It’s a fact of life that aging is a natural process. But, throughout history, people have always been in search of ways to prevent the onset of aging.

You may have already heard countless stories about this search—from the biblical story of Eve’s vain desire to take a bite of the apple from the tree of life, to Cleopatra of Egypt who was known for her beauty rituals, to Ponce de Leon’s search for the fountain of youth, to present-day discoveries of formulas that promise a beautiful, youthful glow.

In 2020, the anti-aging products industry worldwide reached a value of $40.49 billion, and it is

projected to hit a 5.4% compound annual growth rate by 2028. This means that more people are

embracing the value of skincare and becoming conscious of the need to take care of their bodies—all in hopes of defying the aging process.

Nowadays, there are numerous options available to address the signs of aging on your face and skin—from traditional herbal remedies and improved cosmetic products to new medical procedures. A lot of literature has been written about anti-aging secrets, but here are important things that you can do right away if you want to look younger than your age.

Start with What You Eat

What you put into your body will reflect on the outside. As the saying goes, “garbage in, garbage out.” Here are some changes in your eating habits that you can immediately start.

• Cut down on the following items in your diet

1. Sugar – Dermatologists believe that sugar has inflammatory properties that damage the skin. Yet the moment you stop consuming too much sugar, the skin shows significant improvement. Hard, wrinkled, and blotchy skin is the result of regular use of refined sugar in your diet. Opt for fruits instead to curb your sweet cravings.
2. Sodium – Too much of this ingredient can lead to moisture loss in your skin. Avoid processed meat and junk food as well, as these have high sodium content.
3. Alcohol – Free radical damage and skin dehydration result from too much alcohol intake, so step away from too much drinking.
4. Coffee and soda – Both of these have high caffeine levels, affecting your sleep that can significantly contribute to aging.

• Go for food rich in antioxidants

These food items are highly beneficial to your skin and overall health: nuts rich in vitamin E, vitamin C-laden tomatoes and red bell pepper for wrinkles prevention, greens such as watercress, broccoli, and spinach, and fruits such as papaya.

• Hydrate with the right stuff

Water is essential to retain skin moisture, so hydrate with fresh and clean water. There are also varieties of tea that are good for anti-aging because of their rich anti-oxidant properties—chamomile, green tea, hibiscus, and white tea are some examples.

Kickstart These Lifestyle Changes

Making small positive changes in your life right now can have beneficial effects on the way you look. You only need to invest your time and effort, plus a sense of discipline and commitment, to achieve the goal of looking younger.

• Get seven to nine hours of sleep per day

Avoid all-nighters, as lack of sleep stresses the skin and the body as well. Sleep is a very important mechanism for the body to repair itself. When you sleep, blood circulation is improved. Sleep also allows the skin to produce collagen and repair damage that causes wrinkles.

• Have a regular exercise routine

When you exercise, your blood circulation improves, and oxygen is received by skin cells. With a good supply of oxygen, the skin cells are nourished and wastes are washed away. Researchers have established that when you engage in moderate to intense physical activity, cell aging is delayed. Subscribe to a fitness app, watch online fitness tutorials, or go for an old-fashioned run.

• Try intermittent fasting

Dermatologists call this the “fountain of youth”. If you sleep for eight hours, fast two to three hours before and after sleeping. This allows the skin to enhance its ability to repair itself.

• Keep away from stress as much as possible

Stress can affect you both physically and mentally. Practice wellness techniques such as meditation or take brisk walks to get fresh air and relieve yourself from stress.

Implement a Skin Care Regimen—and Follow it Religiously

Having great skin is vital because the skin is what you wear every day. Your skin affects your overall appearance, and with all the harmful elements the skin is exposed to, you must start a skincare routine early on to prevent long-term damage.

Here are the most basic things you can easily do to delay the onset of skin aging.

• Put on sunscreen

Make sunscreen a part of your daily routine before you go out—and even if you stay indoors to block UV rays that can pass through glass windows. Put it on your face, neck, chest, and the back of your hands. Remember that sunscreen with higher SPF will protect you better especially if you stay outside most of the day.

• Cleanse, tone, treat, and moisturize

According to dermatologists, these steps constitute the most basic routine you have to follow in preventing skin aging.

• Cleansing removes accumulated dirt that clogs the pores. But for better results, double-cleansing is recommended to exfoliate the skin.
• Toning restores the skin’s pH levels and enables the skin to better absorb the rest of the other products you will apply in your regimen. You could opt for repeated toning, too.
• Treating the skin involves using serum or cream that contains vitamin C or other ingredients, which can help repair skin damage and prevent acne.
• Moisturizing is essential in hydrating the skin.
• Carefully study which products to use

Make a thorough research on products suitable for your skin type and the issues you want to address. You could consult with skincare experts to get more professional advice. But, in general, these are some of the types of products suggested for an ideal skin regimen.

• Micellar water or cleansing oil for the first cleansing of your face, and then follow this up with second cleansing using a water-based foaming facial cleanser that gently exfoliates your skin
• Toner with no skin-drying content such as alcohol
• Water-based essence that powers up moisture retention, maximizes the effects of other skin care products like moisturizers, and provides a glow to the skin
• Serums loaded with antioxidants and vitamins, such as vitamins and hyaluronic acid or herb-based oils
• Moisturizers that hydrate the skin without leaving a greasy look and feel, and which you can layer on your face several times
• Sunscreen for the face and body that offers good SPF protection
• Masks used occasionally to refine pores and hydrate the skin, such as clay masks or honey masks

Best-Kept Secrets from Other Cultures That You Can Try

Here are additional tips from cultures around the world that you may find effective for preventing aging and having beautiful skin.

• The Chinese use rice water to cleanse their face. This is a practice that has been done since the Qing Dynasty, as they believe rice water is loaded with antioxidants that benefit the skin.
• In Thailand, lemongrass is used for facial steam because of its antibacterial properties that cleanse the face and the pores.
• Indonesians love to use turmeric as a body scrub. Known as “lulur,” this scrub was traditionally given to Indonesian princesses for them to have glowing skin.
• Nigerians turn to shea butter and black soap to moisturize their bodies.
• Japanese people focus their skincare on sun protection, avoiding exposure as much as possible and using layers of moisturizers and serums. Masks are also popular in Japan.
• Swedish people are fond of having steam or a hot sauna to rejuvenate their bodies.
• South Koreans, who recently popularized the “glass skin” phenomenon—an almost perfect and flawless complexion—are known for lengthy and intensive beauty routines. They follow a 10- to 12-step routine, adding the process of exfoliating, toning, and sun protection to the basic routine.

A Holistic Approach to Aging Beautifully

As a final note, before you go about stockpiling on anti-aging cosmetic products, consider first and foremost the most basic things like your lifestyle and the food you take. It also helps to consult your dermatologist so you’ll know the most suitable products for your type of skin or specific skin conditions you might have.

Indeed, a lot of anti-aging secrets may be credited to a skin regimen that is complemented by a healthy lifestyle and positive outlook in life. While aging is a normal process that everyone has to accept, it is possible to age beautifully if you take a holistic approach to caring for your body. You may not see the effects right away, but regularly caring for your skin and body care will ultimately be worth every effort for your overall health and wellbeing.