I’m turning 29 in May and something I think about more and more as I get older is how I can protect my skin from showing signs of aging. I’ve been very open about the fact that I would consider Botox as I age to prevent and smooth out wrinkles, but for now, I’m doing everything I can to delay that because the better I am to my skin now, the more time I’ll have to avoid (or delay) things like injections.
So, what can you start doing now to prevent skin damage?
1. Wear sunglasses-everywhere! It may seem excessive, but for someone like me, sunglasses are a must, even on somewhat overcast days because my eyes are so sensitive to sunlight. Even if your eyes aren’t as sensitive as mine are, you should always be protecting them from the sun. First of all, you’ll squint less, which helps prevent wrinkle formation and secondly, you’ll protect your delicate eye area from UV exposure which causes premature wrinkles.
2. Drink green tea everyday– it’s packed with antioxidants and helps fight free radical damage—it also helps with inflammation and multiple studies prove it can help prevent heart disease and a variety of other ailments. My personal favorite is Bigelow brand green tea with MINT and Tazo “Zen” green tea which has a spearmint flavor to it. I drink mine completely clean (no sugar, no sweetener) and I absolutely love it! I drink about two cups in the morning, one after lunch (it aids with digestion), another cup mid day and then I have a cup peppermint tea with NO caffeine before bed. As someone who used to suffer from major IBS, green tea with mint has proven to be an incredible thing for my digestive tract. I honestly cannot say enough about the benefits of this incredible tea!
3. Wear a big hat. Or any hat, really. When I spend time in the sun (and I’m talking multiple hours, not just running quick errands), I wear a hat to protect my scalp and to shield my face from the sun’s rays. I also use an SPF 60 on my face (I love La Roche Posay’s Anthelios liquid SPF 60), even when I wear a hat. A lot of people have asked if this means my body is one color and my face is another—and the answer is yes. I cheat though because I just use self tanner on my face and it all evens out. Perfect, right!? On that note, if you still use tanning beds, please stop now. I won’t get all crazy about it in this post—but you can read more about my thoughts on tanning here.
4. Start early. Maybe you’re 25 and starting to think about skincare…now is the perfect time! I started using eye cream when I was 25 and each year I’ve been adding new products to help prevent aging. It’s as easy as applying a few creams at night before bed. That’s it! The payoff is definitely worth the few minutes of effort. The more you can prevent or delay now, the longer you can hold off on treatments later on.
5. Drink more water. This is one I have to work on too. Keep an extra large plastic tumbler on your desk at all times and keep it full of water. I always drink more water when I use a straw and when I make it accessible. Remind yourself to drink water every hour. Hydrating from the inside will make you look even better on the outside! Dehydrated skin doesn’t have that young, healthy glow that we all covet…so drink up!
Since we are on the topic of aging, I filmed an interview with KHOU 11—a local news station about beauty superfoods and it aired on today’s morning news. I was honored to be involved and had a great time doing the segment. You can watch my segment here.
xoxo,
Lauren says
This is great information! I am a Dermatology resident physician, so I whole-heartedly support the use of hats and sunscreens every day!
http://www.headofclass.blogspot.com
Alicia says
I loved these ideas! I saw a few of your past posts with pictures of hats you have, but I'd love to hear more about them. I know I need to wear one, but I really am intimidated by choosing/buying sun hats!
Justine says
Totally love that you have the face one color, body another problem too! Since I've gotten some major treatments to improve my skin, I never let it get sun, and it's baby's bottom white. I use bronzer to hide it, though. 🙂 (and huge hats are a must in the sun!)
Anonymous says
How are you preparing for sagging skin, drooping eyelids, and an old-looking neck?
Rachel says
Great tips! I definitely need to get a hat for the summer! Thanks for the reminder:)
http://www.rachelsnest.com
Mrs. C says
Also reduced stress = reduced wrinkles!
Curlijuli says
Hi Veronica! Loved your video segment – elegant and well-spoken as usual!
I too swear by sunscreen and never leave the house without putting it on. What I am still in doubt about are eye creams. I'm 26 and have much less wrinkles than all of my friends, and I really believe it is due to not wearing eye makeup as a teen = I didn't touch the skin around my eyes as much as others did.
When I turned 25, I started researching if I should start with all these creams and stumbled upon Paula Begoun, who is known for her saying – just save all the money you would spend on eye products now(cause basically they don't work) and do an operation/Botox later when you need it. Something like that:)
What also comes to mind is all those actresses, e.g. Sophia Loren, who look incredible, but they didn't have all those creams that we have right now, so how did they manage to stay that gorgeous?:)
https://curlijuli.blogspot.com/
Anonymous says
I always have a hard time finding a sunscreen for my face that isn't greasy and that won't cause me breakouts!. The La Roche Posay SPF 60 that you use, do you find it greasy at all??
Thanks 🙂
jaydub says
Sunscreen, hats and sunglasses have taken on new meaning for me in the last year. My mother was diagnosed with skin cancer on her eyelid. Quite fortunatley, her marvelous surgeon was able to reconstruct her eyelid, thus saving her eye. Until last year I didn't know it was even possible to develop skin cancer on your eyelid.
