While we still have yet to find the fountain of youth, science has made tremendous strides. And while self-care may seem pretty self-explanatory, staying young and keeping a youthful appearance takes a rather different approach than just your average bubble bath and face mask. Over the years I have tried to pay close attention to what keeps a person looking younger than they really are. Here are my observations as gathered from the past twenty years of my life.

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FEET:

I used to be the girl who always had to have a full set of nails. It was awesome and felt so luxurious, but I couldn’t help but feel guilty every time I left the salon. Then it hit me one day. I should do my own nails and focus on my skin. Since the bottom of my feet need more work than my hands, I felt it was a better investment to get pedicures. It was confirmed that dry and cracked feet can age you, when sitting in a meeting I could see a woman’s feet where I immediately assumed she must have been in her sixties, and since I had not seen her face, her feet were the only thing I had to judge her on. Well at the end of this meeting when she had gotten up and turned around I realized she was probably my age in/or around her late 20’s. What a wakeup call! Ever since then I make sure to give my feet extra care at home and at the salon. I still get my nails done but mostly for special occasions. So, when it comes to shelling out cash at a salon, remember feet over hands and then your face. You don’t need to get a facial every week, but I do feel it’s been a better investment for me. Which brings me to my next observation. A facial skin care routine.

MORNING AND NIGHT ROUTINES:

I used to believe just a simple face wash would do the trick. After speaking with a dermatologist I’ve learned its better to use an entire system. For the day, I use a simple face wash, toner and moisturizer. Before I leave the house I make sure to use sun block. If I wear makeup, my foundation also includes SPF. In addition to that I use a mist to keep my skin hydrated. My night time routine is a little different. I use a cleanser, serum prep, serum and moisturizer. I love la roch pose  serum and olay regenerist night cream. Also when using moisturizer make sure not to stop at the face. Take it further and use your skin care products on your neck and chest.

NECK AND CHEST:

Actress Diane Keaton is infamous for wearing a scarf all the time. When she was asked why, she said because she wanted to hide her neck. She felt it was aging her harshly. Had she known to protect it from the sun beforehand she probably would have felt differently. So when doing your morning and nightly routine don’t skip those very vulnerable areas. There are even anti aging strips for your chest while you sleep. And while I’m at it, sleeping on your back will help prevent neck and chest wrinkles. So get into the habit of sleeping on your back if you can. It’s not easy and will take a lot of practice, but if you want to have a youthful appearance, this will help.

HAIR:

One of the most noticeable attributes of a woman is her hair. Thinning hair at a young age will add years to your appearance. Try a new look or shampoo that adds volume to your hair. If that still doesn’t work try extensions or a wig.

LASHES:

Ever worn fake lashes and then taken them off in the evening? Woof. I felt bald the first time I ever did it. Another wake up call for me! You don’t even need to wear fake lashes if you don’t want to. Mascara helps, and now they have serums to help you grow thicker fuller lashes naturally.

LIPS:

I can have a full face of makeup, thick hair and thick lashes, but if I don’t wear chapstick or take care of my lips, it ruins the look entirely. For years I suffered from chapped lips and could not find anything that worked until I found Aquafor. If you suffer from chapped lips start a search for something that works for you.

ELBOWS, KNEES, THIGHS & CELLULITE:

This one is pretty simple. If your skin is visible to others, don’t get caught with dry skin. I have quite a bit of cellulite, and if i don’t use lotion it looks much worse. I have seen photos of myself, and they were not flattering. So again, Moisturize.

VITAMINS:

When was the last time you took a multivitamin? This has no instant overnight effects, but the long-term use has its benefits. I’ve tried several in my life, but I prefer the gummies. I can take them without needing to drink something and they don’t make nauseous on an empty stomach.

H20:

Coffee lover just like me? Drink it all day? Me too. I won’t give it up. I absolutely refuse to give up the only thing that helps get me through my day. But there is such thing as too much. It will dehydrate you if you don’t drink water before your coffee and in between your next 5 cups of the day. An article from bolopen.com states you should drink 2 cups of water per every cup of coffee. I should also mention, all the coffee I drink has taken a toll on my teeth which is the next topic on my list.

TEETH:

Not everyone can afford to go to the dentist and get a set of pearly whites, but brushing your teeth 2 times a day will help with several aging factors. Yellow teeth and bad breath is not a good look for anyone. Do yourself a favor, and spend a little extra on toothpaste, floss and whitening strips. Today’s market provides more options for straightening teeth on a budget. So if a crooked grill is robbing you of a youthful appearance take a look at your options. Here’s one my friend ordered:

SMOKING, DRUGS & ALCOHOL:

I don’t think I really need to go into too much detail on this one, but just in case you are in high-school or junior high reading this, I will tell you this will zap your youth quick. If you need help, start now. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

MENTAL HEALTH:

Stress affects your sleep; your lack of sleep affects your skin. If you’ve got symptoms of depression or health issues that affect your sleep, see a doctor. There are teas that can help and avoiding caffeine towards the evening might help as well.

STAY ACTIVE:

I have a grandfather who still works in his eighties, but walks like he is in his sixties, whereas my Uncle who is in his sixties is very stiff and slow which makes him look older than my grandfather. I’m not saying that my grandfather practiced yoga, but he stayed active. My observation is that someone who walks swiftly appears younger. I think staying active helps, and adding yoga or stretching to your day will give you long term benefits to feeling younger longer. This brings me to my final and most worthy observation in my opinion, your posture.

POSTURE:

Take care of your back! From personal experience if you work a job where you standing, stooping or lifting anything, just make sure you are mindfull. If you have a fall of some sorts, get it checked out. A bulging disc can open the door to many other diseases that effect your posture. So do yourself a favor and take care of your back no matter how young you are. If you realize you don’t have the best posture while sitting at your desk, walking or standing, try to remember not to slouch. WebMD says, “Pretend you’re standing against a wall to measure your height. Hold your head straight and tuck in your chin. Your ears should be over the middle of your shoulders. Stand with your shoulders back, knees straight, and belly tucked in. Don’t let your booty or hips stick out. Straighten up so you feel like your head stretches toward the sky”. Got all that? Try it sooner rather than later and you will thank yourself 20 years from now. If you have trouble at work I would look into purchasing a back brace. You can find plenty online but here is a more up-to-date one I would use. It’s got an app, and doesn’t include a huge bulky back strap.