There’s absolutely nothing worse than reaching an age where it becomes visible on your face. The fine lines, the wrinkles and the bags under your eyes begin to wear on you. You’re not alone!
Many men struggle with finding ways to diminish their aging. Luckily for us men, there are ways to keep our skin looking younger. Many of them can be done within a matter of days and weeks and don’t require much extra “work” to add to your morning and nighttime skin care routines.
Let’s dive into it.
Wear Sunscreen
The fastest way to age is by spending hours upon hours in the sun on a daily basis without having a good sunscreen on. I put this at the top of the list because this is the absolute FASTEST way to age.
If you’re a man and you’re looking to keep your skin looking younger and more fresh, I suggest putting on sunscreen on your face before you walk out the door each and every morning. If you’re clever, you’ll find a sunscreen that isn’t oily, and actually contains some form of moisturizer.
This way, you’ll be knocking out two birds with one stone. The common oily sunscreens you find at the drugstore such as Banana Boat and Coppertone typically aren’t things you want to put on your face if you have sensitive skin and are prone to acne.
Instead, use something lightweight and oil free such as Neutrogena’s Healthy Defense Moisturizer. I put a small layer of this sunscreen on my face after my daily moisturizer has had time to soak in.
Eat Healthy
The tip of eating healthy is a no-brainer. We’ve been taught this for years and years. But, many people disregard this fact and don’t really put any effort into eating healthy. When you give your body the nutrients that it needs, you’ll notice a drastic change in your body’s functionality, your mood, your skin quality, and even your quality of life.
All of these things play a role in keeping your “eternal youth”. We’ve all been there, though. We’ve been through a junk food phase. The reason we have these is because your actions snowball.
Start now and begin to eat a diet rich in protein, healthy fats and fiber.
Stay Hydrated at All Times
The fastest way to replenish the appearance of your skin all over your body, especially your face, is to remain hydrated at all times. It’s incredibly important to keep the vitality of your skin looking fresh.
If you’ve ever noticed after a night of heavy drinking, your face looks dull, lifeless and pretty much terrible. This is because your body is extremely dehydrated. This can be remedied pretty easily by drinking plenty of water.
Having trouble keeping track of your water consumption? Just use a thermos of a HydroFlask (the best quality) to always have some water on you. It’s a serious life changer. Click here to see the cheapest price on Amazon.com
Also, people tend to think that they drink more water than they actually do. Try to keep a log of your water consumption. I personally aim for a gallon a day… sometimes even more. But, everyone’s body weight is different and I do spend 1-2 hours a day in the gym, so perspiration is also prevalent.
Exercise Regularly
When we begin to age, there are two types of important exercise types to focus on. These are aerobic and anaerobic exercises. Aerobic exercise, typically referred to as cardio, and anaerobic exercises, such as weightlifting keep your heart healthy and your muscles strong.
But, what can exercise do to keep my complexion looking flawless? Well, when you exert yourself via exercise, your body is dumping toxins from your system. You’ll notice people who live an inactive and sedentary lifestyle that their skin isn’t glowing like yours will after consistent exercise.
Sweating on a consistent basis is an incredible way to keep your body running at peak performance. By sweating on a near daily basis, your blood flow will peak, giving you that incredible glow on your face that so many people desire.
Avoid Tobacco Products
It seems like people in this day and age aren’t smoking as much as they used to, and that’s great news.
This is because tobacco products, such as cigarettes cause premature aging and that is a big no-no for men looking to keep their skin looking younger. They’ve found that smoking actually damages your natural production of collagen and elastin, making you incredibly prone to wrinkles such as crows feet and “smoker’s lines”.
And, according to Mayo Clinic, tobacco products such as cigarettes can cause Psoriasis, a skin condition that shows red patches of itchy and scaly skin.
If you’re a chronic smoker and want to quit before your skin damage starts to bear its ugly head, I’d recommend tapering off before the damage gets worse. There’s still a chance!
Limit Your Alcohol Consumption
Like I mentioned earlier, after a night of drinking, it’s not uncommon to wake up with dull looking skin. You might even display some extra bags under your eyes you didn’t know you had before.
If you’re a man looking to keep their skin looking youthful, limiting your alcohol consumption will make a world of difference for you.
Not only does alcohol age you from the outside by drying out your skin, it can have a serious impact on your liver, the organ responsible for flushing out toxins from your body. In effect, this can weaken your immune system.
However, responsible consumption of alcohol will not be a problem. Moderate your drinks and you’ll be able to keep your skin looking youthful.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!
Gentlemen! This is the easiest way to combat aging skin. I seriously cannot believe the amount of men I have met that do not moisturize on a daily basis. It’s the single most important thing that you should be doing to fight aging and wrinkles.
If you don’t have a moisturizer already, I can seriously recommend getting your hands on a bottle of Kiehl’s Facial Fuel. It has been my go-to moisturizer for over 5 years now.
I can’t go a day without it, seriously. When I don’t use it, I can actually feel my face getting dryer and tighter. It’s like you can actually feel the aging process.
