Let’s face it.  We want to stay looking young looking for as long as possible.  The skin, being the body’s largest organ, is the most vulnerable as it is exposed to all the elements – pollution, sun, and air.  As such, it is also where you first begin to notice aging the most.  You may be aging underneath your skin, but your skin (and hair) can be the first signs that you are, in fact, getting older.

Fortunately, there are some very effective ways to help your skin look longer.  In what follows, are tips to do just that.

1. Do not smoke – Cigarettes are full of harmful chemicals, over four thousand, in fact.  These chemicals make your skin age faster than it should.  In particular, smoking results in wrinkles.  Some of the wrinkles happen around your mouth when you inhale and puff on the cigarettes.  However, wrinkles also show up all over your face.

The nicotine found in cigarettes causes blood vessels in your body to contract, including the blood vessels in your face.  As a result, your skin gets less oxygen and important nutrients carried in your blood, and this ages your skin.  Other chemicals also harm the collagen and elastin – important to prevent sagging – in your face.

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2. Use coconut oil – In addition to ingesting coconut oil, it is recommended for use on your skin as it provides great moisturization benefits.  It is also a natural exfoliant, removing dead skin cells.

Be sure to use organic, high-quality coconut oil that has not been hydrogenated or further processed.

3. Use sunscreen and skin protection – While you may think you look better with a bit of color you get from a tan, the truth is that a tan signifies damage to your skin.  The cumulative damage can result in wrinkles, and worse, cancer.

The daily use of sunscreen and skin protection is one of the easiest ways to prevent aging of your skin, and keep it looking young for years to come.

Look for sunscreen with an SPF of 15-30, and one with both UVA and UVB protection.

Be sure to wear hats that shield your face and neck from the sun, and wear sunglasses to avoid squinting and the development of unsightly wrinkles around your eyes.

4. Exfoliate – Exfoliation of your skin involves removing the top dead skin cells, which tend to make skin look dull and flaky.  It also reduces fine lines, and helps improve the performance of treatment products you may be using on your skin.  It is suggested that you exfoliate your skin twice a week.  To do so more often is not recommended as it can leave your skin irritated.  The key is to use gentle scrubs that do not damage your skin.

5. Use supplements – To have healthy, youthful skin on the outside, it means you also need to take care of the inside of you.  In addition to healthy eating that includes lots of fruits and vegetables, supplementation with high-quality supplements are important.  Beta-carotene, Vitamin C and Vitamin E are all important antioxidants which can help fight the signs of aging.

6. Reduce stress –

Stress is harmful to your body in so many ways.  It can be damaging to your heart and blood vessels.  It is also damaging to your skin.  That is why it is important to find ways to reduce your stress, and keep it under control.