not brush your teeth in the morning or the night- at least I hope you wouldn’t, so I typically recommend keeping everything out on your counter by your toothbrush so you have to look at it morning and night to remind you to do it. Not washing your makeup off for one-night ages your skin by 7 years- please wash your face.
13. Hand Cream- just like your neck and chest, never neglect your hands. It’s one of the biggest giveaways of your age that can be seen by everyone. Also keep them moisturized and make sure you apply SPF on the top of them all year round especially when driving.
In office Treatments
14. Chemical Peels- whether they are superficial to maintain your skin’s health or deep to help boost collagen, elastin, and smooth fine lines and wrinkles, they are the best and sometimes the easiest thing you can do to help look younger. Typically, if you decide to do a deep peel, you’d need a series of 3-6 to get your best results.
15. Microneedling - Another favorite of mine, microneeding causes tiny damage to the skin to help force your collagen and elastin to speed up, thus resulting in a plumper more youthful look. You’d need to do a series of 3-6 to get your best result.
16. Dermaplaning- A fan favorite at my job. It instantly makes you smoother, clearer, and brighter. It removes facial hair or peach fuzz and aides in product production.
17. Lasers- I don’t do lasers therefore I don’t know a whole lot about them, but I assume they are similar to chemical peels but go a whole lot deeper.
18. Botox/Fillers- Before I started working in plastic surgery I always assumed only rich famous people did Botox and fillers. The most famous person I thought of at the time was Joan Rivers. But working where I do, I noticed that pretty much everyone does it. The doctors make it look so natural and so real that you would just never know the patient had anything done, but in a very good way. This may not be for you, and that’s okay but I can’t make a list on how to look younger without mentioning Botox and filler. If you do plan on getting it done, always go to a doctor, preferably a plastic surgeon as they deal with aesthetics of the face all day long.
Hair
19. Eyebrows- eyebrows can change your entire face. The thinner the brows the older you appear. The thicker and bolder your brows, the younger you look. If you don’t have the hair, that’s okay there are ways to make it look like you do with several options: micro blading, micro shading, tinting the hair you do have, coloring in the hair with makeup, or getting an eyebrow serum or castor oil to help the hairs grow.
20. Hair- same as your eyebrows, the thinner your hair is the older you appear. Getting a hair cut or style that can not only make your hair look fuller but also your face would be a plus. If you’re able to dye your hair at least a few times a year that’s a natural color, that also helps you appear younger. Sadly, when women start to go white/gray they appear “old” yet when men go white/gray and they look distinguished. Staying with a natural color as long as possible will help you look your best.
21. Lashes- Same as the eyebrows and hair on your head, as we age the more sparse our lashes become. Wearing a nice mascara to make the lashes look darker and bolder, or getting a lash tint and lift, or getting extensions or a serum or castor oil to help them grow are all great options.
Sleep
22. Pillowcase- Be sure to only sleep on silk or satin to decrease puffiness and lines on the face.
23. Hours- Sleep is vital to our health but also looking younger. Being sure to get plenty of good sleep will help keeping you look refreshed and revitalized.
24. Relax- De-stressing whether its at some point in the day or right before bed will help you look young.
Style
25. Clothing-Finding a style that works for you is great, and finding clothes that fit is also great. Sometimes our clothing can age us. I’m not recommending you dress like your teenage daughter, but a lot of women have this mindset that because they’re a certain age or a mother they can no longer dress a certain way. I’m here to tell you, that’s bogus. Flattering clothing and finding clothes that can accentuate your body in the right places will always be key.
26. Posture- The way you carry yourself is important. Keeping your back straight and shoulders back will do wonders for your appearance.
27. Smile- Kim Kardashian famously doesn’t smile in photos to keep her from aging. Maybe that could be true, but I personally think someone that smiles and laughs gives off a girlish charm. Don’t scowl, smile.
28. Teeth-Speaking of smiling, make sure you are up to date on your cleanings and x-rays, and brush them at least 2X a day. Sparkling white teeth can make you look young and healthy.
Diet
29. Eat healthier- Unfortunately, our metabolisms are no longer what they used to be when we were in our 20s. Cleaning up your diet and paying attention to what you’re putting into your body is important for looking and feeling our best.
