The Most Affordable Ways to Prevent the Signs of Aging, According to Top Dermatologists

The Most Affordable Ways to Prevent the Signs of Aging, According to Top Dermatologists

When I saw my first forehead wrinkle, my immediate thought was "Botox!" But then I calmed down and thought about it with a clear head. Botox is

expensive, and there are a lot of things I can do before I resort to letting a needle quell my anxiety about aging. In fact, there are a bunch of simple choices you can make that are way less expensive than visiting a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon, and there are a bunch of inexpensive products you can purchase that will do the same job as a fancy $510 moisturizer (we're looking at you, Kim Kardashian). Here are the most cost-effective ways top dermatologists recommend to counteract the effects of aging.

Exfoliate your skin regularly.

"If your skin can tolerate the regimen, exfoliation, either physical or chemical, allows for the removal of dead skin cells, which gives skin a more youthful and smooth appearance. It can minimize pores and help stimulate collagen production, while also allowing for better penetration of products into the skin," says Rachel Nazarian, a dermatologist in New York City.

Limit how much sugar you eat.

"This might not be the first thing that comes to many people's mind as a way to improve the skin, but when you ingest sugar or high-glycemic foods that rapidly convert to sugar— whether it's in the form of an apple or a piece of cake—your body breaks down these carbohydrates into glucose, which raises your insulin levels," says Karen Hammerman, a dermatologist in New York City. "Simple carbohydrates, like refined sugar, white bread, and soda, cause your insulin levels to spike, which leads to a burst of inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation produces enzymes that break down collagen and elastin, resulting in sagging skin and wrinkles. Digested sugar permanently attaches to the collagen in your skin through a process known as glycation. Aside from increasing the effects of aging, glycation can also exacerbate skin conditions like acne and rosacea."

Stop staring at screens so much.

"Those nighttime Facebook trolling sessions have to stop. LED screens with a bright background light cause dark circles under the eyes and increase crepe-like texture in delicate skin," says Kavita Mariwalla, a dermatologist in West Islip, New York.

Wear sunscreen basically all the time.

"Not only does this protect your skin from continuous damage from ultraviolet radiation, but it will also give skin an opportunity to repair previous damage done by sun exposure, such as gradual lightening of dark spots," says Nazarian.

Buy retinol at the drugstore.

"Retinol is a staple anti-aging ingredient that stimulates healthy collagen production to strengthen the skin foundation to resist wrinkling. High-quality, inexpensive retinol products are readily available even at your local drugstore from companies like RoC and Neutrogena," says Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City.

Stop smoking.

"Smoking causes intense oxidative stress to the body and decreases the skin's innate ability to ward off damaging aging changes, resulting in a more wrinkled and aged appearance," says Annie Chiu, a dermatologist in Hermosa Beach, California.

Make sure your skin is never dehydrated.

"Use a good moisturizer daily with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and ceramides—both of these will help decrease water loss across skin and assist in maintaining a healthy barrier. Also, don't overwash your skin. Remember that your skin is a very delicate organ, and using harsh cleansers can strip the natural moisturizers compromising a healthy barrier," says Nazarian.

Decrease the amount of stress in your life and try to get enough sleep.

"Stress causes inflammatory signals to be released and has been shown in numerous studies to worsen acne, eczema, and other measures of skin hydration and appearance. Sleeping releases melatonin, which is the body's own antioxidant and helps your skin cells repair and regenerate," says Chiu.

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