Have you ever been jealous of that 55 year old actress on television? Do you ever wonder how she looks so young at her age? It’s called a makeup artist! Unfortunately, we do not all have access to our own artists. The truth is, we don’t need one! We just need to take it upon ourselves to care for our skin. Here are some tips from professional dermatologists that can prevent your skin from aging before its time:

Tip #1: Sun protection

Did you know that UV rays are the number one cause of premature aging? That’s right – exposure to the sun can cause your skin to age well before its time. This doesn’t mean that you need to avoid the sun altogether, it simply means that you need to learn how to protect yourself. Below are some sun care tips:

• Avoid the sun when it is at its peak: The UV rays from the sun do the most damage between the hours of 10am and 4pm. If possible, try to avoid spending long periods of time outside during these hours.
• Put on protective clothing: If you must go outside during peak hours, protect yourself with long clothing. Long pants, long sleeves, and hats can all protect your skin.
• Don’t forget your sunscreen!: Most people think that they only need to wear sunscreen during summer months. This is not true. The sun can damage your skin on even the coldest of days, so it is important that you wear sunscreen each and every day of the year. Always wear SPF 15 or higher.

Tip Number Two: Stop smoking

Smoking can significantly reduce the production of collagen, thereby speeding up the process of aging. And while the reduction of collagen production is normal as we age, cigarettes can cause this to happen much sooner than usual. Collagen is a protein that increases the strength of the skin, so without it wrinkles can begin to appear and the elasticity of the skin decreases.

Tip Number Three: Clean and moisturize

If you don’t remove your makeup, you can damage your skin. If you wear makeup you need to clean your face daily. If you don’t – you still need to clean your face daily. Proper cleansing is necessary to remove dirt and oil that builds up throughout the day. If dirt is not cleaned from the face, our pores can become clogged, causing several different skin issues. Not only do you need to cleanse your face, you also need to moisturize it. Hydration is one of the best ways to prevent premature aging.

Fourth Tip: Sleep!

Many people do not realize what an important role sleep plays in the appearance of our skin. If you are overly tired, bags will be the result. And bags can make you look much older than you really are.

We don’t all need our own makeup artist to stay youthful. The tips above should be a great start in keeping your skin looking youthful.

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