A little bit of sunlight can help boost vitamin D and reduce feelings of depression, but soaking up too much is bad for our skin. Both the epidermis and dermis take a beating during our lives.

That doesn’t mean you can’t reduce the appearance of fine lines, acne, and dullness as we age. A retinoid (or tretinoin) cream will provide treatment for these issues. Use Nava MD’s retinoid guide to find the best cream for your needs.

Here are 6 other skincare tips you can use to age gracefully

1. Use Sunscreen

A National Library of Medicine study suggests that regular sunscreen use can slow down aging skin, but you need to choose creams with an SPF of 30 or higher. The more melanin you have in your skin, the lower amount of SPF you can get away with. Redheads should use SPF 50.

UVA and UVB rays cause skin damage differently. Whereas UVA causes wrinkles, UVB can cause sunburns or cancer. With that in mind, wear hats or sunglasses, even when it’s cloudy.

2. Gentle Cleansers

Our skin is the biggest organ in our body and also happens to be the most delicate. The cleaning process can reduce signs of aging only if you use gentle cleansers that don’t irritate sensitive skin. You should also use face cloths and cotton swabs that don’t scrape your skin.

Even if you have blackheads, never scrub harshly around the nose or eyes. Be sure your skincare products are free from parabens and sulfates, as they’re linked to hormone disruptions.

3. Exfoliate Gently

Skin renews itself every 28 days and removes dead cells in the process. However, our skin regenerates slower as we age, leading to rough patches, a dull appearance, and scarring. To encourage the skin renewable process, use argon powders or coffee scrubs once a week.

Alternatively, you could shave your face. Seriously! Shaving can remove dead skin and start the renewal process. And, no, shaving hair doesn’t change its thickness, color, or rate of growth.

4. Moisturize Daily

Invest in a moisturizer that replenishes your face with vitamins and nutrients. Moisturizers are great to use during the winter months if you suffer from dry patches. Make sure your products have hydroponic acid, vitamin C, and ceramides to restore moisture and protect your skin.

You should always use a night cream as it will help the skin’s recovery process throughout the night. Avoid night creams with retinoids if you have sensitive skin to avoid redness or rashes.

5. Eye Creams

The skin around the eyes is thin, which makes it the most sensitive to the aging process. If you haven’t started using eye cream by the age of 25, add it to your skincare regimen. Ensure ceramides and hyaluronic acids are also in your eye cream to help prevent crow’s feet.

Don’t use your moisturizer as an eye cream because they’re not formulated for thinner skin patches. Face moisturizers are too thick and may not absorb into your eyelids.

6. Lifestyle Changes

Several lifestyle changes can improve the look and feel of your skin. If you want to start reducing signs of aging in both your face and the rest of the body, do the following:

Get at least 8 hours of sleep per night to repair your skin.
Remove makeup before bed. Use micellar water if your home has hard water.
Eat foods rich in vitamins A, C, C, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Drink plenty of water, preferably 8-12 glasses per day.
Limit stress, alcohol consumption, and smoke inhalation (marijuana or smoking).
Exercise for at least 30-minutes per day to increase blood flow. You may also want to get NAD IV therapy near me or beauty IV infusion in LA to help slow the aging process. Treatments can repair cellular damage throughout your body as well as boost energy levels, helping you look and feel younger.

If possible, don’t change your habits when you notice signs of aging. Start applying creams and commit to lifestyle changes as soon as possible to keep your skin looking fresh and young.