If you want a non-oily and reliable moisturizer, I’d recommend using my #1 Moisturizer Recommendation. Yes, it can be a bit pricey, but a little bit goes a long way and a good moisturizer is something you don’t want to skimp on. Trust me.
Take Supplements
Supplements can be a great way to get some extra vitamins and minerals that you can’t ordinarily get from food on a daily basis. These supplements have been strategically chosen so that your skin aging process is put to a halt.
Use the following supplements on a daily basis in order to make sure you’re getting the most out of your skin care routine.
Collagen
Collagen is one of the most important nutrients needed to ensure the health and vitality of your skin, hair, tendon, cartilage, bones, and joints. Around the age of 30, our bodies naturally begin to produce less collagen, and the first signs of aging start to occur.
By strategically supplementing collagen, you’ll begin to see some extra clarity in your skin. You don’t have to be over 30 to see any benefits from collagen either. There’s a ton of reasons why you should be taking it.
Get started with a Collagen supplement by using my #1 Recommended Collagen Supplement.
When I started using this, I didn’t notice any changes until about a week of consistent use. The bags under my eyes were less pronounced, and my skin sort of had a “glowing” effect. Totally awesome stuff for your skin.
Zinc
Zinc is a very inexpensive product that can be used to keep your skin looking much younger than it once was. You can get a bottle on Amazon.com by clicking HERE for less than $10 bucks which will last you more than half a year.
Zinc plays a vital role in immune system response. Better immune health = better skin. Don’t believe me? Try this supplement stacked with Vitamin C and Collagen and get back to me 1 month later.
Vitamin C
When added to your daily routine, vitamin C provides a range of benefits, from evening out your skin tone, shielding skin from the visible impacts of pollution, significantly improving hydration, and keeping your skin looking younger, longer!
Pick up a bottle at your local pharmacy, or have it delivered to you (my preferred method), by getting the best price on Amazon by clicking HERE.
See a Dermatologist
There’s no lie in the fact that a Dermatologist can make you look younger in a matter of minutes. From skin firming treatments to wrinkle fillings, there’s a plethora of things your dermatologist can do.
Although everyone’s skin needs are different, sitting down with a dermatologist consultation will help you discover what needs to be done.
Eat a Diet Rich in Protein
Protein is necessary for retaining the integrity of the skin. Some amino acids, the building blocks of protein, help speed the repair and regeneration of skin cells and collagen, which is the protein that gives your skin as a structural support.
Collagen, like we mentioned earlier, is what makes your skin look firmer and more supple. However, as you age, your skin starts losing collagen as it degrades faster and so your skin becomes thinner and loses its elasticity, which can lead to wrinkles and droopy eyes.
Some amino acids like threonine are needed to produce the protein collagen. Threonine is an essential amino acid that your body cannot make so you should get it from foods. You can get threonine from most protein-rich foods such as chicken, fish, steak, and pork.
Eat More Fats
When I say eat more fats, I don’t mean drive up to your local McDonald’s and order a Big Mac or two. I’m talking about healthy fats!
Ok, so what are healthy fats? I’m talking about the fats found in an avocado or fish such as salmon, which is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are an incredible anti-aging tool that men can use to limit their skin’s aging process.
So, don’t feel like spending your life savings on expensive avocados or just hate fish? Great! Just do what I do and supplement it with THIS.
Meditate
It appears the Buddhist monks were on to something here! Meditation is a fantastic way to reflect on yourself, your life, and what surrounds you. In doing so, many have reported a relieving sense of calmness wash over them.
By doing this, you’re actively diminishing your stress, which plays a major role in the aging process. Cortisol is the classic stress hormone and is reliably elevated in response to psychological and psychosocial stress.
The stress hormone, cortisol, can actually wear away at your DNA telomeres, which can accelerate your aging process.
If you’re looking for that youthful, radiant skin you once had, take time to meditate! I like using the Calm app on my phone. Headspace is also a great app that you can use if you’re interested in starting up a guided meditation routine. It doesn’t take long either. Just 10 minutes a day can do wonders for your stress levels.
Exfoliate Your Face
Exfoliating your face to keep your skin looking younger is an absolute must. I prefer to exfoliate my face 2-3 times per week. When you exfoliate your face, you’re actually buffing away all of those dead skin cells that accumulate throughout your day.
By removing this extra layer of dead skin, your face will look and feel rejuvenated. If you don’t already have a way to gently exfoliate your face, I always recommend Jack Black’s Face Buff. It’s the best facial cleanser and the exfoliating feature of this wash is so gentle.
You could probably get away with using it daily, but I’d suggest against it. Use it 2-3 times per week and the skin on your face will always be looking and feeling great.
Cut Your Calories
This is another simple trick that you can do to keep yourself looking youthful. Cut your calories! Science has shown that with a caloric deficit in rodents, aging was significantly diminished.
No, I do not mean starve yourself. You should be eating adequate calories on a daily basis, but a small 200-300 caloric deficit could keep your insides and outsides healthier and hold a more youthful appearance.
