1. Don’t smoke. If you do smoke, STOP! Smoking causes damage throughout the body, inside and out. Quitting smoking cannot completely reverse the damage, but it can stop it from getting worse.
2. Shield your skin from the sun. The sun’s rays age skin and cause wrinkles, leathery skin texture, and age spots. Use moisturizer and broad-spectrum sunscreen on all exposed parts of your body, especially your face, every day.
3. Improve your diet. Antioxidants help protect cells from harmful free radicals that cause aging, so eat lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains for maximum antioxidant protection. Be sure to consume plenty of vitamins C and E for youthful skin. Omega-3 fatty acids help maintain the structure and fluidity of cells and moisturize the skin from within.
4. Take anti-aging dietary supplements. These can provide more antioxidants for younger looking skin and general health.
5. Drink green tea. It is packed with antioxidants and can help prevent cancer, heart disease, and dementia. Green tea can also improve your body’s ability to burn fat so you can lose weight more easily. If you don’t like drinking it, take a concentrated green tea powder supplement.
6. Moisturize and exfoliate for improved hydration and protection from free radical damage. Find an anti-aging moisturizer with high levels of retinol or peptides, which can reduce and prevent wrinkles. Exfoliate twice a week so your skin can soak up all the hydrating benefits of your moisturizer.
7. Get plenty of exercise. Proper exercise keeps your body strong and healthy and can prevent numerous health problems. Exercise also improves oxygen and nutrient flow, which improves skin health.
8. Get plenty of sleep. If you are over the age of 40, you need to be sure to get enough sleep. When you are sleeping, the body releases growth hormone, which stimulates cell turnover.
9. Reduce your stress. Stress hormones suppress the immune system and speed up aging. Avoid stress when you can, and be sure to take time to relax.
10. Drink more water. Your skin, brain, and every other part of your body need water to function properly and stay healthy. Water helps deliver nutrients throughout the body, and hydrated skin stays firm and has fewer wrinkles.