There are many things that can be controlled in life, but aging is not one of them. It’s a natural process that everyone will go through and it cannot be stopped. However, there are healthy choices and habits that can be adopted to help you look and feel much younger than your years.

• Knowing your skin type is very important because not every skin care product suits everyone. Cleanse your skin regularly using lukewarm water for cleansing (hot and cold water can cause damage to your skin). Be gentle, after all it’s your skin. Don’t scrub/exfoliate too hard or too often. Similarly, don’t apply too much or too many skin care products.

• Drink a lot of water. This will not keep your skin moist but will help in overall upkeep of your health (and in turn your skin). And try to keep your skin moist at all times. Don’t let your skin get dry. Dryness causes the outer layer of your skin to break, leading to a rough appearance. Use moisturizers, which work best when applied while the skin is still damp.

• Use sunscreen with at least an SPF 20 to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful UV rays. You can use daytime moisturizers that have sunscreen built into them. And remember to use them even when it’s cloudy. UV rays penetrate the clouds and they are known to cause skin cancer. A good rule of thumb is to apply an amount of sunscreen that would fill a shot glass. It seems like a lot, but experts say that is how much you need to adequately protect your skin.

• An exercise regimen is important for a youthful, healthy glow (and of course for overall good health). Aim for cardiovascular workouts about five times a week for at least twenty or thirty minutes and strength-training three to four times a week. If you can’t fit that into your schedule, try to make small changes. Go for a walk daily after dinner, take the stairs at work, or park your car further away from the door at the grocery store. Remember, every little bit of exercise adds up – and it also helps in beating stress!

• Good sleep is essential, not just for skin care but for your general health. Lack of sleep can cause you to look older and have less energy. Most people need between seven and nine hours a night. To properly calculate how many hours of sleep is best for your body, try to fall asleep and wake up naturally and that is a good indication of what you should aim for daily.

• Beat stress. The harmful effects of stress are known to everyone, and stress can have a negative effect on your skin as well. So take a break – indulge in a warm bubble bath or just have a nap. Manage stress and keep a positive outlook. Stress can wear you down both mentally and physically, so keeping it under control can keep it from showing on your body. Try to incorporate 10 or 20 minutes of deep breathing into each day to help you slow down.

• Applying make-up skillfully can help take years off of your face. You can give yourself an instant face-lift by simply applying blush high on the cheek bones, followed by a thin layer of a pinkish gel blush. Just as cheeks lose their fullness as you age, lips also tend to look less plump. To counteract this effect and make your lips look fuller, apply a touch of light-colored (frosted works best) gloss to the center of the bottom lip after applying lipstick.

• Skin is a great indicator of good nutrition. So be sure to eat a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. By eating a variety of healthy foods, you can be sure you are getting the vitamins your skin needs. Try to include foods containing Omega-3 fatty acids (such as fish, nuts, and eggs). These healthy fats help keep skin plump and looking young, and also are said to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Also include foods high in antioxidants, like dark greens and berries.

• If you smoke, quit. And if you are a non-smoker, beware that chronic exposure to secondhand smoke can damage skin. Dermatologists say smoke, like the sun, assaults your body with free radicals that can make skin sallow, break down its collagen, and slow its ability to heal – all things which contribute to the aging process.

While everyone will see the effects of time, it is still possible to grow old gracefully and beautifully. You can prevent premature aging by following the above tips and avoiding as much skin damage as possible. By taking good care of your body you will see the results in better health and glowing, youthful skin.

For more information on ways to better your health and skin care routine, visit http://www.webmd.com.