I just turned 31. On top of the skincare changes that occur naturally in our 30s, the eating disorder I developed in my early-to-mid 20s aged me well beyond my years. So, I’ve been doing intense damage control ever since. I’ve literally begged dermatologists and estheticians (I get Obagi facials from Massage Envy every couple months) for effective anti aging tips, and somewhere in the midst of my pleads and prayers, I found a handful of affordable products and tips that’ve helped dramatically. I’m sharing 5 things I do every morning for anti-aging in today’s post!

Also, elephant in the room– no shade intended, but I’m not one of those bloggers who gets Botox and chemical peels biweekly and then gives advice on how to naturally maintain younger looking skin. As great as med spas can be, they’re just not affordable, and they don’t fit into my lifestyle. Just wanted to clear the air real quick. Now, on to the anti aging tips– 

1. Chug water.

Every esthetician I’ve ever been to has told me the key to younger looking skin is water. It’s one of the easiest and most affordable anti aging tips, but for anyone who loves Diet Coke and fizzy water as much as I do, it can be a hard habit to build. So, I’ve started chugging an entire Blender Bottle of water first thing in the morning. This helps keep my body hydrated and refreshed and maintain my skin’s elasticity. I’ve also noticed it helps boost my energy in the morning, too. 

2. Add collagen peptides to coffee.

Fun fact– collagen is the most abundant protein in skin, so I started adding collagen peptides to my coffee every morning. They’re tasteless and dissolve within a few seconds, so I figured– don’t knock ’em ’til I’ve tried ’em, right? I’ve been adding collagen peptides to coffee for over 4 months now (I order these off Amazon), and I have nothing but good things to say. I’ve also found I’m less hungry in the mornings now, too.

The dermatology jury’s still out on exactly how effective collagen supplements are in terms of repairing damaged skin, but they’re known to improve skin elasticity and reduce point paint. Plus, collagen peptides provide added protein, so if you’re falling short of your daily goal, they can be an easy way to sneak more in. All that being said, I’m an actuary-turned-blogger, not a skincare expert, so I always recommend doing your own research. You can read more about the benefits (and potential side effects) or drinking collagen peptides on Health.com. 

3. Moisturize.

I’m Italian. I absolutely hate the idea of my skin being more greasy and oily than it is naturally, so I developed a mental aversion to moisturizer all throughout my 20s. I feel like an idiot all these years later, but I know many women feel similarly, and I totally get it. It seems counterproductive to voluntarily add more grease to your skin when it produces oil bountifully without provocation. The trouble is, though, that when your skin is dehydrated, it soaks in oil instead of water content. This creates blemishes. So, by not moisturizing (and alleviating your dehydrated skin), you’re actually making your skin more oily. It’s unfair and counterintuitive, but it’s the unfortunate truth.

I finally gave in about a year ago, and it’s made a world of difference. I used to have small bumps (not really pimples, just unsightly red bumps) all over my cheeks and chin, and my esthetician blamed it on dehydration. So, I started applying a mix of Obagi Hydrate Facial Moisturizer and organic rosehip seed oil every morning and night, and the bumps are completely gone. It’s helped with my skin’s redness, brightness, and smoothness, too!

4. Slather on SPF 50+ sunscreen.

Similarly to facial moisturizer, it felt unnatural to pile on sunscreen as a final layer to my already oily skin. However, because my weight’s fluctuated so dramatically over the past few years, my hormones have been thrown completely out of whack. As a result, I’ve developed unsightly hyperpigmentation allllll over my face. Not only is hyperpigmentation exacerbated by sun exposure, but part of my daily skincare routine (I’m currently using the Rodan + Fields Reverse Lightening line) involves a somewhat intense lightening treatment that doesn’t mix well with the sun. So, I’ve been applying 50+ sunscreen to my face every day, and the results so far are pretty telling. Not only is my hyperpigmentation slowly subsiding, I’m preventing future wrinkles and sun damage, too. Wins all around. 

5. Destress.

Lastly, and this is probably the most important, I’ve squeezed some quality “me time” into my morning routine. It’s no secret that stress can be detrimental to your health, but it can also be visibly harmful to your skin. WebMD explains it best here. So, whether it’s quietly enjoying a cup of coffee (with my collagen peptides, of course), working out, reciting daily affirmations, or whatever, I find that setting aside time to center myself before a busy day keeps my stress (and my skin) in check. 

Honestly, I’ve been implementing a lot of changes into my daily routine to try and improve both my skin and overall health and wellness– mostly to boost my fertility odds but also because I’ve ignored my health for too long. That being said, these are the 5 measures that really stand out as far as effective anti-aging tips go. If you’ve had success with any particular anti aging product or tidbit of advice, please share! I’ll take all the help I can get!

Photography by Catherine Rhodes.