Sweet Simplicity says
Great tips! @Anonymous: I use Josie Maran's Argan Daily Moisturizer. It has SPF 40+ UVA/UVB protection and it fights fine lines and wrinkles. It is lightweight … I've been using it and I like it!
prettypinktastic says
I have commented on your youtube channel but never blog 🙂 I am turning 25 this year and am suddenly 100% obsessed with taking the best care of my skin. We won't be young forever 😉 and it's just smart to research and develop a good routine. I love how my Clarisonic has improved my skin- also agree SPF is the best anti-aging product there is!! 🙂
Have you ever used Retin-A products?
prettypinktastic says
ps. Great video. Do you recommend a certain eye cream?
Sahar says
Thanks for great tips. I'm 25 now, and I think I should start wearing hat and drink more.
Anonymous says
Just an fyi, when I told my ob/gyn that I was trying to get pregnant, he told me to stop drinking my daily green tea. Apparently it interferes with the absorption of folic acid. Something to think about if you are TTC!
angie says
Great ideas there, thanks! I need to invest in a good cream, if you have any tips for which ones are best I'd love to know.
Alicia says
I must know what rings you're wearing in that segment!
Mrs. V* says
Great tips, and loved the news segment! I actually have a post ready to publish this weekend were I talk about the effects that drinking a spinach green smoothie everyday has done for my skin. I also completely cut out pop about 3 weeks ago and switched to water and have never felt better!
Anonymous says
What self tanner do you use on your face? I have used some on my body before but been to afraid to try it on my face in fear of turning up orange-y or having a reaction since I have sensitive skin(I usually just go with bronzer on my face to balance things out). Also, any tips for making sure its even and avoiding the eyebrows and hairline (I have heard it can discolor your brows/hair if it accidentally gets on them). Thanks for the tips!
Anonymous says
I'm 41 and people think I'm in college. I just started using Olay a few years ago. Before that, I only washed my face with water..I know gross. Makeup ages women…You will start seeing the effects as you get closer to 35 or so. I never wore it when I was younger and now I only wear mascara and some blush. The makeup industry is not as regulated as women think it is. Also, if you have a baby face you will age much slower.
Anonymous says
I used to drink a lot of green tea becuase I loved it and it has great benefits but I completely stopped drinking green tea because it is not recommended for women that are thinking to have a baby in the future.
Meg O. says
I didn't know you were interviewed on KHOU! How cool! Going to watch it now!
Courtney says
Three words: sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen.
Anonymous says
You are only 29??? You look and sound older. I could have sworn you were in your mid thirties. You look great though!
[email protected] says
I'm turning 29 in May. I always get told I look way younger than I am, but I guess it's in the eye of the beholder!
Gayle GWishlist says
Great tips. I just heard and read about everywhere (TV, magazines) this last 2 weeks, about drinking with a straw can make wrinkles around you lips come quicker…
I'm 30, and have been using eye cream since less than a year. I have been paying attention to my skin since only a year actually. I lived in Greece, worked as a tour guide, in the sun all day without sunscreen etc. Now I'm in TX since 3 years, and got 2 small sun spots on my face that I got last summer, but that is it. I still look much younger than I really am (says other people).
Although I started late caring about myself, I find that my skin doesn't look worse nor better, nor different than any person around my age… I'm still not using anti-aging cream, just eye cream.
Anonymous says
I always thought you're about 23! You look amazing!
Rachel says
Also, don't drink with a straw. It creates fine lines around the mouth.
liliana says
Girl no wonder why you look like you are barely 20! awesome tips. Thank you!!!
Judy says
great post! Btw, your skin looked INCREDIBLE in the news clip, Veronika!
Anonymous says
You seriously think that creams are going to stop you from aging? It's genetics and staying out of the sun!!!!! It is really sad to see young woman baking in the sun. They really do believe that nothing is going to happen to their skin. Getting old is a part of life, it sucks. If you're lucky enough to get there embrace it. A lot of people will never be lucky enough to get old.
[email protected] says
No. I don't think creams will STOP aging. I think they can help repair your skin and help dimish the look of wrinkles and also delay premature aging.
I agree that it's sad to see people baking in the sun not wearing sunscreen. I understand it is genetics and how much time you spend in the sun—that's why I'm saying it's important to shield your skin from the sun, use sunscreen, etc.
Lori says
Great tips! Totally agree with the drinking of plenty of water and of course wear sunscreen!
I saw the segment on the news Friday morning. I felt super dumb because I never realized you were in Houston. Crazy!
The Fashionable ESQ says
Greaaaaaaat tips! I was happy to find that I do mos of these 🙂 Yay…I do not however, drink my green tea raw (I wish I could) but it tastes like dirty water to me sometimes…I add honey. I have the bigelow brand tea but I dont think it has mint in it- maybe I'll check that one out instead 😀
xx
The Fashionable ESQ
https://www.thefashionableesq.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth Ann says
Veronika I love your tips. Please share do you also wear sunscreen on your body as well? I am very pale skinned and I recently tried tanning in a tanning bed which was a nightmare. I got sun poisoning and was vomiting with fever all night. I ended up going to the doctor the next day and getting pain pills and a steroid shot. I have given up tanning and decided I must accept my pasty skin. By the way I am 21 and you don't look near your thirties to me. I hope that I am as beautiful as you are when I am your age…you are very inspiring!