40+ Tips and Tricks That Can Help You Look 10 Years Younger

40+ Tips and Tricks That Can Help You Look 10 Years Younger

We all want to look youthful and vibrant, regardless of how old we actually are, and the trick is to make the necessary lifestyle changes as early as possible. Prevention is easier to manage than correction, so it’s best to start thinking about the “future you” now. Whether you’re in your 20s or 40s, or already a beautiful 60-year-old, these tips and tricks will help you look like you’re aging backward!

Exercise

Getting a daily workout in will keep your body healthier, your mind sharper, and your appearance youthful. Not to mention that proper exercise can help prepare your body for the natural changes that occur when aging. For example, focusing on balance via yoga can help make a fall in your older age much less dangerous.

Exercise

According to a study done at Brigham Young University, people who work out regularly were significantly biologically younger than those who didn’t exercise as much. Well, it looks like it’s time to break out our running shoes!

Antioxidants

Eating antioxidants isn’t only good for your overall health and disease prevention, but it can benefit your appearance too. Antioxidants prevent and treat fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, and uneven skin tone, making for overall smoother skin.

Antioxidants

You can get your antioxidants by eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It’s best to have these foods every day, if possible. Blueberries have been coined the ‘king of antioxidants,’ so if you’re a fan of these berries, feel free to stock up on them!

Don’t Use Products That Create Smoke

If you’re a fan of products that fill your lungs with smoke, we’re here to tell you that it’s time to quit. The harmful effects those products have on the body are endless! For the sake of this topic, we’ll focus on the effects these substances have on one’s appearance, but the harm to health shouldn’t be overlooked.

Don’t Use Products That Create Smoke

In terms of beauty, these products cause premature aging, wrinkles, stained teeth, and an odor that most people find unpleasant. So put down the lighter, it isn’t worth it.

Fermented Products

Consuming fermented foods can help with digestion and inflammation. Examples of such foods are yogurt, kefir, kimchi, miso, kombucha, and sauerkraut. Beauty products with fermented extracts in them are also a good idea, as they help with calming and brightening the skin.

Fermented Products

Look for products with fermented ginkgo biloba nut or mushroom extract. According to dermatologist Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, a fermented beauty product “helps to keep the skin’s pH healthy and balanced, supports skin’s protective barrier, and alleviates irritation and dryness.”

Sleep

We all know that not getting enough sleep is bad for both our mental and physical health. But did you know that a poor sleep schedule can age your brain three to five years?! In terms of a youthful glow, people don’t call their rest ‘beauty sleep’ for nothing!

Sleep

Getting at least seven to eight hours of shut-eye a night can dramatically decrease the signs of aging. Keep in mind that if you don’t currently feel at your healthiest size, sleeping more also helps with weight loss.

Healthy Fats

We tend to think of fatty foods as bad, but there’s such a thing as healthy fat. Eating foods that are high in healthy fats will increase the skin’s elasticity as well as make the skin appear more smooth and supple, creating a more youthful look.

Healthy Fats

Such foods also protect the heart, reducing the risk of clotting, high blood pressure, and deteriorating blood vessel function. Foods with healthy fats include avocado, fish, olive oil, seeds, nuts, beans, and eggs.

Relax

Stress can reduce the skin’s elasticity, resulting in dry, dull skin and wrinkles. It also contributes to unwanted weight gain and a whole host of health complications. Therefore, although it’s easier said than done, it’s important to try to live as calmly as possible.

Relax

Activities that can reduce stress include meditating, resting, taking a walk outside, yoga, and socializing. It’s also worth noting that pets, specifically dogs, are great at helping relieve stress, anxiety, and depression. This fun fact is a surefire way to convince anyone who’s hesitant about getting a pet to adopt a four-legged friend!

Reduce Your Salt Intake

We love Salt Bae’s style of cooking just as much as the next person, but the truth is that salt is pretty unhealthy. We know that salt causes bloating in our stomachs, but what many people aren’t aware of is that it has the same effect on the face.

Reduce Your Salt Intake

Foods that are high in sodium can make your face appear puffy, especially under the eyes. The best way to wane yourself off salt is to replace it with sodium-free flavors, such as garlic, herbs, and lemon juice.

