7 Steps to Fresher & Younger Skin

STEPS FOR YOUNGER, FRESHER & GLOWING SKIN

SUDS UP AT NIGHT

The most important time to wash your face is before you hit the sack. Dirt, bacteria, and makeup left on overnight can irritate skin, clog pores, and trigger breakouts. Remove this top layer of grime with a gentle face wash, which also allows anti-aging skin care to penetrate deeper for better results. To refresh skin in the morning, splash with lukewarm water.

BE UV OBSESSED

Nothing is more important than wearing sunscreen (ideally, SPF 30) every day if you want younger-looking skin. Even 10 minutes of daily exposure to UVA “aging” rays can cause changes that lead to wrinkles and sunspots in as few as 12 weeks. If your moisturizer isn’t formulated with a built-in broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen, be sure to apply one daily to block both UVA and UVB rays.

MANAGE STRESS

Emotional upheavals can make your skin look 5 years older than your chronological age. Constant anxiety increases the stress hormone cortisol, which causes inflammation that breaks down collagen. It also triggers a chain of responses that can lead to facial redness and acne flare-ups.

EXERCISE REGULARLY

Studies find that women who work out regularly have firmer skin than similar non-exercisers. The reason: Exercise infuses skin with oxygen and nutrients needed for collagen production. To keep your skin toned, make time for at least three 30-minute heart-pumping workouts per week.

COOL IT DOWN

To protect your skin, cool down your shower temperature and be sure to always sit at least 8-10 feet away from a heater or fire.

LIGHTEN UP

A common mistake we’re all sometimes guilty of is wearing a little more makeup than needed. Instead of piling foundations and concealers on top of your skin, try a lighter base.

CHANGE YOUR PILLOWCASES REGULARLY

Washing your sheets—especially the pillowcases—as often as possible is incredibly important. Think about it. You’re resting your face on it for hours and hours every night, so it wouldn’t be good for it to be dirty, causing the dirt and oil within the fibers to be transferred to your just-cleansed face.