So you want to know how to keep skin youthful? Yeah, me too. I mean, who doesn't, right? I used to think that the only way to keep my skin looking great was to invest in expensive creams and lotions that claimed to work miracles. Spoiler alert - they don't. Turns out that the best way to keep your skin looking amazing is to take really great care of it.

Making changes in your lifestyle is a huge component of how to keep skin youthful and healthy. Here are ten changes I've made over the past couple of years to make sure my skin is looking its best. They're easy enough to implement, and can make a huge difference in all aspects of your health. Don't believe me? Give them a try!

How to Keep Skin Youthful and Healthy - 10 Tips to Try Today:

1. Protect Yourself from the Sun: Yeah, I know, you've heard me say this a million times on this blog. But it's so, so important. Sun damage causes premature aging and increases your risk of skin cancer. Fight back by using a daily SPF facial sunscreen and applying an SPF sunblock to your body every time you expose it to the sun.
   
   
   
2. Exfoliate: When you remove dead skin cells through exfoliation, you help your skin create new collagen. The result? Your skin looks healthier and more radiant. Exfoliating is also a great way to clear out dirt and other junk, which is a must if you want healthy and gorgeous looking skin. Be sure to use a natural exfoliant that won't expose your skin to harmful chemicals.
3. Ditch the Cigarettes: Another one for the "yeah, yeah, I know" file, but it's so important. Cigarettes not only cause problems for your lungs and heart, they can seriously impact the way your skin looks and feels. Smoking creates enzymes that damages collagen in your skin. Over time, this can lead to sagging and premature aging. Kicking the habit as soon as possible will prevent additional damage from occurring. And let's not talk about what it does to your teeth...
4. Wash Your Face Before You Go to Bed: It doesn't matter how tired you are - if you forget to wash your face before bed, you allow oil and dirt to build up. This can ultimately cause breakouts and bacterial infections. Use a natural and gentle cleanser every night. Too tired for the rigamarole of washing and rinsing? Invest in natural makeup remover or toner for a quick cleanse that doesn't require you to rinse. There. Now you have no excuse.
   
   
   
5. Massage: This may sound silly, but I swear it works! Gently massage the skin on your face every day. Use your fingertips and work in a circular motion. Not only does this encourage your skin to make more collagen (keeping it tighter and younger looking), it can also help stimulate your lymph glands, promoting clearer skin.
6. Get Some Vitamin C: There was a study published in the American Journal of Nutrition that found that women with higher amounts of Vitamin C in their diet were less likely to develop wrinkles than women with lower levels. Why? Vitamin C is crucial to forming collagen. Get all the vitamin C you need by eating red peppers, leafy vegetables, tomatoes, oranges, and kiwi.
7. Work up a Sweat: Not only is exercise great for your body and overall health, it's a godsend for your skin. Working up a sweat helps your body eliminate the toxins that build up under the skin. Even better, exercising improves your circulation, which helps blood flow properly to you skin. The result? A happier, healthier complexion.
8. Don't Touch Your Face: Think about everything you touch over the course of a day. Now, think about rubbing your face on all of them. Not a pretty picture. But that's essentially what you're doing if you're touching your face throughout the day. Break yourself of habits like rubbing your eyes or resting your cheek on your hand to reduce the amount of germs and dirt that transfers to your face.
   
   
9. Get Plenty of Sleep: Your skin uses the time you spend sleeping to conduct repairs. If you don't get enough shut-eye, it won't have enough time to work. When your wake up your skin will look sallow and dull. You're also more likely to wake up with dark circles or bags under your eyes if you don't get enough sleep.
10. Balance Stress: If you're stressed, it impacts almost every area of your life and health. Your skin is no exception. Stress can lead to blemishes, skin dullness, and rashes. Learn to manage your stress to reduce its negative impact on your skin and on your ability to enjoy life.

Tell Me Your Tips!

So there you go - how to keep skin youthful and healthy in 10 steps! But there's a lot more out there than those ten ideas to keeping your skin looking young. What tips and tricks do you have to share? Let me know in the comments below!