The way in which our skin ages is a very personal thing and I think that a lot of it really does come down to genetics. But, with that said, there are a lot of environmental factors that can really impact our skin and the likes of excessive exposure to the sun, drinking too much alcohol, smoking and a poor diet all contribute to how well our skin ages (or doesn't...) and how much our skin glows.
Fortunately for me, the genes in my family seem to be pretty good and my mum in particular looks incredible - especially for her age. She literally has hardly any wrinkles and her skin is honestly just super smooth (it's smoother than mine!) So, I'm hoping that I'll be as lucky as she is and I'll age well. But, there's no counting on that and I completely advocate the phrase 'prevention is better than cure', so I'm willing to try lots of different lotions and potions, as long as they promise me those anti-aging results that I'm after.
As you lot know, I'm a little bit of a babbler so before I go on with myself too much, let's get to it and let's talk about all the products and methods you should be trying to get that ageless, flawless and youthful look.
My 5 Top Tips On How To Make Your Skin Look Younger
1. Exfoliate Twice A Week
Depending on your skin type or how sensitive your skin is, you may wish to exfoliate more or less than this, but as a general rule, twice weekly is plenty for most people.
In my opinion, the best type of facial scrubs are the ones with super fine beads that are really compacted into the scrub. A couple of my favourites include the MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator and the Kiehls Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub - both of which last for absolutely ages as you only need a small amount of product, and the skin really does look so fresh and youthful after use. Right now though, the exfoliator I just can't get enough of is the No7 Total Renewal Micro Dermabrasion Exfoliator from Boots (you can read 'Getting Perfect Skin With The No7 Microdermabrasion Exfoliator' here!). This scrub is so affordable and it's honestly just fantastic.
For best results, I leave the scrub on my face for 2-3 minutes after massaging into my skin for that super fresh, clean feeling and a complexion that's just completely clear and gorgeous. This stuff is fabulous and I'd recommend it to anyone. It really refines the pores and it's great for sloughing away daily grime and dead skin cells that can clog pores and age the skin.
2. Use A High Quality Eye Cream
Eye cream is one of those things that it genuinely took me such a long time to get on board with. I think because I do spend so much money on all things cosmetics, buying eye cream when I'm only in my mid-twenties just always felt like a bit of a waste to me. However, after the lovely team at Clarins sent me the Clarins Multi Active Eye Cream, I've been completely converted.
Expertly designed to reduce puffiness and dark circles, this eye cream is absolutely gorgeous and now, I wouldn't ever be without it. The texture is a little more like a gel than a cream which makes it really lightweight and nice to apply, and it's got an ever-so-slightly pearlescent glow to it that really illuminates the eye area and brightens up the entire face.
I find that if my eyes look bright then my entire face just looks 100 times better and thanks to this product, my eyes always look fresh and awake.
Using eye cream when you're younger is a great way to prevent the development of fine lines and wrinkles and it's a really good habit to get into whilst you're still young. As most of you will probably know, youthful skin is more elastic than mature skin and when we're younger, our skin absorbs product much more easily, so it's a great idea to make use of these qualities and take care of our complexions early on.
3. Moisturise Twice A Day
I'm always completely horrified when I read about women online that refuse to use moisturiser. I think because my mum has always drilled into me the importance of moisturiser, I've always understood just how important it is - and this is something I would relay to anyone, especially someone concerned about their skin ageing.
For me, moisturising my skin is such a hugely important part in my skincare regime and the thought of missing it out is just completely alien to me. Every now and again, I do change my moisturiser - things like the weather will prompt me to invest in something heavier or lighter depending on how my skin has changed - but right now, the only thing I'm using is the amazing Clarins Lotus Oil.
I'm forever preaching about this product, but that's because it's just so amazing. This particular oil is formulated for those with oily or combination skin, but Clarins make a whole range of facial treatment oils to suit every skin type.
