Getting older doesn’t mean you have to live with a face full of wrinkles. If you take care of yourself and make healthy lifestyle choices, your body can continue to regenerate skin cells to keep your skin looking smooth and supple. Even if you get wrinkles, there are things you can do to make them appear smaller and less noticeable.

Avoid Sun Damage

Start protecting your skin from the sun immediately, even before the wrinkles form. Long-term exposure to the sun causes your skin to lose elasticity and creates wrinkles. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.

Healthy Food

Eat plenty of food that provides anti-aging benefits for your skin. This includes fruits and vegetables that are loaded with antioxidants and fight free radicals that can damage the skin. Practice portion control to prevent stretching the skin, but you don’t want to lose weight too quickly, or your skin will sag and wrinkles will be more obvious. A slow, steady weight loss will allow your skin to gradually shrink as you take off the pounds.

Water

Water is essential for healthy looking skin. Drink eight 8-oz. glasses or more of water each day to moisturize from the inside and to flush toxins that can leave your skin looking haggard.

Don’t Smoke

Smoking prevents oxygen and moisture to get to all your organs, including your skin, which slows down the production of elastin and collagen. Smokers tend to develop wrinkles early and they deepen with time if you continue smoking.

Sleep

Allure magazine advises getting enough sleep to prevent wrinkles. Go to bed early and aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night. If you have a difficult time falling asleep, avoid caffeine in the afternoon, darken the room and eliminate stimulating conversation and television right before you go to bed. Establish a routine of going to bed and waking up at the same time everyday.

Moisturize

Find a good moisturizer that doesn’t irritate your skin and use it everyday . Put it on each morning before applying your makeup and at night after you wash your face.

Habits

Break repetitive habits that form creases on your face. Wear sunglasses during the day to avoid squinting. Drink directly from a glass rather than through a straw because frequent puckering can lead to lines around the mouth. If you sleep in any position that involves your face coming into contact with your pillow, use a satin pillowcase to prevent waking up with lines on your face. Stop resting your chin on your hand or doing anything that stretches your facial skin.