In a society obsessed with defying the effects of aging and maintaining a youthful appearance, skin care techniques and practices seem more talked about than ever. From tailored ads to the beauty influencers we keep bumping into while scrolling down our social media feeds, we are constantly exposed to the many ways to slow down the passage of time.
A viral Reddit post by u/likerunninginadream, which has amassed 16,000-plus comments since it was shared on August 10, provided individuals who pride themselves on maintaining a youthful glow with the opportunity to share their “secrets” to looking effortlessly young.
Many of their tips overlapped, with the most common including wearing sunscreen, avoiding alcohol and drugs, eating vegetables, managing stress and retaining facial weight, highlighting both timeless advice and modern insights.
Newsweek asked four skin care experts for their takes on the tried and tested tips.
Sunscreen: The Daily Essential
Dr. Roger Kapoor, a Harvard-trained dermatologist and senior executive vice president at Beloit Health System, is pleased to see the critical role of sunscreen being discussed online.
“Sunscreen protects your skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun,” Kapoor told Newsweek. “It helps prevent sunburn [and] cumulative damage and reduces the risk of skin cancer, all of which contribute to premature aging.”
Eha Urbsalu, the founder of the natural skincare line Viking Beauty Secrets, agrees. The beauty entrepreneur added that while some sun exposure is healthy, too much can do more harm than good.
A woman applies moisturizer to her face. Four experts weighed in on some common anti-aging skincare “secrets” for Newsweek.
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“Although, it’s important to get some sun exposure, when your skin is exposed to sunlight—specifically UVB rays—it synthesizes vitamin D,” Urbsalu told Newsweek. “This vitamin is essential for various bodily functions, including the absorption of calcium, which is vital for bone health.
“Vitamin D also plays a role in skin cell growth, repair, and metabolism, helping maintain a healthy skin barrier.”
Avoiding Alcohol and Drugs
The Reddit thread also highlighted the importance of avoiding alcohol and drugs, a point that Kapoor reinforced.
“Alcohol is a diuretic, leading to dehydration,” Kapoor, who holds an MBA from Oxford University, said. “Dehydrated skin tends to look dull and dry and can develop fine lines and wrinkles more easily.”
Dr. Donald Yoo, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, concurred that excessive alcohol intake and drug use can suck the moisture out of one’s skin, leaving it dry, thin and aged.
“Youthful skin is well-hydrated skin, rich in collagen and hyaluronic acid, which retains water,” Yoo told Newsweek.
Kapoor added: “Alcohol can also cause inflammation, leading to redness, puffiness, and flare-ups such as rosacea or acne.”
Nutrition: The Role of Vegetables
A well-balanced diet rich in vegetables,