Anti-Age Skin Care for Teens

Anti-age tips are not just for adults---maintaining a good complexion for life begins with habits formed when we're young. So teenagers are at an ideal age to take control of their looks and their health. Practicing daily hygiene and following a healthy diet can help your skin look great now and in the future.

Natural Aging

The first anti-age tip is to understand the boundaries of your control over the natural aging process. Your genes and environment determine the rate and degree of change in your skin. Inherited skin conditions as well as exposure to dry, dusty or polluted areas are tough on skin. Over time, your skin surface, or epidermis, will become rougher and the interior skin cell layers thinner. What can teenagers do? Daily teen skin care, a healthy diet, and avoiding harsh environments can slow the effects of aging.

Photo Damage

The American Academy of Dermatology (ADA) reminds teens that 80 percent of sun exposure occurs by age 18. This means that a great deal of potential sun damage, which over time makes a person look "old" or weathered, can be addressed by teenagers now. Your anti-age tip for combating early photo aging is to use sunscreen and moisturizer every day. The ADA recommends that you follow these sun safety rules: Avoid direct sun, seeking shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and lock harmful rays using a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher on all exposed skin, reapplying every couple of hours. Cover up with hats, sunglasses and T-shirts. Speak out, letting the other teens you know in on your anti-aging secret. Use self-tanning products to get the look without the skin damage.

Healthy Diet

As you grow older, the elastic fibers and blood vessels that support your skin layers diminish, making a healthy diet even more important to nourishing the epidermis. The hot anti-age tip related to diet is to pick a variety of fruits and veggies that are rich in antioxidants, such as blueberries, sweet potatoes and broccoli. The U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests eating more vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products, and less red meat, sugar and fat. Dietary changes now will pay off in healthy looking skin now and for life.

Makeup

The simplest form of teen skin care regarding makeup is not to use it. It's your choice. If you do wear makeup, retard the aging process by choosing products without oil or fragrance. These cause the least irritation and are the easiest to remove. Cosmetic manufacturers specially formulate makeup remover by skin type. Eye makeup remover is gentlest for sensitive eye areas. Cleanse normally after taking off makeup. Choose products labeled "non-comedogenic," which means they won't cause acne breakouts.

Hydration

Because young skin is flexible and soft, many people think that teens don't need to do anything special to keep it hydrated. The truth is that using a cream or lotion strengthens your natural skin barrier, allowing for less environmental damage. If your skin is prone to acne, apply an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer. Moisturize your face and hands after cleansing each day.

References

Article reviewed by Libby Swope Wiersema Last updated on: Jan 27, 2010

Must see: Photo Galleries

Member Comments