Drink Water

Drinking water will help with your health, weight control, and keeping your skin looking dewy and youthful. We’ve all heard the advice about having eight cups of water a day, but it turns out that’s pretty outdated.

Drink Water

According to Trent Nessler, the managing director of Baptist Sports Medicine in Nashville, “It depends on your size and weight, and also on your activity level and where you live. In general, you should try to drink between half an ounce and an ounce of water for each pound you weigh, every day.”

Stay Away From Adult Beverages

Even the best of us enjoy an adult beverage from time to time, but it’s best to moderate your intake of such drinks if you want to stay youthful. These drinks dehydrate you and, according to dermatologist Marnie Nussbaum, “dehydrated skin is more likely to appear dry, sallow, dull, and crepey.”

Stay Away From Adult Beverages

So, maybe try to tone things down on your next night out? If you’re not ready to give up your adult beverages just yet, make sure you drink extra water while enjoying your other drinks.

Handle Your Hands

Our hands tend to be the first things to age, but we can avoid rapidly maturing hands by taking extra care of them. Use hand cream, make sure not to forget your hands when applying sunscreen, and wear gloves for tasks that may be tough on your skin (for example, washing dishes).

Handle Your Hands

It’s also a good idea to get manicures from time to time, as the procedure will exfoliate your hands and strengthen your nails.

See a Dermatologist

People often think that they don’t need a dermatologist if they’re not interested in invasive cosmetic procedures. However, a good dermatologist should be able to provide you with a personalized skincare routine that doesn’t necessarily involve any expensive or dramatic treatments.

See a Dermatologist

For example, a dermatologist can prescribe stronger topical creams than you can get in the cosmetic aisle of a pharmacy. Of course, a medical professional can also spot signs of health problems on your skin that you may not even be aware of.

Wear Sunscreen

We all know about the importance of sunscreen, but, unfortunately, many people still tend to underuse this essential product. The truth is that you should be applying SPF of at least 30 on all areas that your clothes don’t cover. We suggest wearing sunscreen every day, regardless of the weather, and certainly not just at the beach.

Wear Sunscreen

The sun’s UV rays can penetrate through clouds, causing potential harm to your skin, as well as creating wrinkles. So, whether you can see the sun or not, throw on some sunscreen anyway!

Moisturize

You probably know how important moisturizing is, but do you know the right way to go about it? According to dermatologist Dr. Craig Kraffert, it’s best to apply your creams within three minutes of washing your face or body — before you dry off.

Moisturize

“All those pricey anti-aging products you’ve invested in will work more effectively if you use them on clean, moist skin. Not only will you get the benefits of the moisturizer itself, but you’ll help seal in the hydration from the water.”

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is beneficial in both food and topical creams. Dermatologists disagree as to whether or not eating Vitamin C is helpful for maintaining youthful skin, but it’s definitely good for your body’s overall health. It can be found in foods such as kale, peppers, and citrus.

Vitamin C

That being said, pretty much all the experts agree that topical Vitamin C helps in warding off wrinkles, dark spots, and sun damage. We’d air on the side of caution and take both types of Vitamin C!

Teeth Whitening

A tell-tale sign of maturing is the deterioration of the teeth. So, keeping your pearly whites, well, pearly and white, is essential to looking youthful. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, and avoid drinks that stain the teeth, such as coffee, tea, and red adult beverages.

Teeth Whitening

Quitting the usage of products that fill your lungs with smoke can also improve your smile. If you’re past the point of prevention, you can always brighten your chompers using whitening toothpaste and whitening strips — consult your dentist for the best option for you.

Watch Your Posture

Our bodies become used to certain motions and postures that we repeat on a regular basis. Unfortunately, that means that if we’re continuously using a posture that creates wrinkles or fine lines, it’ll quickly become a habit.

Watch Your Posture

One example that we’re probably all guilty of is looking down at our phones. Instead, try holding your device at eye level while sending a text. Implement little tricks like that throughout your day to ensure that your whole body, but especially your face, is upright and tight.

