How to keep skin looking young

What can you actually prevent?

Natural aging makes skin thinner, less plump and less smooth. Wrinkles, dryness and slower healing become more common. Collagen and elastin, proteins that give skin strength and stretch, decline with age. Menopause can also make skin thinner and drier. Preventing premature aging means reducing additional damage from sunlight and lifestyle habits, not preventing every line.345

Photoaging means premature aging caused by ultraviolet light from the sun or tanning equipment. It can cause uneven color, rough texture, spots and wrinkles, especially on the face, neck, hands and upper chest. Treatments can improve these visible effects, but they cannot reverse the underlying DNA damage. Protecting skin remains useful even after sun damage has appeared.16

Make sun protection the daily priority

Choose a water resistant sunscreen with broad spectrum protection and SPF 30 or higher. Broad spectrum means protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Apply sunscreen to skin not covered by clothing, including on cloudy days and in winter.1457

Put sunscreen on 15 to 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply at least every two hours, and more often when swimming, sweating or rubbing your skin with a towel. Limit exposure when sunlight is strongest, particularly between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. during summer. Clouds do not block all ultraviolet rays. Wear a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses and lightweight clothing that covers your skin; clothing with a UPF label offers a way to identify ultraviolet protection.14

Every skin tone is susceptible to sun damage, including skin that rarely burns. Some medicines increase sensitivity to sunlight, so ask your pharmacist whether yours do. Avoid tanning beds and deliberate sun tanning. If you want a tanned appearance, use a self tanner instead, and continue sun protection while using it.67

Build a routine you can repeat

1. 1Cleanse gently. Wet your face with warm water, apply a mild cleanser with your fingertips in gentle circular motions, rinse completely and pat dry with a clean towel. Avoid scrubbing.
2. 2Moisturize daily. Choose products suited to your skin's needs rather than treating oily, dry and sensitive skin as interchangeable. Moisturizer traps water in skin, helping it look more youthful.
3. 3Protect exposed skin before going outdoors. Use broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, alongside shade and clothing.
4. 4Cleanse before bed to remove makeup and accumulated dirt. Wash after heavy sweating, too.

For general care, wash when you wake and before bed. Drier aging skin can suit a mild cleanser once daily instead. Avoid harsh soaps and hot baths or showers, which can worsen dryness. Use moisturizer every day, and consider a humidifier if dry indoor air is a problem.457

Which ingredients help existing lines and spots?

Retinoids, a family of vitamin A based ingredients, are among the most effective topical options for wrinkles. They boost collagen, improve skin thickness and smooth the surface. Retinol and retinal are available without a prescription; tretinoin and tazarotene are prescription options. Retinoids work especially well on early signs of sun damage, including fine lines, spots and roughness.56

Vitamin C can help brighten skin, even out tone and reduce dark spots. For dryness, a fragrance free moisturizer containing glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be useful. Apply moisturizer after showering and whenever skin feels dry. Pick an ingredient for the change you want to address rather than adding every category.5

Gentle chemical exfoliation can remove dead surface cells and refresh skin's appearance. Once or twice a week is an option, but follow the product's directions rather than increasing the frequency for faster results. Chemical exfoliants are preferable to abrasive cloths or loofahs for aging skin. Using too much can leave skin raw and irritated.5

What should you expect from skincare?

Many products promise to reduce wrinkles, but FDA approval for aging or sun damaged skin is limited to a few products, so the front of the jar is not a clinical credential. Many antiaging products are cosmetics, which do not require human testing or FDA approval before sale. Choose products for a specific purpose, not just an antiaging label.34

Moisturizer improves hydration and appearance; it does not stop natural aging. Spot fading products work over time rather than removing pigmentation immediately. Daily sun protection gives skin a chance to repair some existing damage while limiting further exposure. There is no single timetable that applies to sunscreen, moisturizer and wrinkle treatments alike.15

Which habits make a difference?

• Stop smoking. Smoking accelerates wrinkles and skin aging, and quitting often leaves skin looking healthier.
• Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. A few studies suggest this helps prevent premature damage; diets high in sugar or refined carbohydrates are linked to faster aging.
• Reduce alcohol. Excess alcohol dehydrates and damages skin over time.
• Exercise regularly. Moderate exercise improves circulation and supports healthy aging.
• Prioritize sufficient, good quality sleep and manageable stress levels. Poor sleep is linked to faster cellular aging, and stress affects substances that help keep skin plump.

When should you stop or see a dermatologist?

Stop using ordinary skincare products that sting or burn. Irritation can make skin look older. Prescription aging treatments sometimes cause these sensations; tell the prescribing dermatologist rather than treating them as something to ignore. Seek medical advice for very dry, itchy skin or aging changes that appear suddenly, become painful or worsen quickly.12

Check your skin monthly. Have a new growth, a sore that does not heal, a bleeding mole or a spot that changes assessed by a doctor. Do not assume a changing patch is simply an age spot.4

If existing wrinkles, pigmentation or lost fullness bother you, a dermatologist can discuss peels, lasers, injections and other targeted treatments. These improve appearance rather than remove the cause of premature aging. Discuss risks before choosing a procedure, especially laser treatment if you have very dark skin, are pregnant or are prone to scarring.25