How to Maintain a Youthful Look

Sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat provide added protection from ultraviolet rays.

Genetics, your diet, your lifestyle, the environment and the skin care products your use all influence your appearance. With age, your youthful look can diminish and get replaced with wrinkles, blotchy skin, lackluster hair and excess pounds on your frame. Commercial anti-aging and weight-loss products are a dime a dozen, and knowing which ones to choose can be a challenge. To maintain your youthful look, incorporate the correct products and also focus on leading a healthy lifestyle.

Things You'll Need

• Sunscreen
• Anti-aging skincare products

Instructions

1. Consume a wide variety of different foods so that you get all the nutrients your body needs to maintain its youthful appearance. Include vegetables and fruits, such as blueberries and raspberries, because they are high in antioxidants. Eat salmon and almonds for their omega-3 fatty acids, which help skin retain its moisture. Avoid sugar and unhealthy saturated fats and consume fiber-rich whole grains instead of simple carbohydrates.

2. Incorporate a regular exercise routine into your lifestyle. According to Harvard University, most middle-aged people gain 3 to 4 lbs. per year. Exercise helps keep the excess pounds at bay.

3. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors. Ultraviolet rays of the sun can cause premature aging and uneven skin tone. Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15.

4. Use skincare products that help prevent and reduce signs of aging. Look for ingredients such as alpha-hydroxy acids and vitamin C, which stimulate collagen production, diminish fine lines and combat pigmentation problems.

5. Avoid smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol because these age your skin. Alcohol dehydrates the body; and a spokesman from the British Skin Foundation asserts that smoking causes skin to lose elasticity, reports Medical News Today.

6. Update your hairstyle. Consult your hairstylist about a hairstyle that flatters your hair type and face shape. Consider coloring your hair if you have gray hairs. When in a rush, wear a ponytail to sport a youthful appearance. Add bangs to hide forehead wrinkles.

7. Get at least eight hours of sleep daily. Sleep deprivation can lead to dark circles under your eyes and make you appear fatigued.

References

• WebMD; Foods for Healthy Skin: You Are What You Eat; Colette Bouchez
• Harvard University; Exercise and Aging: Can You Walk Away From Father Time?; December 2005
• Medical News Today; Top Tips for Healthy and Young Looking Skin; Catharine Paddock, Ph.D.; September 2009
• WebMD: Surprising Ways to Reduce Wrinkles Slideshow
• Mama's Health: Young Skin