10 Easy Ways to Prevent Wrinkles

If you are in your teens or early 20s, chances are wrinkles are the last thing on your mind. In fact, you probably look in the mirror each morning and can't imagine the beginnings of lines on your face.

Well, I'm here to tell you that someday, you will have wrinkles. But how many and how deep is up to you. There's a lot you can do now to help your skin so that it will be beautiful into your 40s, 50s and 60s.

I wish someone had told me when I was in my 20s that I should be wearing sunscreen every day. I'm 48, and I only started a few years ago, after the damage was already done. But I thought because I had an indoor job, I didn't need it. Little did I know I was absorbing plenty of UV rays in the car on my way to and from work, and on the weekends as well.

I never thought I'd have wrinkles when I was your age. In fact, I told myself that I wouldn't wrinkle because of my oily complexion. Having oily skin does help, but it's not enough. You have to take some active steps so that you can protect the skin you have now.

The good news is that some sun damage is reversible. I have noticed improvement in my skin since I started moisturizing every day and wearing sunscreen religiously.

Here are 10 things you can do to prevent wrinkles and keep your youthful skin longer:

• Keep out of the sun. This is probably the most important thing you can do. Even though you think you're getting a healthy-looking tan, what you are doing is adding future wrinkles.

• Keep away from tanning salons. Tanning booths or beds are just as bad as the sun, if not worse. Don't believe anyone who says otherwise.

• Wear sunscreen - not just when you go to the beach, but every day. Sun exposure while you're driving or exercising doesn't seem like much, but over a period of years, will do its damage.

I recommend wearing a moisturizer with sunscreen in it. Put it on every morning as soon as you cleanse your face. Make it a daily habit. I use Lubriderm; you may have to try a few brands before you find one that feels good and is affordable.