30. Limit Caffeine- drinking large amounts of caffeine can dehydrate you, and dehydration can cause some to look more tired, and unfortunately older in the process.
31. Avoid Alcohol and Drugs- This should come as a no brainer. It’s no surprise how much drugs and alcohol can age the average person. As we get older, the hangovers last days, always ask yourself before consuming a drink if it’s worth it.
32. Water- Staying hydrated as stated above is everything. Drinking half your weight in water is what you should aim for everyday if possible. Drinking water helps aid in digestion, helps with your skin, hydrates you, and keeps you fuller longer.
33. Collagen- The best way to get your collagen is through ingestion, and in liquid form. The second best is through powder form. Making smoothies with collagen or just mixing it in water or however you decide, will help with your hair, skin and nails to grow stronger and healthier.
34. Vitamins and Supplements- Be sure to get regular physicals with your primary care physician to see if you are deficient in anything and supplement with the appropriate vitamins your doctor recommends.
Makeup
35. Foundation- choosing your color wisely, using a creamy or liquid base as sometimes powders can be harsher on aging skin.
36. Blush- opt for a subtle pretty color in upward motions on the cheeks to draw the eyes up and create a lifting effect on the cheek bones.
37. Eyes- Less is usually more in this case. No harsh, dark, bold liners, no dark eyeshadows with tons of shimmer. Choose brighter, lighter colors to open the eyes, soft black and brown liners on the lash lines as opposed to the water line, and if you’re going to do a cat eye only do a tiny flick to lift the eyes.
38. Lashes- Choose natural looking lashes or wispies. Curl your natural lashes first, then apply the lashes and then apply your mascara. Lashes now have options where you don’t need glue you just stick them on which are less messy and easy to apply. Do not wear so much mascara that your lashes look like a spider’s legs.
39. Concealer- choose a creamy or liquid concealer a shade lighter than your foundation to add a brightness under your eyes.
40. Lips- choose flattering colors that go with the rest of your makeup. Don’t go too bold or flashy on the lips either as a lot of times, that area can age quite a bit and we don’t want to draw more attention to it.
41. Contour- Using a bronzer contour your cheekbones and jawline, which can help draw the eyes up to appear more lifted.
42. Highlight- tip of the nose, Cupid’s bow, highest point on the cheeks, center of forehead, etc. highlighter can give the skin a dewy look which tricks the eye to think it’s hydrated even if it’s not and thus will make you appear more youthful.
43. Blending- Blending is everything. Blending will keep the makeup from settling too much in the wrinkles. It helps create and bring an entire look together. We don’t want to draw attention to any one part of the face so by blending everything it will appear smooth and bright.
Exercise
44. Walking- For some people going to the gym sounds scary or daunting. Walking 7-10,000 steps a day can help with stress, cortisol, weight and energy levels.
45. Gym- If you are someone that can physically go to the gym aim for 45-60 minutes 3-5 times a week. Focusing on a least 30 minutes of strength training and 15-30 minutes on cardio.
46. Strength training- This type of exercising has been proven to help with building and maintaining muscle mass, weight loss and weight maintenance, improving your cardiovascular health, protects bone health, improves your mood and mental health, and helps you live longer.
Mental Health
47. Socializing - Whether you join a gym, a hiking group, a pickle ball team, a yoga class, a book club, or just have regular girls nights with friends, socializing especially while doing something for your mind and body has been a key factor in helping you live longer.
48. Saunas- Saunas can help with blood circulation, detoxification, and stimulate collagen.
49. Meditation- Quieting your mind everyday for a few minutes helps you de-stress and de-compress. Mental health can age you if you’re not taking care of what is going on inside you. Stress can age your mind and your body and can sometimes manifest harmful toxins in your body to make you sick.
50. Gratitude- Being grateful and thankful everyday and practicing these emotions are proven to help reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and emote positive feelings that benefit you both mentally and physically.
Bonus
51. Sunshine- Good ol’ vitamin D can help lift your mood, your energy, and your nervous system. Making you happier. Typically, happier people, tend to look more youthful.
Did I miss anything? What tips or tricks do you do to help look younger? Share in the comments below!