Frown lines. Smile lines. Crow’s feet. Number elevens. No matter what you call those unwelcome changes to your skin, you’re certainly not the only one who misses those days when all you needed was a cup of coffee and a hot shower to look wide awake and presentable.
The good news is that you really don’t need to spend a lot of money to retain a youthful appearance. Here are 6 tips for keeping a youthful appearance””without draining your retirement funds in the process.
Exercise. Staying active is good for your waistline””we all know that””but did you know that it can also keep those fine lines at bay? Exercise stimulates circulation, which improves skin tone and texture, according to New York dermatologist Dr. Kavita Mariwalla. Cost: Depends on how you choose to burn calories; walking is FREE!
Keep it clean. What’s the difference between soap and a facial scrub? It just may be the difference between, “You look great! Did you just take a vacation?” and, “Oh no, were you up all night again?” A really good, exfoliating cleanser like Acure Organics Brightening Facial Scrub with Sea Kelp Plus Chlorella Growth Factor will get rid of daily impurities while stimulating and brightening your skin tone””without breaking the bank. Cost: Under $15.
Grin and bear it, even if it’s unbearable. If you’ve got reasons to frown, it might not be such a bad idea to fake it with a smile if looking youthful is important to you, according to a 2011 study in the journal Psychology and Aging, which found that people who appear happy are more likely to have their ages underestimated. Cost: Smiling is FREE!
Moisturize with the right ingredients. The anti-aging business is bursting with all kinds of products meant to turn back the clock””many of the higher-end brands cost quite the pretty penny. You do need to moisturize to keep a fresh, dewy look””but you don’t need to fork over hundreds of dollars to get the job done. What does matter: the ingredients. Most experts will point you in the direction of vitamin E, an anti-oxidant that’s great for skin tone, texture and elasticity. Jason Moisturizing Crème Vitamin E Age Renewal is one of our bestselling beauty products here at Vitacost.com””for good reason. Offer additional anti-aging TLC to the delicate skin around the eyes with Avalon Organics Revitalizing Eye Cream With Vitamin C“”which contains organic white tea, melatonin and lemon biflavonoids for the ultimate in free radical defense. Cost: $20 and under.
Yes, you really do need a night cream. It might sound like marketing hype, but it is true: a night cream will work more deeply and effectively than a lotion meant to be applied during the day (which has to be lightweight enough to survive under makeup application, after all). Alba Botanica’s Natural Even Advanced Sea Plus Renewal Night Cream cleverly calls itself “the preferred choice in evening wear” because it tackles those telltale signs of aging””uneven pigmentation and dull spots””using a marine complex enriched with DMAE and thiotic acid. Cost $17 or less.
Avoid crash diets. Looking thinner often equals looking younger””but if your weight is constantly yo-yo-ing, your skin may pay the price. Plastic surgeon Dr. Alexander P. Moya explained in a WebMD webcast that excess or “loose” skin is a common side effect of drastic weight loss. Keep your body and your skin toned with slow-and-steady dieting approaches rather than looking for instant results. Cost: Maintaining a healthy weight and a youthful look might not be free, but we think it’s PRICELESS!