We all want to look forever young!! Is that even possible??…UH NOOO! Can we slow down the aging process with the right methods?? YESS MAM!!! Do you need to go under the knife to do this? ABSOLUTELY NOT! That is why I am here to help rescue your skin before it’s too late! My goal with this article is to help you look your best while achieving natural results. We can use filters all the time, but let’s face it–they can’t follow you everywhere, and they don’t conceal your problems in reality!
So let me break down my top 4 tips to achieve younger skin:
Step 1: Clean your pretty face!
Well even though this may seem like a no-brainer. Many folks think that they don’t need to cleanse their face daily. I have heard so many times, “Well I don’t wear makeup so therefore, I don’t need to wash my face daily.” NOOOO!! This is far from the truth! Whether or not you wear foundation, it is crucial to wash your face with an appropriate facial cleanser according to your skin type not only to wash away your makeup, but to get rid of toxins, dirt and oil that builds up on your face throughout the day. Cleaning your face properly can also minimize the look of large pores and dull skin. So now you will think twice about falling asleep in your makeup!
Step 2: Exfoliate 2-3x a week using retinol or skincare acids.
Normally skin sheds every 28 days. However, as we age, this rate decreases. As cell turnover rates decrease, it becomes necessary to implement the use of an exfoliator to help shed dead skin cells. In turn, your skin will thank you as it starts looking more youthful and radiant.
Exfoliating will make your skin appear more youthful as old dead skin cells are being replaced. Foundation will also look smoother as you now created a smooth base of it to sit on. I recommend exfoliating no more than 2-3 times a week. Any more won’t do you any good as it will further irritate sensitive skin.
If you are using retinol products, then consult your dermatologist whether you need to add another exfoliator to your skincare routine. Retinol is a chemical exfoliant and potent enough to remove dead skin cells alone. Read more about retinol and the best retinol products HERE.
Step 3: Moisturize your skin!
Just like you wouldn’t go a day without drinking water, you shouldn’t go a day without moisturizer. “Do I have to moisturize if my skin is oily?” The answer is YES! Oily skin does not mean that your skin is hydrated! It may actually be the opposite; Your skin may be dehydrated (lacking moisture) which means your skin produces more oil to compensate for the lack of moisture. Nonetheless, moisturizer is also crucial to help skin balance PH levels and normalize oil production.
If your skin is oily, be sure to opt for a non-comodegenic oil-free moisturizer with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, urea and glycerin. If your skin is dry, be sure to opt for a moisturizer full of emollients such as dimethicone, shea butter or jojoba oil. For some moisturizer recomendations, read my article HERE.
Step 4: Wear your sunscreen of choice daily
Whether rain or shine, you MUST wear sunscreen daily. I made the mistake of skipping sunscreen up until I turned 25, and boy did I pay the price. I suffered from mild hyper pigmentation as a result and had to spend so much money trying to find the proper product to fade away my sun spots. Even then, I didn’t get too much luck as it extremely hard to get rid of them once they arise. Sun exposure has been shown to be responsible for 80-percent of visible aging. If you don’t already have a sunscreen you love, now is the time to find one.
For sensitive or acne-prone skin, look for a zinc-based mineral sunscreen. In addition to protecting skin from UV rays, zinc also regulates oil production and soothes inflammation. The other option is a chemical sunscreen, which absorbs and neutralizes UV rays through a chemical reaction. These guys are often clear, and don’t leave a white cast. To make sure you’re getting enough protection, make sure to choose a sunscreen with at least 30 SPF—anything much higher than 50 probably isn’t giving any extra benefits.
All of my top picks for exfoliators, sunscreens, and moisturizers can be readily found on Amazon HERE! All links are from authorized sellers on Amazon.
To Shop my recommended products for each skin type, click HERE.