5 things to do in your 20s to look younger later in life

While we’re firm believers that style, wisdom, and sense of self tend to get better with time, there’s something to be said about delaying surface level ageing (read: fine lines and wrinkles). In addition to reducing stress and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, the secret to eternal youth lies in how you treat your skin. To look younger longer and maintain your skin’s youthful radiance, start including these five anti-ageing skincare secrets into your daily routine.

We know, shocker. While you’re accustomed to lathering up in the height of summer or every now and again when the mood strikes, the benefits of daily sunscreen application can’t be overlooked. Excess sun exposure destroys collagen and elastin which, in turn, causes sun spots, wrinkled skin, fine lines, and dilated blood vessels. Dr. Joseph Hkeik, Elle Macpherson’s beloved skincare expert, told Stylight, “Sunscreen helps protect against the visible signs of premature ageing, it reduces the risk of skin cancer and helps keep your complexion even.”

Sunscreen, with daily application, can not only protect your skin from signs of ageing but also reverse wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. A 2016 study found that daily application of SPF 30 sunscreen clinically improved signs of photoaging, the premature ageing of the skin caused by exposure to UV rays.

While we enjoy a boozy night out as much as the next karaoke-loving gal, limiting alcohol consumption in your 20s is essential to skin health later in life. In a 2019 study, researchers found that heavy alcohol consumption (eight or more drinks per week) was associated with “increased upper facial lines, under-eye puffiness, oral commissures (downturned lines at the corners of your mouth), and midface volume loss.”

The MVP of anti-ageing, retinoids are derivatives of vitamin A, a powerhouse vitamin that “supports skin, eye, and reproductive health, and immune function,” according to Healthline. Daily application of topical retinoids helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and enhance cell function. By incorporating retinoids in your skincare routine sooner rather than later, your skin benefits from an increase in collagen production, which in turn, improves its texture and elasticity, increases blood flow and reduces visible wrinkles.

Read more: How soon is too soon to start using retinol?

The skin around your eyes is more delicate than the rest of your face which is why it’s among the first areas to show signs of ageing. Daily application of eye creams and gels can help diminish the look of wrinkles. Eye creams with vitamin C and peptides work together to strengthen the skin and fight off fine lines and wrinkles.

“When skin matures, its own sources of vitamins and antioxidants are used up,” Dr. Hkeik tells Stylight. “Adding niacinamide (Vitamin B) and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) to your daily routine will help fight free radicals and help rebuild lost collagen.” In addition, regular application of topical vitamin C can counteract the sun’s harmful rays and brighten skin.