We’re all chasing the fountain of youth in a bottle. This serum or that cream. A sunless tanner here and light therapy there. But the secret to younger looking skin that lasts is in your routine – not so much the products you use and the order you use them in, but the bigger picture – your overall lifestyle.

Moisturize For Youth
Young-looking skin is rich in moisture. As we age, our collagen and elastin naturally break down and we’re left with tiny gaps between our skin cells. Add to that the fact that many of us do not drink as much water as we should, and you’ve got dry, older-looking skin – even without the passage of time. So make it part of your routine to use a good moisturizer. Find one that works for you. Look for one that won’t clog your pores (it should say that it is noncomedogenic) and carries an SPF rating of at least 15.

Take a Cold Shower
While lounging in a steaming bath sounds like a slice of heaven to your brain and to your tense and tired muscles, it really has the opposite effect on your skin. Rather than relieving stress, a hot shower or bath actually stresses your skin by dehydrating it and dilating your blood vessels. That flush that you get after a hot shower is really your body trying o protect itself from the heat.

On the other hand, a cool lukewarm shower can help you prevent dry flaky skin. And be sure to pat dry – no rubbing. Vigorous rubbing will only irritate your skin and undo all the good your cool shower did you.

Exercise to Stay Young
Regular exercise keeps your blood pumping and increases the efficiency of your circulatory system. On top of that, it helps to deliver oxygen and nutrients to your skin.

Sleep Yourself Young
While you sleep, your skin is hard at work repairing itself from all the damage you did to it during the day. And the term “beauty sleep” is more than just a relic from your mother’s youth. Recent studies have shown that a habit of sleep deprivation can lead to “metabolic and hormonal changes in young adults usually seen only in the elderly.” So get your eight hours – nine or even ten if you can. You might just be surprised at how visibly just sleeping more can affect your skin.

Stop Smoking
If you smoke, stop. Not only will you be avoiding a host of potential health problems by cutting cigarettes out of your like, you can also help your skin look younger – and stay that way. Studies have shown that regular exposure to cigarette smoke can actually accelerate the aging process of your skin. The findings show that not only can cigarette smoke dry your face out and cause fine lines and wrinkles to come into sharp relief, but it also can give you the appearance of being as much as 20 years older than your actual age. So that means that, by quitting, you can actually look 20 years younger!

No guarantees but go ahead – give it a try.