My Secret to Looking 10 Years Younger Than I Actually Am

When it comes to growing old, everyone wishes they looked younger, even by a couple of years. When we are young, we desperately want to look older and more mature. But as the years grow, we wish we could remove some of that maturity for the glow of youth. Now, I am not old by any means. I am just a few months shy of my 37th birthday in fact. But even my neighbor who is 10 years my junior thought I was her age. That's not to say I haven't aged any since my 20s. I have...just not as much as other members of my graduating class. (Hard to believe the 20 year reunion is next year but I digress...)

Some would mark my "fountain of youth" status with an asterisk because I don't have kids, my family has relatively good anti-aging genetics and my dark blonde hair naturally masks any grays, even from my own inspectful eyes. To that I say "eh" 🤷🤷 I have also had life-threatening health scares and almost always have my eyebrows raised in a silent WTF to events happening around me. So to help keep the youth scale tipped in my favor, I have my list of lotions, potions, and spells for youth that work great with my combination skin. (Not really, it's more like oils, supplements and healthy habits.)

My Secret to Looking 10 Years Younger Than I Actually Am

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1. Collagen Peptides

Every morning, my morning coffee has a little boost of anti-aging thanks to the collagen peptides I add. My reasoning is actually not wrinkle-based and instead is joint- and gut-based. Since starting the peptides, both Phil and I have noticed less creaking joints and due to the protein it adds, fuller than without it. Better skin, hair and nails is just an added bonus of not sounding like bubble wrap every time we take a step. Shop Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides on Amazon.

2. Witch Hazel

Witch hazel has a variety of beauty uses. I use it to balance an itchy scalp with the added bonus of doubling as a quick "dry" shampoo and (for my fine hair) a slight volumizer. I use it when I get my period pimples to help heal and dry them up quick. And I use it as a daily toner to keep my skin refreshed and looking its best. Shop Witch Hazel on Amazon.

3. Vitamin E Stick

I have tried different vitamin e formulas, and several of the things mentioned in this list are packed full of vitamin e, but nothing, I repeat, NOTHING compares to this little stick. I used to buy it at Walmart for $1 but they never have it any more and Amazon is the only place I can locate it (for sadly more than a dollar). But this stuff is gold in a tube! I use it on my forehead, outer eye area, mouth area, neck, chest and cuticles. (Pro tip -  there is a bunch left in the tube after the stick runs down, scoop that shizz out and apply it. Don't throw it away!) Shop Puritans Pride 2-Pack on Amazon.

4. Argan Oil

Thanks to my love of colorful hair and the processes required to lighten it up for said colorful hair, my hair is a bit frizzy on the ends. I keep the ends trimmed and free of splits, but to make it even more manageable, I add a few drops of argan oil to the ends post-shower. The argan oil adds shine along with manageability and a bit of detangling to boot. Shop Argan Oil on Amazon.

5. CBD Face Oil

My skin is a bit on the combo side. My nose has always been oily but over recent years, the rest of my face went from oily to dry. Since switching to to a CBD face oil, my skin's glow has returned and it's well hydrated without making my oily nose more so. Shop elf Cannabis Sativa Line on Amazon.

6. Castor Oil

Castor oil is another product that has many beauty uses. It helps reduce the appearance of stretch marks, it makes lashes appear thicker (some say it helps grow thicker lashes but based on my own use, this is not the case), and it can be uses as a base for hair masks or scrubs. Since I don't wear makeup, I use it to make my lashes appear thicker and darker and I add just a drop or two to my face at night if the weather is particularly dry or if I need the fan on a higher setting to keep moisture sealed in. (Pro tip - if you apply this to your face at night, be sure to 1) let it settle in before laying down and 2) wash your face int he morning to prevent possible breakouts.) Shop Castor Oil on Amazon.

7. Lots of Water and Herbal Tea

I drink at least 32oz of caffeine-free herbal tea or hot water infused with frozen fruit daily while working. I also drink 15oz more at night before bed as well as at least 32oz of plain, filtered water a day. If I don't have at least 64oz of sugar-free, caffeine free liquids a day, my right kidney gives me grief. Since my last surgery to remove the endo affecting it, my kidney likes me well-hydrated. So I usually only have 2 cups of coffee a day and sweet tea or a little soda at dinner and fill my glass with water the rest of the time. Shop Hibiscus Tea on Amazon.

8. Limit Unprotected Sun Exposure

I live on the NC coast and the sun stays hot and fierce almost year-round. To keep sun damage at bay, I stay covered up and wearing SPF any time I am outside for a bit. I still aim for 15 minutes of exposed skin sun time daily, but I usually get that walking the pup, water the plants, feeding the birds, walking in and out of Target for the 20th time in a week... But seriously, I used to be a sun-worshiper and was starting to see the damage on my skin. So now I enjoy it in small, protected doses. Shop Sunscreen on Amazon.

9. Plenty of Rest

If you run on 6 hours or less of sleep in a 24 hour period, your skin probably shows it. Proper rest is required for your skin to rebuild itself. And yes, I know not everyone has the luxury of sleeping a solid 7-9 hours a night. May be you have kids, insomnia, work multiple jobs, something else or some combo of the above. But for me, proper rest is crucial for managing my endometriosis, so I make it a priority to get a minimum of 7 hours nightly and at lest once a week, get 9-10 hours. (I also try sleeping on my back as much as possible because it minimizes the appearance of wrinkles, especially cleavage wrinkles.)

10. Moisturize Face, Neck, Chest and Hands

This one baffles me with people and their skincare routines - they often stop at the jaw line! Why??? Slather that shizz down your neck and chest and then all over your hands! Your neck, chest and hands will age you faster than your crow's feet or laugh lines, so you cannot ignore them while taking care of your skin. So always be sure to dab a bit of whatever routine you follow below the jaw. 

While I can't grant access to the Fountain of Youth (at least not until I find it...), I do hope my secrets to looking younger than I am will help you create the more youthful appearance you desire.

Until next time, my lovelies!

-M

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