Best lifestyle choices to look youthful?

[sleepysusie]

Inspired by another thread where a woman said her friend never drank and was child free and looked 25 at 40 I am wondering what the best lifestyle is to stay looking young.

I do drink (too much) and I have 2 kids and at 40 I defiantly feel booze and being a mum with all the stress and lack of sleep have aged me the most although I wouldn't change it.

What do you think are the most aging or youth boosting lifestyle choices smoking or not, having kids or not, stress, water intake, diet, exercise etc what makes the most difference besides skin care?

Genes are important but so is looking after yourself - I love wine, cake and going out but I balance it by staying out of the sun, drinking plenty of water and eating lots of fresh fruit and veg. I'm 42 with two young children but people often think I'm in my twenties - I do smile a lot though. That can work wonders!

All this staying out of the sun.....

I am doomed, lived in South America for 19 years, and had lots of sun (even if I used suncream), no beach holidays... just daily life

at 40, I can see a very marked difference among my friends. Those who are children look generally a lot better than the mums regardless of lifestyle.

So, so much is down to your genes, I'm afraid.

I am very lucky, in that I have inherited great skin- eventhough I rarely take my make-up off at night (gasp), My Mum is 75, but looks 60. Her Mum had barely a wrinkle, even at 70. I don't really drink water, either. I luffs my strong coffee and chocolate too. I have never put my face in the sun, but that's about it.

I think looking younger is all about looking fresher. So, avoid getting into a fashion rut (it doesn't matter how comfy fleeces and MumBoots are...you don't have to live in them).

Have something about you that is a little bit quirky. Could be the bag you're carrying. Or the colour of your nail polish. Or the zebra ballet flats you haven't dare wear yet.

Get a decent hair cut which flatters you. Invest in a good foundation that enhances, rather than covers and cakes. Get a bit of colour on your lips.

Look after your teeth. Dingy teeth really age you. Get them whitened, it makes a huge diffference to your smile and whole face.

Too much weight is very ageing. It changes your posture, and alters the way you move. I've recently lost 12lbs, and it's made a world of difference already (another 6lbs to go).

I agree with the pp who said dance or yoga is the key. If you look at people who have danced all their lives they look much younger than their years. (I know some horse riders in their 70s who look pretty good too; they have strong cores.). Keeping lean makes you look youthful too I think. (I say this as someone who is overweight with terrible posture).

Wearing face, body, hand cream;
Being internally happy & at peace with life;
Laughing lots;
Eating healthily;
Wearing colours (black/ navy daily is very draining and ageing);
Regular exercise,
Lipstick!

I do all the wrong things like wash my face with soap, sometimes I sleep in my make up. The thing that makes my skin look bad is eating bad like junk food everyday for a week and if im dehydrated my make up goes on horribly.

What makes it look really good is obviously being hydrated, having a protein rich diet.

I do believe its genes though because my mum has washed her face with soap all her life and only uses e45 cream on her face and she doesn't look her age.

Having no wrinkles doesn't necessarily make you look younger if you have a frumpy demeanor.
You still look 'old' but with good skin.
Nothing is more ageing than grey hair imo.

Hang out with older people
Only wear cosmetics you've shoplifted from Boots
Never knowingly stray within 30 foot of any flared trouser or waterfall top.
If your hairdresser suggests anything "choppy" or "ashy tones" run from the establishment screaming.
Drink more gin. Hangovers are a great leveller of aesthetics amongst people all ages, even the genetically blessed.

I think almost EVERYONE thinks they look younger than they are.

And people always tell other people they look 10 years younger, sadly I never believe it when people say things like that (old and cynical, I think they are trying to butter me up)

I'm thirty next month and get IDed constantly. My secrets are a round face, loads of water, being a bit fat, and lots of booze

I'm pretty sure it's genetic mostly, and anyway, a youthful fun attitude is much more important than looks in terms of how 'fresh' a person seems

Can i ask what brands of spf you all wear? Isnt it greasy?

No children doesn't necessarily make you look younger

The last few years of failed IVF and miscarriages and surgeries have done a number on my face - my crows feet are atrocious. I've got a shitload more wrinkles now - I'm 35.

I went to see a dermatologist last night about sorting them out - going back in a few weeks to get some botox because whilst I wouldn't mind looking haggard if we actually had a baby, i refuse to be barren AND wrinkly .

From a distance I look younger as I'm tall and skinny, and have a pretty decent sense of style. But I don't think I look great up close because of my skin. The dermatologist said diet and drinking water could only go so far - they will help your general overall health and demeanor, but neither they nor any topical treatments can turn back the clock on my face.

@wizzywig Blore watery essence (from Japan on amazon) SPF 50 or la Roche posay anthelios SPF 50 from Boots. I have oily skin so need something non greasy

Thanks bananafish

Yes to all the people who say people tell me I look so young brigade. Its polite bollocks. I get told it and I plainly look late 30s early 40s which I am, and not 20s like politely suggested sometimes.

Boozers bloated ruddy complexion is a thing though. Noticed that all boozers (wine o clock lot) in 30s and 40s have the same lineless yet meaty looking skin. They all think lineless= youthful. But it doesn't.
Radiance in skin is more of inicator than fine lines. This comes from good diet I think, and sweating during exercise.
Too thin really is too aging but overweight is not youthful. Having no waist and enormous chest is very middle aged matron looking regardless of the rest of the package.

For those of you who say smoking doesn't make much of a difference - I have a twin sister (so the same genetics), both have the same job, both have children albeit at quite a few years apart (my children are older than hers so I should look older than her,). But I don't - the big difference is smoking. I've never smoked but she smoked for about 20+ years. My skin is so much better than hers and makes me look younger.

Sunscreen
Not smoking
Being a bit chubby.

what does the menopause do that is so ageing? not quite sure what to look out for (I have my suspicions)

Don't be too thin, it makes you look gaunt in the face.
Don't be too fat, it makes you look frumpy.
Smile a lot.
Last one, (I will get flamed here) when life allows, reduce stress. Retired last year. Now look and feel a lot younger, so do my non working friends. Life "stress" really does show on your face.

Best sunscreen recommendations, pretty please...?

@ChocAuVin posted sunscreen recommendations a couple of posts back

znaika yes! It is meaty skin. Thats a perfect description

It sounds vile but i don't mean it that way. More like the lies we tell ourselves. I think you always

Ooops... You always look your age but can look good with it or hmmm less good.