5 Ways to Look Younger Without Really Trying

It's really not that complicated.

By Kayleigh Donahue Hodes, Redbook

Maybe you assume that the more you do to your skin, the better it will look. Not so! Experts swear it's really not that complicated: These basic tips will supercharge your everyday regimen so you can be smooth, glowing, and relaxed.

Get Your Daily Dose Of Antioxidants

You wouldn't head outside in 30-degree weather without a coat on, right? Well, think of antioxidants as your necessary, year-round layer — without 'em, your skin is left exposed and vulnerable to the elements, namely UV rays and pollution. Both create free radicals, nasty little molecules that can penetrate your skin and cause wrinkles, brown spots, and skin cancer. Antioxidants render free radicals powerless, so dab on a serum or moisturizer every morning that contains potent ones. "You want a formula that has a mix of oil-soluble antioxidants such as vitamin E to help protect skin cells' outer membranes, and water-soluble antioxidants like green tea and vitamin C that absorb into cells," explains New York City dermatologist Francesca Fusco, M.D., an associate member of the American Academy of Dermatology. You'll find all three in BeautyRx by Dr. Shultz Triple Vitamin C Serum (beautyrx.com); if your skin is on the sensitive side, try Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer SPF 30 (olay.com), which has green tea and vitamin E.

Pick the Right Anti-Ager

Skin-care brands have swirled everything from diamond dust to crushed pearls into wrinkle creams, but your routine doesn't need to be Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Derms stand by the tried-and-true age-fighters: retinol, peptides, and vitamins. They also say formulation is key to how well these ingredients do their job. For a product with retinol — which Fusco calls "the single best over-the-counter ingredient for treating and preventing wrinkles" — choose a serum or lotion that contains 0.25 percent. "It takes time for most people's skin to adjust to retinol, so begin with a low strength," Fusco explains. (TryFirst Aid Beauty Fab Skin Lab Retinol Serum .25%.) "Use it every other night for the first few weeks, then up it to every night. If your skin tolerates the 0.25 concentration well, after a few months upgrade to a product with .5 or 1 percent."

To help firm up your skin, peptides are another excellent collagen-booster. "With peptides, though, it's all about the delivery system," says Jeannette Graf, M.D., an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. "So shop from big, well-known skin-care brands, because they do a lot of research and you're more likely to get a good peptide blend from them." She likes Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Cream ($24.99, olay.com). If you're trying to fade dark spots and even out skin tone, a serum with L-ascorbic acid — which is considered the most effective version of vitamin C— can work wonders. Try Paula's Choice Resist C15 Super Booster (paulaschoice.com).

Be Smart About SPF

While we've all gotten better about wearing daily facial sunscreen — and it only took every dermatologist on the planet telling us for decades to do so — there are still ways to improve protection. First, it's fine to use an SPF 15 moisturizer in colder months instead of SPF 30, so long as the label says it's broad-spectrum. "It's true that UVB rays, which are the ones that cause a sunburn, are not as strong in winter, but the UVA rays that reach deep into skin stay constant all year, and only broad-spectrum sunscreens guard against those," explains Graf. (Try Murad Balancing Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 15 PA++, sephora.com.) Spread your SPF down your neck and on the backs of your hands and the tops of your ears, too; those are areas where doctors report seeing a higher incidence of skin cancer.

If you spend a lot of time behind the wheel, stash a powder sunscreen in your purse; doctors say it's crucial, especially for the side of your face and neck facing the window. While car windshields block out nearly all UVA rays, a study last year found that many side windows offer far less protection, with some blocking less than half. So please, please take 10 seconds to brush on a powder SPF before you hit the road. (We like Eau Thermale Avène High Protection Tinted Compact SPF 50, amazon.com.)

Ease Up On Exfoliation

There was a time when buffing your face every day was considered one of the best ways to stay young-looking, since it helps trigger collagen production. But then experts discovered that all that sloughing can set off a host of skin problems. "There's an optimal pH level for skin that allows it to function properly," says Graf. "When you exfoliate too often, you throw off that pH balance, making skin more susceptible to environmental irritants and more sensitive to certain ingredients." So how frequently should you do it? Dermatologists say one to two times a week is plenty, and they recommend using a glycolic acid or lactic acid at-home peel, since you can't overdo it the way you could with a scrub. (Try the Skyn Iceland Nordic Skin Peel, which contains lactic acid.)

Don't Stress So Much

We know, we might as well ask you to ride a unicorn to work — but if you can find little ways to relax, it'll show up on your face. "When you're stressed, your cortisol levels spike; this is associated with reducing skin's collagen production and speeding up the breakdown of existing collagen, leading to spots, wrinkles, and sagging," says Arielle N.B. Kauvar, M.D., a clinical professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine. In addition, the body's production of the hormone that balances cortisol slows down as we get older. So if you're past 50 years old — or constantly stressed — Graf advises taking 25-50 mg a day of 7-Keto DHEA, a supplement that has no known adverse side effects). Then, whatever else you can do to unwind, go for it: It'll be great for your soul and your skin.

See more at: Redbook