The skin is the largest organ in the body, so you should take care of it. As a young person, you probably aren’t as concerned about aging and preserving your skin at the moment. But taking care of it now will help you exponentially in the future. Here are 10 habits you should add to your skincare routine.

Ditch the makeup wipes

Face wipes can be super convenient but washing your face with soap and water is the best thing you can do for your skin. Makeup wipes are full of harsh chemicals that can strip your skin of its natural oils. They aren’t formulated to actually clean your skin, but to break down the makeup instead. Washing your face is much more effective, plus, it’s better for the environment if you aren’t using disposable wipes.

Wear sunscreen every day

Signs of aging come from unprotected UV exposure, so if you want to limit wrinkles (and skin cancer), wear sunscreen. Don’t only wear it when you’ll be out in the sun, wear it all year long — yes, even during those dark, Michigan winter days. Find a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 or higher and use it in your skincare routine. You can even find makeup products that contain sunscreen, such as foundations, primers, and BB creams.

Invest in a retinol

Retinol is great for fighting the signs of aging. They increase collagen production and reduce collagen breakdown, which allows your aging cells to behave more like younger, healthier cells. The turnover rate is much faster, which makes way for the growth of new cells.

Apply an antioxidant serum

Another product you can add to your rotation is vitamin C. It fights free radicals from pollution and sun damage. Using antioxidants will lighten hyperpigmentation, correct signs of aging, brighten skin tone, and calm irritation.

Don’t pop your pimples

While marks on your skin fade away while you’re young, as you age, things like popping pimples can leave long-lasting dark spots. As tempting as it may be, get into the habit of not popping pimples. It’s not worth the scarring.

Get your sleep

Beauty sleep is a real thing. Everyone can always use more sleep but catching a healthy amount of Z’s can actually affect your skin. If you don’t get enough sleep, your cortisol levels can go up, which can cause inflammation. Try to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night to improve the appearance of your skin and reduce the chance of inflammation.

Eat well

Not only does your diet affect your overall health, but it also affects your skin. Ever had a breakout after eating a bunch of junk food? Try eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (salmon), vitamin E (nuts), and zinc (oysters). Adding nutrient-dense foods to your daily diet will help keep your skin clear, balanced, and healthy.

Don’t forget your neck and hands

When taking care of your skin, that doesn’t mean just your face. Be sure to extend your skincare routine to your neck. Also, don’t forget to moisturize and apply sunscreen to your hands. Hands are a common place to develop skin cancer because a lot of people forget about them when putting on sunscreen. Applying sunscreen to your neck and hands can also help prevent wrinkles.

Exfoliate regularly

It’s important to exfoliate on a regular basis to remove dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. The buildup of dead skin cells can lead to excess oil and clogged pores, which can lead to acne. Try exfoliating once a week and make sure you’re being gentle, you don’t want to irritate your skin.

Use hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is a great hydrator for the skin. It can help fine lines as well as under eye marks. A lot of face moisturizers and eye creams already have hyaluronic acid in them, so you don’t necessarily have to buy a separate product.

Caring for your skin is so important, so don’t wait until you’re already unhappy with it. Start taking care of it now so you can prevent those unwanted signs of aging. Luckily for you, we’ve got a few products you can try now that your future skin will thank you for.

Our Wrinkle Busting Kit actively fights the signs of aging with three different full-sized products of our most popular wrinkle fighting treatments, as well as a sample of our Advanced Hydrating Serum.

Try out our dermatologist-approved products and start loving your skin today!