What's great about the Clarins oils is that they're lightweight, they smell amazing and they leave the skin looking and feeling completely fabulous. I love how dewy my skin looks after using this oil and I genuinely do feel that it's the best product for my skin. Generally speaking, I would almost always choose an oil as opposed to a cream moisturiser as I prefer the texture of oils, but if you prefer the feeling of creams, this is fine, too.
I'm a huge fan of Clarins and I'd strongly recommend their moisturisers to anyone looking to optimise the look of their skin and prevent the first signs of ageing. Clarins also do a range expertly designed for ageing skin, so if you're especially concerned about lines and wrinkles, this collection is just what you need to give your complexion that youthful glow you're craving! You can read my blog post 'My Clarins Lotus Oil Review' here.
4. Drink Lots of Water
Drinking lots of water is just a general, everyday habit for me now and because I'm so used to drinking so much H20, I barely even think about it. However, for others, I know that drinking more water can be really difficult. Whether you hate the thought of needing the loo more at work or you simply don't enjoy drinking water, I get it, but honestly, the benefits really do outweigh the positives massively - and if you really want to get that skin glowing, it's time you started chugging!
On average, I drink about 3.5 litres of water per day and while I'll admit, I do probably need the loo more than other people, my skin definitely thanks me for all that additional H20. You see, drinking water doesn't just rid your body of all the toxins that may be lurking inside of it, it also naturally cleanses the skin and keeps our complexions looking plump and beautiful.
In my opinion, drinking more water is a complete no-brainer. It's good for you, it's good for your skin and if you're drinking it from the tap at home (which we are lucky we can do in the UK!) it's not costing you anything, either. Do it, and you can thank me later.
My blog post 'How To Get Perfectly Clear, Beautiful Skin' talks more about the importance of staying hydrated and how water can improve your skin, so be sure to have a read once you're finished with this post!
5. Curb Those Bad Habits
Drinking doesn't agree with me anymore and I've never smoked, and so curbing those bad habits isn't exactly a challenge for me. However, I know that a lot of other women gain relief from having a smoke and their Friday night simply isn't complete without a large glass of red. Ladies, I totally get it, but if you really want to get that gorgeous glow and revive your complexion, then you may have to make a couple of sacrifices - starting with smoking and drinking.
Smoking has been known to age the skin, particularly around the mouth, and drinking excessively isn't great for your skin, either. And look, we all have our vices, so I'm not bossing you around and telling you 'you have to quit!' but maybe think of ways that you could cut down? Limiting that 'glass of red' to literally just ONE glass of red is a great place to start and if you smoke, try having one cigarette rather than two on your lunch break. These little changes will be hugely beneficial not just to your skin, but to your overall health. Give it a try!
So there you have it, my 5 top tips on how to make your skin look younger - I hope you found it useful!
If you have major skin concerns or you're already suffering from ageing or the signs of premature ageing, speak to a dermatologist. Chemical peels, non-surgical lifts and subtle fillers are more expensive but effective ways to improve the look of your skin. But please note, these treatments must be taken seriously. Take time to research the treatment you are interested in and be sure to book in with a qualified professional. Many salons now promise quality Botox injections and fillers but the staff are simply not qualified to carry out these procedures. If you are prepared to pay more and go to somewhere more reputable, the results will be better and the aftercare you receive following your treatment will also be of a much higher standard.
Also, if you're new to skincare or you're simply looking to invest in some high quality staple skincare products, the brands that I would recommend purchasing from include:
- Clarins - I've been using this amazing beauty brand for years & I'm yet to discover a product I don't absolutely love
- Kiehl's - this beautiful brand is one of my ultimate go-to skincare creators. Their extensive range of products promise to rejuvenate the skin and give it an amazing glow. My favourite products include the Turmeric and Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Mask and the the Midnight Recovery Concentrate!
- Clinique - this is one of the first skincare brands I ever tried and one that I'd recommend to anyone
- Origins - this fabulous brand is bursting with amazing, effective products that promise to brighten up your complexion. For me, nothing compares to the Ginzing collection!
I hope this helps my beauts!
Lots of love,
Grace x
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