Let Your Hair Air Dry

While it’s easy to focus solely on our face and body to maintain a youthful appearance, our hair has a big effect on how old we look as well. As we age, our hair can become damaged more easily, losing its volume and shine.

Let Your Hair Air Dry

A great way to prevent this is to be kind to your hair and let up on the heat styling tools. Really, you should be using heating tools on your hair no more than once a week. Trust us, your tresses will thank you!

Liquid Concealer

If you find that your skin has acquired some wrinkles, it’s best to switch to liquid concealer rather than powdered foundation. Powdered foundations tend to settle into fine lines, making them more noticeable. Liquid foundation, on the other hand, blends much more easily, hiding wrinkles.

Liquid Concealer

The hydrating properties in liquid makeup will also benefit your skin much more than a powder. Fun fact, liquids and creams last on the skin longer anyway, so there’ll be less need for touch-ups!

Stick to Warm Foundation Colors

As we get older, our skin naturally gets a bit paler, so using a warmer-colored foundation can help keep you looking young and glowing. Makeup artist Sandy Linter explains, “Even if you have ivory skin, you need to go a little bit warmer as you get older.”

Stick to Warm Foundation Colors

Her fellow makeup artist Chrisanne Davis added that it’s best to stay away from matte foundations as well as cooler tones. “A light-reflective formula makes the skin look like it’s glowing.”

Change Up Your Haircut

There’s a reason that women tend to change their hairstyle as they get older; certain haircuts hide the signs of maturing really well, creating a more youthful appearance. Bangs and soft layers cover wrinkles along your eyes and forehead.

Change Up Your Haircut

If you feel that you’re lacking elasticity in the upper part of your face, pull your hair back tight for a completely natural facelift. For women who are self-conscious about the lower part of their face, use long layers to hide your jawline.

Lighten Your Hair Color

We all know to cover our grays if we want to appear younger. However, not everyone knows the best way to go about that. If you dye your hair a dark color, you’ll have to re-dye it often as the grey hairs will keep popping up.

Lighten Your Hair Color

If you opt for a lighter hue, though, the grays will blend in and look more like highlights than actual gray hairs. Furthermore, dark hair tends to accentuate fine lines and wrinkles. Rather than a sultry brunette, try out being a blonde bombshell instead!

Upgrade Your Wardrobe

This is a tricky one, as you want to dress age-appropriately, but you also don’t want to look worn out. A good trick is to find stylish clothes that’ll hide body parts that show signs of aging.

Upgrade Your Wardrobe

For example, a scarf can cover a sagging neck, while a sweater can hide jiggly arms. Jewelry can serve as a way to catch the eye without drawing attention to wrinkles. At the end of the day, though, these tips only work if you feel confident in that clothing.

Use the Right Makeup Brush

A lot of women try to massage or rub concealer into their under-eye area in an attempt to cover up dark circles and crow’s feet. However, this method will only stretch the skin around the eyes, accentuating the signs of aging.

Use the Right Makeup Brush

Instead, use a small, flat makeup brush on the eye area. Keep in mind that the skin around the eyes is about ten times thinner than the skin on the rest of your face, so be very gentle with it.

Hats

We already know that we don’t want too much sun exposure, so a stylish hat can be a great way to enjoy a day in the sun without inviting too many UV rays. If hats aren’t your thing, you can always use a bandana or carry an umbrella around.

Hats

Of course, the bigger your hat is, the more protection it’ll offer, but you want to go for at least a three-inch brim. Not only will a hat keep your face wrinkle-free, but it’ll also prevent heatstroke!

Avoid Toxins

There are a lot of toxins in the environment, and we can’t really avoid all of them, but we can take precautions to make sure we’re affected by these toxins as minimally as possible.

Avoid Toxins

Drive with the windows up when in heavy traffic. Avoid hanging around people who are using products that fill their lungs with smoke. At the end of the day, make sure to exfoliate and wash off all the toxins you’ve encountered in your environment.

Shake Your Sugar Habit

We’re not saying to never enjoy a piece of birthday cake or a donut, but we are saying that an excess amount of sugar can age you prematurely.

