Secret Tricks to Looking Younger After 50, Say Experts
Age is inevitable, but looking your age doesn't have to be. There are a variety of tips and tricks that can be employed with very little cost—zero gimmicks—and shave a few years off your looks. We asked the experts for the ones you may not know already. Read on for their top 7—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.
Don't Forget to Wear Sunscreen…On Your Neck and Hands
"Science shows the condition of your skin has a big impact on how old people think you are," says Dr. Myles Spar, Chief Medical Officer of Vault Health. "To keep wrinkles and sunspots at bay, wear sunscreen, use a basic moisturizer, and drink plenty of water." And don't forget to apply sunscreen to your neck and hands; they can wrinkle and show off your actual age faster than your face sometimes.
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Limit Your Caffeine Intake—It Can Cause Dry Skin
"Coffee is essential to many men and women, but it also causes damage to your skin, especially if you're prone to acne or other common skin conditions," says Rebecca Fitzgerald, MD. "Our cosmetic dermatologist advocates our patients drink plenty of water and maintain a well-rounded diet because a healthy body equals better skin for most patients. In California, we already battle dry skin and sun damage, which makes drinking enough water more important, and drinking coffee can make these problems worse. Essentially, water-intake is key to healthy skin, and coffee is not the ideal way to stay hydrated."
Stick to This Sleep Ritual
"You can regulate sleep patterns — prepare for bed with a 15 min pre-sleep routine," says Chester F. Griffiths, MD. "Close the day by removing electronics from the bedroom." Consider starting a sleeping ritual. "Whether it's curling up with a book, listening to calming music or taking a warm bath, doing the same, relaxing thing every night will signal to your body that it's time to settle down. However, avoid watching TV or looking at any laptop, tablet or smart phone screens before hitting the hay, since those activities can trigger your brain to stay awake," suggests the experts at Sleep.org. Sleeping works for Penelope Cruz. Her mom always "said to eat healthy and get a solid amount of rest. I remember her sounding like a broken record telling us to eat our veggies and go to sleep," she previously told InStyle. "She annoyed me, but now, as a mother, I hear myself saying the same things."
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Say "No" Sometimes
"My best anti-aging tip is the ability to say no, no, and h**l, no," actress and former America's Got Talent judge Gabrielle Union, 48, told Women's Health back in March. "We run ourselves ragged saying yes to every freaking thing, whether it's to our family, spouses, or careers. I sleep eight hours a day and don't let myself stress out. A lot of people call it selfish, but I don't have any wrinkles," Union said.
Spray Yourself With Rosewater
"No matter what age you are, you always look a little better when your skin is a little dewy, not too powdery. I went through phases where all I wanted to do was be matte and powdered up, but then I found it wasn't the best look for me," she told InStyle.com. "Before I do my makeup, I spray my face with rosewater and let that sink in. It keeps my makeup looking very dewy, and I feel like it just makes me look more youthful, alive, and fresh."
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Take a Hike
"Hiking is an excellent activity for dual tasking since it requires movement, balance, vision, proprioception, decision-making, all great cognitive activities that occur while you are working your legs, your lungs and your heart," Dr. Dan Ritchie, founder of The Functional Aging Institute, has said. "This can have a powerful anti-aging effect."
Use Olive Oil
Whether you're using it to bake or make homemade dressings, olive oil is likely among your pantry staples. While you may already know it's good for your ticker, you may not be aware that it's also a powerful wrinkle-fighter. Unlike saturated fats, and partially hydrogenated oils found in many processed foods, olive oil is a healthy fat teeming with omega-3s, which have been shown to keep skin safe from free radical damage. The antioxidants found in olives may also help reduce skin damage that can lead to wrinkles and blemishes. And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don't miss these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.