Get at Least 8 Hours of Sleep
Millions of people all across the world don’t get at least 8 hours of sleep per night. When you limit your sleep, your body ramps up its cortisol production which is linked to increased inflammation.
This is why you will commonly get those under eye bags if you don’t get your beauty sleep. If you’re looking to keep your skin looking youthful and younger, you’re going to want to sleep in more, or go to bed earlier. Most people tend to get between 5-7 hours of sleep per night.
If you want your friends and even the ladies to notice your youthful skin, don’t dismiss the quality of a good night’s sleep.
Sleep on Your Back
Sleeping on your back is sort of a “life-hack” for youthful looking skin. Those who sleep on their backs aren’t smashing their face up against the pillow every night for 8 hours straight.
By sleeping on your back, you’re avoiding the breakdown of your skin and even the sensitive and fragile skin around your eyes.
Sleeping on your back can help you have fewer wrinkles on your neck as well. Applying pressure to the same area of skin breaks down collagen, which leads to those unwanted lines.
Spend a Moderate Amount of Time Outdoors
Spending time outdoors is an absolute must if you’re looking to keep your skin looking younger.
Putting on a non-oily sunblock before you head out for the day earns you gold stars across the board, but limiting your outdoor exposure altogether can do a disservice to your skin and the way it interacts with the world.
It has been found that Indoor and urban environments have been associated with less diverse microbiomes. The more diverse and thriving the environment we are in is, the better that is for us.
So don’t be afraid to go on that hike, you might end that hike looking more handsome than when you started. Just don’t forget the sunscreen.
Don’t Act Old!
It’s true! You really do feel how you act, so don’t act old! People that hang onto their youthful vigor really do age slower than those who tend to live a, what society calls, a “mature life”.
Don’t be afraid to act silly. Don’t be afraid to explore the world. It’s something that keeps your skin looking great and your personality will be gleaming as well.
Take a Break
As we mentioned in the meditation section, taking some time for yourself can be extremely beneficial. If you’re like me, you can easily get caught up in your work and not really know when to take a break.
Don’t be afraid to take some time for yourself. Research has shown that moderate breaks throughout the day are linked with longevity and can even boost your productivity — as counteractive as that sounds.
Working too much can build up cortisol. Remember how bad cortisol is for our skin? We definitely don’t want that. Take some time for yourself. Even 15 minute breaks throughout the day the clear your head can work wonders for your skin and for your sanity.
Smile More
As mentioned before, cortisol is the number one stressor that can impact the way your skin looks and feels. Although there are people who worry about “smile lines”, smiling is a wonderful way to diminish your cortisol level, and in turn, keep your skin looking so much younger.
I don’t prefer to call them smile lines… let’s start calling them “happy tattoos”.
Eat Your Fruits and Veggies
Another dietary tip is to eat foods and vegetables that are high in antioxidants. If you’re looking to flush out those toxins, consider adding more of these fruits and vegetables to your daily diet:
- Carrots, apricots, and other yellow and orange fruits and vegetables
- Spinach and other green leafy vegetables
- Tomatoes
- Berries
- Beans, peas and lentils
- Salmon, mackerel and other fatty fish
- Nuts
It’s well-discussed that eating foods that are high in processed sugars can damage the vitality of your skin. Keep that diet balanced with the foods listed above and your skin is going to look so much better.
Drink Green Tea
Green tea is the ideal superfood. It can do so many wonderful things for your body. And if you’re looking to keep a man’s skin looking younger, there’s no better way than to add a little green tea to your life.
Green tea has been proven to protect against skin cancer, fight premature aging, reduce redness and irritation, treat acne, and moisturize your skin. With so many great benefits, who wouldn’t want to add some green tea to their life?
Many people suggest adding a green tea face mask as well. The green tea face mask that I use can be found HERE. Yes, it’s a women’s product… but she’ll never know… and she’ll probably be asking you for your skin care routine when you put all these skin rejuvenating hacks to the test.
Use an Eye Cream To Remove Dark Circles
Eye creams are incredible for removing dark circles which are associated with skin aging. But… I have some bad news. All the good eye creams are for women. Surprised? I wasn’t.
But, it’s important to note that it’s OKAY to use a women’s cosmetic item. I use Olay Eyes to keep my dark circles to a minimum. All of the “for men” eye products I have used are harsh and don’t work.
The area under your eyes are incredibly sensitive — For both genders. So, suck up your ego and go with something that actually works. This is not makeup either. It’s a moisturizer with a lightening serum that works under any skin tone that will drastically reduce your dark eye bags.
In conclusion, if you’re looking to keep your skin looking younger, it’s time to do something about it. As a man, it’s easy to get caught up in the societal standards of men’s products and women’s products. However, it’s important to note that if you want your skin to remain looking younger, you’re going to have to invest in something that will actually work.
On the flip side, if you’re worried about what people think about you and avoid using any products to your face, you might end up aging faster than your friends and family.
So, don’t just take my word for it… take this list to heart and really give yourself something to look forward to — Which is… that youthful skin you’ve always wanted.