Shake Your Sugar Habit

Dr. Ajay Kumar Ajmani explains, “High sugars lead to an increase in the Glycation of proteins leading to the formation of advanced glycation end products, which can cause functional and structural damage to them, resulting in fast aging.” It’s worth noting that natural sugars, such as fruits, are fine — it’s processed sugar that’s the problem.

Cut Down on Caffeine

If you’re a coffee or tea lover, it may be time to switch to a decaf option. Caffeine messes with our blood vessels’ ability to produce collagen and deliver antioxidants and nutrients to the skin.

Cut Down on Caffeine

As a result, too much caffeine can cause the skin to wrinkle and sag. Don’t worry, though, we’re not saying, “never have a cup of joe!” We’re just suggesting you perhaps limit yourself to one or two cups a day if you want to stay truly vibrant.

Facials

There’s no need for invasive or dangerous procedures if you want to look youthful. Instead, just head over to a spa and get a facial! Regular facials can keep your skin looking fresh, smooth, and young without any of the risks bigger procedures have.

Facials

One type of spa treatment that can help your skin is derma planning, which is an exfoliating facial. There’s also micro-needling, which stimulates collagen. A CO2 lift is basically a face mask times 10. Lastly, you can try a VI peel, also known as a chemical peel.

Blend Your Makeup

Blending your makeup is always important, but even more so when you’ve got wrinkles or fine lines that you’re trying to smooth out. One trick to blending is making sure your skin is well-moisturized before applying your makeup.

Blend Your Makeup

If you’re worried about looking too shiny, simply go for an oil-free moisturizer before starting your makeup routine. When blending, make sure to use gentle dabbing motions and upward strokes that follow the natural contours of the face.

Catch Some Sun

Okay, we know we’ve emphasized the importance of protecting yourself from the sun, but it’s also necessary to get some sunlight if you want to look younger.

Catch Some Sun

Vitamin D keeps our bones, skin, and hair healthy, so while you don’t want to overdo it, you do want to make sure you’re not living like a vampire. Ideally, you should be aiming for 30 minutes of sunlight a day, while wearing sunscreen and protecting your head, of course.

Grow Out Your Eyebrows

Remember when Cara Delevingne became famous and, suddenly, everyone was growing out their eyebrows? As it turns out, the bushy eyebrow beauty trend is backed by science! Our hair tends to thin as we age, including our eyebrow hairs, so full eyebrows are psychologically associated with youth.

Grow Out Your Eyebrows

For a younger look, let your eyebrows grow out a bit, and when you do shape them, don’t create a harsh arch. Given how painful and time-consuming tweezing can be, we’re gonna take this as a win!

Mascara

You may not have thought twice about skipping mascara when you were young, but as we age, this beauty product becomes more and more crucial. Mascara, eyelash curlers, and fake lashes can all come in handy if you want your eyes to look large and bright.

Mascara

Long, luscious eyelashes make people look energized and awake, two things that are most certainly equated with youth. And, of course, wide eyes are associated with youthfulness due to the fact that children are known to have large eyes.

Collagen

Collagen is what strengthens, hydrates, and gives our skin elasticity. Our bodies naturally produce less collagen as we age, resulting in dryer skin that can become wrinkled. While collagen supplements are always an option, there are a lot of foods that help the body produce more collagen as well.

Collagen

Such foods include berries, garlic, chicken, fish, bone broth, egg whites, and many citrus and tropical fruits. Sleep, healthy eating, exercise, and steam bath therapy can also boost collagen production.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is beneficial both as a topical cream and ingested via food. Consuming this vitamin boosts collagen production, enhances the immune system, improves the skin and softens wrinkles, and prevents age-related macular degeneration (blurred vision).

Vitamin A

Overall, Vitamin A slows down the body’s maturing, both inside and out. Vitamin A can be found in carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and mangos. Using topical creams with Vitamin A in them will treat acne, splotchy skin, fine lines, and rough skin. You can use creams, serums, or oils to get this vitamin’s benefits.

Cover Crow’s Feet

Crow’s feet are the wrinkles that appear first, for most people, giving away their age. While many believe that crow’s feet are cute, and we’re inclined to agree, they can be a source of insecurity for a lot of women.

