How to Look Younger

Looking younger than your age is something that many men and women would actually die for. The relentless pursuit for youth has led to many women and men opting for drastic measures, from searching the fabled "fountain of youth" to opting for cosmetic surgeries and Botox treatments.

This obsession with youth has been exploited by a number of commercial cosmetic companies which have products that claim to miraculously reduce the signs of aging. However, not only are they expensive, but the effectiveness of these anti-aging creams and skin care products is also quite debatable.

So how can you look younger than your age, without having to spend a fortune on cosmetic surgeries and skin care products?

Eat to Look Younger: Foods rich in antioxidants help in neutralizing the free radicals that can cause wrinkles and sun damage. Moreover, they also flush out the toxins in the body caused by pollution and smoking.

Not only do these foods slow down the aging process, but also help in fighting diseases such as heart diseases, cancer, and high blood pressure. Some of the best antioxidant-rich foods include:

• Berries (Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries etc.)
• Green tea
• Broccoli
• Tomatoes
• Garlic
• Spinach
• Carrots
• Soy
• Whole grains and cereals

Make sure that your diet is healthy and balanced, and you drink eight to ten glasses of water per day. Proper nutrition is your key to looking younger.

Avoid sugar and other sweet stuff that can leave your skin dry and wrinkled due to the glycation process. Include protein rich foods and omega-3 fatty acids in your diet to repair the skin cells and avoid the problem of sagging skin.

Protect from Sun Damage: Sun exposure, especially on a long-term basis, can cause wrinkles, fine lines, and brown age spots that can make you look much older than you really are. This causes a breakdown of the collagen in the skin, thus, resulting in a loss of elasticity and skin firmness. Look for sun protection formulas with SPF 15 to 30 that are rich in antioxidants and contains vitamins A, C, and E which help reduce the sun damage.

Get your Essential Sleep: Lack of enough sleep can cause puffy, dark circles under eyes. Moreover, the fatigue that ensues after a sleepless night can increase the cortisol or stress hormone in the body. This causes a reduction of the skin collagen and the appearance of age lines on the face and the body. Improve your sleep habits and make sure you get enough sleep. This will certainly help in the cell renewal process and keep the age lines at bay.

Proper Skin Care: Face scrubs and peels made at home can help you slough off the dead skin on face and the body. This not only helps you get rid of the dead skin cells and boost the skin radiance but also helps in increasing the collagen production in the body. Before you exfoliate, remember to clean your face to remove the dirt and makeup off your face. This will remove the sheen, dirt, and bacteria off the face helping it look radiant and fresh.

Once you have exfoliated your face, use a moisturizer to hydrate your skin. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid restore the hydration balance of the skin, while products like lanolin prevent the water from escaping from the skin.

In addition to the cosmetic formulas available in the market, you can also use natural moisturizers like olive oil and coconut oil to reduce the skin wrinkles that are caused by a dehydrated skin. Use products containing retinoids that have the potential to reverse the damage caused by aging.

You also need to go for regular facials, manicure, and pedicure to keep the skin firm and elastic. With the appropriate makeup and some lifestyle and diet changes you can easily turn back time.