The Best Natural Anti-Aging Secrets

If you’re anything like me, you’ve spent an unthinkable amount of money on skincare routine items. From serums to creams to moisturizers and “the best” cleansers, I’ve tried it all. At the end of the day, I found that none of them really mattered unless I was doing two very specific things. In other words, the products that helped reduce my signs of aging only worked if I worked.

Today I’m sharing my favorite skincare routine steps, how to naturally fight the signs of aging, and the two things that took my skin from just okay to absolutely glowing.

Extrinsic Vs. Intrinsic Aging

When you think of aging, what do you think about? Most people think of physical changes – wrinkles, gray hair, slower movement, etc. There’s more to aging than meets the eye, though. In fact, my skin completely changed once I started improving two things – my intrinsic understanding of my body and improving my extrinsic factors. 

Intrinsic aging refers to aging that happens internally. Things like our DNA and the fluctuation of our hormones affect internal aging. Extrinsic aging refers to our external environment – sun exposure, pollution, stress, diet, and exercise all impact our physical appearance and aging. In short, both our physical make-up (intrinsic) and our lifestyle (extrinsic) play a role in how we age. Once I started paying attention to both, my skin improved.

Tips For Natural Anti-Aging: Your Skincare Routine

Here are some of my favorite skincare routine steps that can help slow the signs of aging:

Gua Sha

If you’ve never used a gua sha tool before, the results will blow your mind. It’s a style of face sculpting that you use with a small crystal or stainless steel tool. It’s so easy and it can help re-shape your face within a matter of sessions. I do this after washing and applying oil to my face.

Dry Brushing

Dry brushing is a great way to help support the lymphatic system. It helps remove waste from the body, resulting in less bloat, clearer skin, better digestion, and more. In my experience, I feel a good boost of energy after dry brushing. I do this right before the shower, and be sure to moisturize afterwards!

Daily Cleansing

It might sound obvious, but washing your face daily is a great way to ensure you’re clearing pores of any dirt, debris, or pollutants that could be causing breakouts and wrinkles. I try to cleanse just once per day to avoid stripping my skin of its natural oils.

Twice Weekly Exfoliants

Exfoliating is a great way to give skin a deep clean. Gentle scrubbing helps remove dead skin cells, buff away excess oil, and brighten skin. Try not to overdo exfoliants or it can cause skin to thin and wrinkle easier. I prefer to exfoliate after a hard workout or when I notice breakouts. 

Weekly Masks

Face masks are such a fun and simple way to help reduce the signs of aging. You can even make your own recipes at home. I like to do masks on Sunday evenings to relax and set myself up for the week ahead. 

Daily Habits For Natural Anti-Aging

Here are a few of my favorite lifestyle habits that can improve intrinsic and extrinsic aging:

Drink Enough Water

Hydrating is one of the BEST ways to keep skin plump and youthful. After just a few days of skimping on water I can see my lines get deeper and more prominent. Choose a water bottle you enjoy drinking out of and set alarms on your phone to remind yourself to sip! 

Cycle Syncing

Eating and working out according to where you are on your menstrual cycle is an amazing way to help keep your body in tune. I’ve noticed that when I’m in sync with my cycle, I sleep better, have more energy, my skin is clearer, and I feel more content in general. This is a great way to get to know your hormones and work with your body to look and feel your best.

Support Collagen

Our skin is made up of collagen. By supplementing with a hydrolyzed version, you can get incredible collagen benefits – like a youthful, bright, radiant complexion. Super Youth collagen is my go-to because it contains five collagen types from four natural sources. It’s the best on the market and it shows! My skin is glowing after years of taking it. All of the flavors are delicious and dissolve nearly instantly.

Avoid Sugar

Sugar is a major cause of inflammation. When our skin is inflamed, it can cause redness, drooping, and breakouts. The best way to look and feel youthful is to avoid sugar. Don’t worry, I love a good sweet treat, but protein is the main component of my meals. Do this for a few weeks and you’ll never look back!

Slow Down

Stress is one of the easiest ways to age. Support your skin and avoid aging faster than necessary by taking things slow. Give yourself time to rest and ask for help when you need it. (I’m talking to you, moms!) Slow down your day by scheduling breaks, get outside, and don’t be afraid to prioritize YOU over everything else. Your skin will thank you.