Cover Crow’s Feet

If you do want to cover up these wrinkles, make sure you’ve got the right technique. If not, you can make them even more noticeable. Prime the skin with some form of moisturizer, apply liquid concealer in an upward, circular motion, and (if you want) finish with a setting spray.

Try New Things

There’s a reason that certain people seem to age overnight — it’s because they’ve stopped living a physically and mentally active lifestyle. Trying new things will keep your brain sharp, and your body will follow suit.

Try New Things

Research shows that people who feel younger actually do look younger, so make sure that you’re not giving up on yourself. Take up a new hobby, join a class, travel the world, and do whatever it takes to keep your mind and body working!

Vitamin E

Vitamin E prevents signs of maturing, such as age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. It also helps the skin keep that youthful glow by stimulating blood flow and collagen production. Vitamin E can even help with hair growth and shine!

Vitamin E

This vitamin can be found in nuts, seeds, vegetable oil, and avocado. Like so many other nutrients, you can find Vitamin E in topical creams, oils, and serums. On that note, many people believe topical Vitamin E can help with stretch marks and scarring, although that’s yet to be scientifically proven.

Wash Your Face

Washing your face twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, is the absolute minimum. If you sweat a lot, it’s best to cleanse even more often (always blot sweat, rather than wipe).

Wash Your Face

Make sure you’re completely removing your makeup at the end of each day, too, so it doesn’t clog your pores. While rinsing your face isn’t that exciting of a tip, it’s one of the most important ones. Some experts even say that neglecting to cleanse your face can age your skin by three months!

Check Your Facial Expressions

We’re not suggesting that you act like a robot and stare blankly at things throughout the day. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that overexaggerated facial expressions can cause wrinkles.

Check Your Facial Expressions

If you notice you’re squinting at your laptop, maybe try computer glasses. If you’re someone who scowls a lot, perhaps soften your face a bit. Again, feel free to express yourself, but maybe aim for laugh lines rather than a furrowed brow.

Nude Lipstick

Bright red lips may have been your signature look in your 20s, but as you age, nude lipstick becomes the better option. Chanel Meekins, the co-founder of Pierre Michel Beauty, explains, “Nudes, light pinks, and corals are all great choices.”

Nude Lipstick

“The reason these shades are ideal for looking younger is that they give the appearance of fuller lips. […] One thing to keep in mind as you shop for a new lipstick is that the darker the shade, then the thinner your lips will look.”

Vitamin D

Vitamin D, otherwise known as the Sunshine Vitamin, helps with fine lines, wrinkles, and acne. It also does a lot for the body in terms of preventing age-related diseases. A great way to get some Vitamin D in your food is to eat eggs, fish, mushrooms, beef liver, and orange juice, as well as dairy products fortified with Vitamin D.

Vitamin D

The Sunshine Vitamin can also be applied topically via creams, which is particularly helpful in fighting psoriasis (a condition that causes flaky/scaly skin).

Face Yoga

Some people swear by face yoga, while others insist that it doesn’t do anything. We see it this way: there are many potential benefits and no risks involved, so why not try it?

Face Yoga

The idea behind its effectiveness is that we work the muscles in our body to keep them fit and tight, so why wouldn’t we do the same with the muscles in our faces? There are lots of face yoga apps, workshops, and YouTube channels if you do choose to give this exercise a try.

Exfoliate

It’s important to find the Goldilocks zone of exfoliating. You definitely want to make sure it’s a part of your skincare routine. However, it’s important not to overdo it. Exfoliating removes dead skin to reveal a smoother and more youthful complexion underneath, so it’s certainly worth adding to your regimen.

Exfoliate

However, over-exfoliation can be counterproductive as it irritates the skin. A telltale sign that you’re overdoing it is if your face stings when you wash it or apply your other products. It’s all about finding that happy medium!

Be Confident

Remember that confidence is beautiful, so own your age — whatever it may be! Growing older is an honor that, unfortunately, not everybody gets to have. So, rather than feel bad when you notice a new wrinkle or see a gray hair coming in, recognize that you get the privilege of reaching a mature age.

Be Confident

So, love every laugh line, and smile at every bit of sagged skin, it just shows that you’re having experiences and embracing life — which means you’re doing it right!