It’s true: wrinkles are inevitable as we age. This is because of the natural weakening of the skin and the loss of collagen that occurs with age. But genetics also play a role, as skin damage such as sun damage and scars can contribute to wrinkles.

First, the good news: a few simple steps can make a huge difference in slowing down the process of aging. The best part is they are easy to implement and don’t cost a lot of money. Now, the bad news: there is no magic formula that will stop the clock. However, if you stick with these 10 easy and affordable ways to prevent wrinkles, you’ll be taking the best action you’ll ever take towards the healthy, beautiful skin you’ve always wanted.

So, while you can’t prevent wrinkles forever, you can help delay them. And there are a few simple things you can do to help prevent wrinkles and keep your face looking smooth and wrinkle-free, and they don’t need to be expensive. You can use natural remedies, make a mask, or use face tape. If you want to learn about these methods of wrinkle prevention, keep reading. Here are ten easy and affordable (or free) ways to prevent wrinkles.

Wearing Sunscreen

Skin damage from ultraviolet (UV) light is one of the biggest contributors to signs of aging, such as wrinkles, discolorations, and leathery texture. Wrinkles are caused by a breakdown of the skin’s tissue, primarily caused by sunlight, which is why they are most pronounced on the face, neck, and hands. Because it’s impossible to prevent the sun from hitting your face, your best bet is to use sunscreen every day. To combat the effects of UV light, dermatologists recommend protecting our skin with sunscreens of at least SPF15 and regularly reapply every 150 minutes.

Pillow

Anyone looking to eliminate those pesky sleep wrinkles around their eyes will be glad to know that there is a simple and very inexpensive solution that you can implement at home. All you need to do is invest in a high-grade, natural pillowcase, such as one made of silk, and wash your pillowcase every week. While this solution does not directly prevent wrinkles, using a clean, gentle fabric for a pillowcase can prevent abrasion of the skin and help retain moisture.

Stay Hydrated

Another thing to consider is the amount of water you drink each day. While you may not realize it, dehydration is one of the common causes of wrinkles, and you should be aware of how much water you should be drinking. The skin loses its elasticity when dehydrated, and wrinkles begin to appear as a result. Water intake should be at least half a gallon per day, as this is the amount that will help stay properly hydrated.

Exercise

Exercise can help reduce the visible signs of aging in a number of ways. Reducing stress, increasing your energy level, and fighting off disease can contribute to a reduced appearance of wrinkles and reduced changes in skin tone. While there’s no evidence that exercise reduces wrinkles directly, there’s plenty of research that suggests it can tighten and tone your skin, making you look younger. That’s because muscle tissue generates more collagen than fat tissue.

Eat Healthy

Everyone wants to look their best, and the fastest way to do that is to eat healthy foods. That’s because healthy foods are packed with nutrients that help your body function properly, which in turn keeps you looking young. For example, adding more elastin and collagen to the skin can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The best way to do this is by following a healthy diet that is high in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.

Skincare Routine: Cleansing & Moisturizing

A handy tip that a lot of people forget: you can reduce the signs of aging by keeping your skin clean and applying moisturizer. While this may not be rocket science, it is an important part of keeping your skin looking young. Our bodies produce natural oils that keep the skin looking healthy. But when dirt, dust, and pollution get on a person’s skin, it prevents those oils from doing their job. In fact, some of these elements can even clog up the pores and cause pimples. The first step to preventing this is by regularly cleansing your skin once in the morning and once at night, moisturizing after both cleanses.

DIY Face Masks

At-home facial masks are a great way to infuse moisture into your skin, fight the signs of aging, and give yourself a fresh-faced look. There are easy and effective DIY face masks that you can do with ingredients you likely already have in your home, each recipe targeting a different skin problem.

Get Enough Sleep

You’re probably familiar with the term “beauty sleep,” but did you know that not getting enough sleep can actually increase free radical production? Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that contribute to skin damage and other signs of aging. This makes sleep one of the best ways to give your skin and body a break from the day-to-day stresses of life, and as a result, reducing wrinkles.

Face Tape

One easy way to reduce wrinkles is to tape the face. The principle of the method is that the tape can prevent or reduce wrinkles by stretching the skin, and then the skin will gradually become more elastic, and the wrinkles will be reduced. To achieve this, kinesiology tape can be cut into smaller, rectangular pieces, and each piece can be applied to smooth out wrinkles around the forehead, the cheeks, and the chin. The tape is then pulled tight and left on for the night. The tape relaxes the face muscles, reducing the wrinkles.

Neck Tape

The skin on your face is regularly exposed to the elements, so it tends to show signs of aging earlier than other parts of your body. The skin on your neck, however, while relatively sheltered from the sun and other environmental factors, develops wrinkles later in life. This is because the skin on the neck is thinner than any other part of the body, making the neck more susceptible to signs of aging like sagging, wrinkling, and jowling. The best way to reduce wrinkles and increase skin elasticity around your neck is with neck tape. This tape is made to fit your skin type, and you can customize it to your neck and facial features for optimal results. It’s great for people who don’t want to undergo surgery but want to see a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

The Takeaway

The simple truth is that most of us don’t have the time or money to invest in complicated wrinkle treatments. Luckily, the most effective anti-wrinkle treatments don’t always have to be the most expensive, as evidenced by the examples above. But as we all know, there is no substitute for a healthy diet and lifestyle. By avoiding factors like smoking, excessive drinking, and stress, you can reduce or even prevent the appearance of your wrinkles.