12 Ways to Look Younger After 40

“Age is just a number” – you might have heard or even said that on multiple occasions, and yes, while it is true in the sense that you’re as old or young as you feel, it’s also true that physical appearance (and physical fitness) can’t escape the passing of the years.

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Remember how you could pull an all-nighter in your early twenties and then just go about your errands in the morning? Back then, it was as if you’d discovered a fountain of youth. Unfortunately, if you did use its benefits, stayed up and lived off coffee, it might come back to you right when you didn’t need it nor want it – in your forties. It’s not uncommon for the stress from the past to finally start to make an appearance. Oops!

However, there are things you can do to look younger if that’s what you want. Here are 12 of them.

 

1. Get a New Haircut

A haircut is such a crucial thing in your overall look, and it can make all the difference. Find a good hairstylist who can work out what the ideal cut is. You want to find something that looks great with your face shape, while simultaneously knocking some years off of your face. When it comes to color, feel free to experiment, and this can also mean growing some greys and rocking them. Be bold and brave –if not now, when?

 

2. Never Skip on Moisturizer

In ideal cases, you’ve been using a good moisturizer for the past twenty years. However, your skin changes over time, and naturally, you need to find a new one that suits your skin type and your age. And then use it as your life depends on it! Apply it to your face, neck, and hands every day. It really takes care of your skin and helps it age gracefully.

 

3. Laugh a Lot

Laughing is a wonderful stress reliever, which you’ve probably known already. But did you know that it can help prevent premature aging? And it’s a great exercise for your face muscles. So schedule in some workout time for those, watch a rom-com or get together with your friends!

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4. Refresh Your Wardrobe

Your clothes are in big part responsible for your appearance and your overall feeling about yourself. So don’t wear anything that’s unflattering, and instead replace those items with new ones that make you feel and look good. But make sure to go for clothes that fit you well, flattering your shape and emphasizing those areas you’re most confident about and love the most. With clothes looking like they were tailored specifically for you, you’ll look great – and younger.

 

5. Hop into a Salon for a Facial

Apart from DIY at home with the use of moisturizer, you can keep your skin healthy with the help of facials. For the best results, make an appointment every few weeks, or whenever you feel your skin needs a pick-me-up. After all, with your skin looking refreshed and glowing, you’ll look the same, too.

 

6. Get Your Dose of Zzz’s Every Night

We know, as you age, it’s easier said than done. But do try your best to hit seven or eight hours a day. Not only will enough sleep leave you more energized and without black circles around the eye, but will increase your skin’s ability to recover after being out and about in the sun. What more can you ask for?

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7. Say Goodbye to Wrinkles

Of course, wrinkles are about to happen as you age, but if you want, you can get rid of them, or make them less prominent. One of the obvious choices is opting for corrective surgery, as a proper blepharoplasty can make you look a decade younger. Another thing you can do at home is use quality anti-aging products for a more youthful look.

 

8. Eat Well

After having eaten tons of pizza in your twenties with no trace left on your hips, you might feel like your body is betraying you now. To make sure you stay healthy, and good-looking, switch to a balanced diet of fruit, veggies, protein, fibre, and fats. Your protein intake should be good enough to deter potential muscle atrophy, and it will also help your skin, hair, and nails look good. And of course, don’t skip water – being hydrated will keep your skin looking vibrant.

 

9. Get the Habit of Always Wearing Sunscreen

Nowadays it doesn’t matter anymore whether it’s sunny or cloudy; the sun has become super strong and it can cause sunburns and damages responsible for premature aging. Protect your skin with a good sunscreen, and you’ll prevent wrinkles and dark sports. So keep some in your bag at all times.

 

10. Move Every Day

If you’ve been an active gym member in the past, good for you – it won’t be difficult to maintain the habit. However, if you’re more on the couch potato spectrum, now is the ideal time to start moving. Not only will working out regularly benefit your health and well-being, but also make you look younger. Take a few months and try it out – if committed, and you should be, you’ll love the results, whether it be losing weight or just being more toned. If you’re not sure what to do at the gym, invest in a personal trainer, who will know exactly what you need to do to reach your goals.

 

11. Buy a Proper Bra

Did you know that the majority of women actually wear bras that are ill-fitting? But a good bra, the one that fits properly, will get you an instant lift, and make you look more youthful. Yay for that! Get fitted in a specialized store, and once you know the appropriate size and shape, buy several so you don’t have to worry when the good one is being washed.

 

12. Flash a Smile

It’s easy to frown all the time because let’s face it, the bad news is everywhere and the future looks uncertain and grim. But happy faces are seen as younger than those who are not smiling. If you’re not too keen on showing your teeth, book an appointment with the dentist who can help you with whitening treatments or anything else you need to flash them and show everyone how great life is.

 

And you know what? With a positive outlook on life, it truly is. Keeping that attitude, and following our advice, will definitely make age just a number, nothing more.

About the author:

Mia Johnson is a freelance writer with a ten-year long career in journalism. She has written extensively about health, fitness, and lifestyle. A native to Melbourn, she now lives in Sidney with her 3 dogs where she spends her days writing and taking care of her 900 square feet garden.