Let’s be honest. Most of us don’t put a lot of thought and effort into an “anti-aging” routine. The idea of spending hundreds of dollars on miracle creams and special face treatments may not strike us as particularly manly. However, we don’t want to end up looking like a Shar Pei dog by the time we’re 50 either. The good news is that there are a few simple steps and products you can incorporate into your daily grooming routine to ensure that you age in a distinguished manner. 
Sleep
Sleep is one of the most important aspects of preventing premature aging. Sleep is when your body goes to work repairing itself, including your skin. Aim for 7–9 hours a night of quality sleep to help ward off Father Time from reeking havoc on your appearance.
Water
Dehydration leads to dry skin. Not drinking enough water can result in the appearance of fine lines due to less than optimal skin cell function. Try and drink at least 64 ounces of water a day in order to maintain a youthful appearance. However, if you’re active (and you should be) you will need to increase this amount.
Exercise
Speaking of activity, it may not seem exactly related but exercise can improve the elasticity of your skin, which will help to hold off wrinkles. Routinely exercising can help to “trick” your body into thinking you’re younger than you are. This results in all kinds of benefits, including younger looking skin. Set a goal of 30-60 minutes of activity per day, as some science shows that regular exercise is the key to increasing your body’s antioxidant (those little nutrients helping to fight off disease and aging) defense system.
Vitamins
Research shows that certain nutrients are essential for preventing and reversing many signs of aging. Vitamins provide these nutrients to help feed your cells, resulting in healthy skin when consumed in sufficient quantities. Additionally, some vitamins prevent and repair cellular damage by neutralizing harmful free radicals, which slows the aging process. While it’s best to get your vitamins through a healthy diet full of fresh fruits and veggies, it’s almost impossible to consume enough produce to ensure an adequate amount of the needed nutrients. Add a daily multivitamin to your routine to ensure you are receiving enough nutrients to keep your skin young and healthy.
Be sure to check back next week for Part II and find out about a few products you can add to your routine to keep you looking like the handsome gent you are.
