8 Things You Can Start Doing Now to Look Younger

When it comes to how old you are, age is really just a number. A study published in December 2013 in Population and Development Review found that there are a lot more factors that should go into determining age than how long you’ve been alive.

But what if you have early wrinkles or years of sun damage have resulted in thick, older-looking skin? How can you resolve this to make your face soft and look younger again?

Dermatologists from the American Academy of Dermatology recommend starting with one skin-care product at a time. Test it on your forearm a few days before applying to your face. If any product stings or burns, stop using it immediately. Also, be sure to follow the instructions on the product and avoid overuse. Consistently using a product as recommended may lead to younger-looking skin, so give it time to work.

Many different ingredients are touted to make you look younger. But buyer beware. Only choose products with ingredients that have been shown to make your face soft and younger looking. For instance, retinol is a vitamin A compound and the first antioxidant to be extensively used in nonprescription wrinkle creams. Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, helps protect skin from sun damage. Green tea is used in skin-care products because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

According to Mayo Clinic, when looking for wrinkle creams, look for the following ingredients, which are filled with antioxidants, alpha hydroxy acids, and anti-inflammatories that will improve the appearance of wrinkles:

• Coenzyme Q10
• Grape-seed extract
• Hydroxy acids
• Niacinamide
• Peptides
• Retinol
• Tea extracts
• Vitamin C

The most proven way to look younger is to avoid the sun. The sun is not your friend. Exposure to the sun’s UV rays is the primary reason for skin aging. Take tanning off your to-do list if you want younger-looking skin. Repeated tanning leads to early wrinkles, dark age spots, and even skin cancer as UV rays speed up the aging process and cause thick, damaged skin. In fact, sun exposure is the No. 1 reason for early signs of aging in the skin, including redness and uneven pigmentation.

Protect your hair and skin — and prevent future wrinkles — by always wearing protective clothing, sunglasses, and a hat. Also, use sunscreen on your face every day — even days when its cloudy or cold outside — before going outdoors. Prevention of wrinkles is a much easier way to look young than spending hours at a cosmetic surgeon’s office.

Don’t smoke as it causes damage to the collagen and elastin, weakening the skin and resulting in sags and bags. Women who smoke at a young age will notice sagging skin and premature wrinkles long before their nonsmoking peers.

There are plenty of super-simple things you can do to keep your complexion healthy and have younger-looking skin regardless of what birthday you most recently celebrated. Andrea Robinson, the former head of beauty for Ralph Lauren and Tom Ford and the author of Toss the Gloss: Beauty Tips, Tricks, and Truths for Women 50+, shares her insider knowledge on what anti-aging products really work, makeup tips that are guaranteed to make you look younger, and more.

When shopping for skin-care products, there are three powerful ingredients you should look for to maintain younger-looking skin, says Robinson. One, check the label for a serum containing antioxidants like vitamin C (Robinson likes Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Aging Daily Serum), which will help brighten your skin. Two, add retinoids, which increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen renewal, to your routine. And three, start using an alpha hydroxy acid exfoliator to remove the top layer of dead skin cells (Robinson is a fan of Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads, which are gentle enough to be used daily). Use these three products as directed on the label to make your face soft and look younger.

Whether it’s humid and 90 degrees outside or chilly and rainy, sunscreen is a must to look younger no matter what. So add it to your daily routine if you haven’t already, since sun damage not only causes wrinkles but can leave you vulnerable to skin cancer. “Use at least an SPF 30, but don’t waste your money on anything higher than SPF 50 since there is little evidence that higher SPFs provide more protective benefits,” Robinson says. Try Paula’s Choice Moisture Boost Daily Restoring Complex SPF 30, which is packed with vitamins and moisturizes dry skin, helping to make your face soft.

“Heavy foundation tends to settle on the rough patches or into the lines of the face,” Robinson says. “What is needed as we age is a good transparent moisturizing foundation or tinted moisturizer. Avoid anything with a powder base.” For younger-looking skin, Robinson recommends Philosophy Hope in a Jar Hydrating Foundation, which provides light to medium coverage. She also suggests using a primer before applying foundation. “A primer makes your foundation roll on more smoothly, filling in lines and pores; minimizes dark circles; and makes all makeup last,” she says.

There is one easy way to get some color safely and look younger: Use a gradual self-tanner. “Nothing beats a little healthy glow on the body and face at this stage in life,” Robinson says. “With a gradual build, you’ll see minimal streaking, blotchiness, and buildup on the ankles, soles of the feet, and knuckles.” On your face, use a cream blush to perk up your complexion and make it look younger. “It blends more easily over rough patches or lines,” Robinson says. “Apply in a circular motion with your finger and blend the edges.” She likes Laura Mercier Crème Cheek Color in Praline, a neutral brown.

A bright, bold eye shadow or a product with shimmer and glitter will make wrinkles more noticeable, and it won’t make you look younger. “These products do not flatter or look attractive on skin or lids that are beginning to show tiny lines or have rough patches,” Robinson says. “Dark shades combined with lighter neutrals are the most forgiving and youthful choices for the lids.” And skip liquid liner, which emphasizes the delicate and fine skin surrounding your eyes and opt for a soft pencil liner, like L’Oreal Paris Le Kohl Duo Eyeliner, which can be smudged for younger-looking skin.

If you’re wondering how to look younger, put down the tweezers and visit a professional to shape your brows, says Robinson. “Droopy eyes can be changed by slightly arching the brows and extending them toward the temples rather than having the tail curve down around the eye,” she explains. “The arch is an important part of the brow and should have a gradual and very gentle lift.”

“As you age, the neck loses elasticity faster than anywhere else on your body, taking on the dreaded crepey look,” Robinson says. “You should be every bit as diligent and careful about taking care of your neck and décolletage as you are about your face.” To keep this part of your younger-looking skin routine, follow these three steps: Moisturize every morning and night, exfoliate once or twice a week with a gentle scrub, and apply sunscreen daily.

To have younger-looking skin on your hands, remember to always wear gloves while washing dishes and to moisturize frequently. “Chemicals and hot water can strip away the protective lipid barrier on your skin, making it susceptible to irritation and dryness,” Robinson says. “Apply a layer of lotion to your hands each time you put on rubber gloves. Not only will it protect them, it’ll give you an extra dose of moisture.” Robinson’s favorite is Jurlique Rose Hand Cream, which contains safflower-seed oil, vitamin E, carrot-root extract, and aloe vera to protect skin against dryness.