5 Things That Make You Look Older

It’s seems a bit strange looking back, but I was much more sensitive about my age when I turned 40 than I was when I turned 50. (I wonder if it’s like that for everyone, or if I’ve just personally mellowed out a bit?) However, even though I’m more at peace with my age now than I have been in the past, I would still rather avoid looking any older than I actually am!

And since I’m positive that I’m not the only one who feels this way, I think that today’s post will be useful for all of us! :-) Because there are plenty of sneaky culprits that are capable of making you look older than you’d like. But with the help of the tips in this post, you can rest assured that none of these culprits is past you unnoticed!

* Redness & Inflammation

As if redness and inflammation from sun exposure and rosacea weren’t already bad enough, it turns out that these symptoms can also amplify signs of aging! Inflamed skin can cause wrinkles to appear deeper than they really are, and make your skin tone appear uneven.

The simplest ways to avoid redness and inflammation are using gentle skincare products and always, ALWAYS protecting your skin from the sun! Find a good daily moisturizer with sun protection (SPF 30 or higher, preferably) and use it every day, not just when it’s sunny out.

* Dry Hands

Moisture is crucial for keeping skin looking firm and and vibrant, especially when it comes to your hands. The thin skin on our hands doesn’t produce as much natural moisture as the rest of our skin. So our hands are already prone to dryness, and we often make it worse through sun exposure, repeated washings, and wear and tear.

To keep your hands nice and soft, make sure to moisturize them daily. When you apply your moisturizer with SPF in the morning, apply some to the backs of your hands to protect them from the sun. And before you go to bed, slather on a rich hand cream or body butter.

* Droopy Eyes

Dark circles, bags, and fine lines around your eyes can all make you look older (or at least make you look tired or unwell.) To combat these issues, apply an anti-aging eye cream every night to keep the sensitive skin around your eyes moisturized.

* Saggy Neck

The skin on our necks is thin, and thin skin tends to lose its elasticity more quickly. Personally, watching the skin on my neck start to droop and sag was really disheartening. So I started looking for solutions online, and ended up learning about some simple neck exercises and skincare products that can help lift saggy neck skin.

* Improper Cleansing

Failing to cleanse your face thoroughly can lead to clogged pores and sensitive skin. And on the other end of the spectrum, scrubbing your face overzealously or with harsh products can dry out your skin and amplify wrinkles. So it’s important to find that sweet spot between too clean and not clean enough!

If you haven’t already done so, I suggest trying a gentle oil-based cleanser. These tend to be better for aging skin because they remove makeup and impurities without stripping the skin of its natural moisture.