Taking action against aging doesn’t have to mean expensive and risky facial cosmetic surgery or harsh skin treatments. Ask anyone whose well-maintained skin you admire and they will tell you that it’s as much about their lifestyle choices as about any magic anti aging secret. So, if you really want to look younger and age gracefully, here are twelve tips to follow.

Top Anti Aging Lifestyle Tips

1. Stop Smoking: In addition to the life-threatening effects we all know about, smoking increases the carbon monoxide levels in your blood, promoting the formation of free radicals which prematurely age your skin. It also discourages the synthesis of collagen, slowing and diminishing your skin’s ability to heal minor wounds and replenish itself. If you do continue to smoke, be prepared for rougher, dryer skin and wrinkles around your mouth and eyes.

2. Sun Protection: Sun damage is the fastest way to age your skin. Even if you rarely burn, tanning leads to photoaging, a process that produces deep wrinkles in leathery textured skin and will cause premature age spots. Keep a moisturizer with sunblock in your bag, and if you find yourself outside for longer than 30 minutes, cover up. If you really want a tan, fake it.

3. Feed your skin: For maximum antioxidant protection, eat fresh vegetables, fruit and whole grains – all high in antioxidants.  Make sure you get plenty of vitamins C and vitamin E. These two wonder vitamins work together to restore collagen in your skin. You also need plenty of omega 3, an antioxidant which maintains the structure and fluidity of cells and moisturizes the skin from within – an essential part of your anti aging diet.

4. Feed your body: Eat more raw, organic fruits and vegetables. Reduce excess calcium in food and water and consume calcium dissolving superfoods such as medicinal mushrooms as outlined in David Wolfe’s Longevity Now Program. Studies are now showing that calcification is a primary cause of aging and it can be prevented! See: Longevity Now Program

5. Beverage of youth: Green tea is an amazing and natural anti aging product. Recent research shows that the natural properties of green tea can help protect you from all forms of cancer, build your resistance to heart disease and dementia, and contribute to your body’s ability to burn fat – especially abdominal fat.

6. Moisturize: A great anti aging moisturizer will provide continous hydration and protection from further free radical damage. Choose the best one you can afford. Make sure it has high levels of proven effective ingredients like retinol or peptides that work to reverse the aging process and reduce wrinkles.

7. Exfoliate: Gentle exfoliation with a washcloth, natural sponge, or exfoliating product will reveal your healthiest, youngest-looking skin, Exfoliating in a warm shower just before moisturizing ensures that your skin looks and feels its best.

8. Get moving – As well as improving your energy levels and overall health, exercise is great for the skin, stimulating blood flow and thus increasing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your skin cells. There are fun activities and safe exercise plans for every fitness and mobility level, so if you haven’t already, put exercise at the heart of your anti aging regimen.

9. Stay hydrated: Make sure to drink enough water, and pure Spring water if you can get it. A dehydrated system will have difficulty delivering nutrients and maintaining healthy blood flow to your skin.

10. Reduce alcohol: Alcohol accelerates skin aging through dehydration and inflammatory effects. Excess alcohol also blocks the absorption of key nutrients you need for antioxidant protection.

11. Check your stress levels: When you’re under stress your body releases hormones which suppress the immune system and accelerate the aging process. The result is premature wrinkles and increased abdominal fat storage. Take time to recognize stress in your life and manage it effectively.

12. Get more sleep: Sleep is when your skin repairs damage and generates new cells. If you’re not getting enough of it, in addition to the telltale puffy eyes and dark circles, you’ll start to notice fine lines, duller skin surface, and slower healing. Do whatever you can to give your body the time it needs to rest and rejuvenate; the difference in how you feel will also become visible in the way you look.

So – that’s it – twelve top anti aging tips to help you look younger and feel great. And now for the difficult part – all you need to do is follow them!