Are pricey skincare products best? Does drinking tons of water keep skin young? Learn the anti-aging myths you need to ignore and what actually helps!

Looking for a way to maintain that youthful glow forever? Many of us wish there was a holy grail to prevent aging. But the most essential piece of advice is to live with an "age gracefully" mentality. 

That's not to say there aren't ways to prevent and treat aging, however. First, it's essential to identify what won't stop aging to take care of your skin. 

It may be that you're wasting time and money on products and techniques that claim to stop aging. Or, you believe in a myth that says drowning yourself with water will reduce wrinkles. 

If you're curious which anti-aging myths you may be buying into, check out these 11 beliefs. 

Drinking water is healthy for your body, but there's no evidence that it prevents aging.

It's true that drinking enough water keeps you hydrated and improves your skin's elasticity. But it won't stop you from aging.

Focus on eating healthy foods and drinking water. Combined, you'll be able to take care of your skin, though you won't be able to slow down the aging process altogether. 

Many beauty brands advertise that you can get the best results by using all their products. There must be specific steps to follow to get the perfect skin! 

Sorry to break it to you; flawless skin doesn't exist. And you sure don't have to invest in an entire skincare brand to slow down aging. 

There's no harm in using the same skincare line. If it's working for your skin, then great! 

Instead of buying the entire line right from the get-go, experiment first. Try one product at a time to discover what works best for your skin type. 

Just because there's a popular beauty treatment everyone is trying doesn't mean you should.

Sometimes trendy beauty products and treatments can do more harm than good. Or, they can create problems for your skin! 

For example, a trendy women's facial razor promises to get rid of your hair once and for all. It may get rid of it all right, but then it grows back thicker and faster! 

You're tempted to try other skin care products, but before doing so, do your homework first. Plus, it also wouldn't hurt to speak with a dermatologist to make sure it won't cause any damage. 

Applying makeup that has SPF in it is imperative. But using it once doesn't substitute applying SPF throughout the day. If you're only going out in the sun for a short period, you should be fine. 

But if you're headed to the beach for an all-day affair, applying your makeup with SPF once isn't going to cut it. 

Your sunscreen, whether it's makeup or not, should have an SPF of 30 or higher. And it would help if you reapply it every couple of hours.

Even though you’re spending an arm and a leg on beauty products, that doesn’t mean they’re better. Many times there are less expensive beauty products that are just as if not more effective! 

When in doubt, check out online reviews or, better yet, talk to an esthetician or dermatologist. 

Another step to take is to read the ingredients on your products to ensure you’re using the right ones. Remember, expensive is not always better!

6. Wrinkles Are the First Sign You’re Aging 

Wrinkles do indeed signify you’re aging, but you’re more likely to see dark spots form first. 

Light from the sun increases the production of melanin, a pigment that gives your skin its color. After a while, these spots appear when your skin has had too much exposure to sunlight. 

Other skin changes you may notice first are fine lines, skin laxity, and discoloration.

Sure, it’s essential to keep your skin clean. But make a point to find products that are gentle on your skin instead of stripping your skin of its natural oils. 

You may think that exfoliating your skin day in and day out is fine and dandy. Some cleansers are beneficial to your skin and will clean it.

But don’t overdo it. Otherwise, you’ll get left with dry and damaged skin. 

The phrase chemical peels may be frightening, but this treatment isn’t as scary as it sounds. 

Many treatments today are gentle. But it would help if you still got treated by an experienced specialist for the best outcome. 

If you find yourself plagued by doubts, speak to the esthetician ahead of time. They’ll be able to answer any questions you may have. 

After getting a chemical peel, your skin should be brighter with fewer age spots. Woohoo! 

Sorry to say it, but a good collagen cream can’t turn back time. 

It can help you take care of your skin, but beyond that, it can’t banish wrinkles once and for all. 

Applying collagen creams can slow down aging moving forward, but they won’t work miracles. It’s vital to cherish your skin by eating the right foods and exercising as well. 

You may feel frustrated that you’re having difficulty finding effective skincare. 

As much as you’d like the “perfect” beauty routine, it doesn’t exist. You can find products that improve your skin, but that doesn’t mean you won’t ever encounter skin issues. 

Do your best to find products that don’t break out your skin. If you have sensitive skin, it may take you a while before finding the right products. 

Treating your skin with items that keep it soft and supple is a good sign that you’re using the right stuff. Even though it’s not always “perfect,” it doesn’t mean it’s not helping your skin! 

Applying vitamin C won’t harm your skin, but there’s no evidence it fights aging. 

A 2017 study revealed that while vitamin C may not help with aging, it can reduce scars and heal wounds. So if you have scars, vitamin C may help with that! 

As you can see, there are all sorts of anti-aging myths you may believe in. There are ways to treat aging, to be sure, but you may not always get the ideal results you’re seeking. 

Maintaining that youthful glow is possible. But it should come from your inner beauty and not just outer beauty. 

Care for yourself and your skin, and no matter your age, you’ll feel beautiful.

Caitlin Sinclair is the Property Manager at Azure (CA) and has five years of experience in property management and many years in Customer Service. She shares her passion for her community in all that she does and thrives at making Azure the place to call home for current and future residents.