Most of us probably feel like we’ve aged at least five years since the beginning of the pandemic last January. And as we begin hitting our second round of lockdowns, working from home, and doing everything virtually, it can be hard not to critique the appearance looking back at you on your video calls. In fact, cosmetic surgery for men alone was up by 375 percent in the last two decades, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. But good news guys! You don’t need to go under the knife to rid yourself of things like age spots, crow’s feet, fine lines, and wrinkles. Our skincare, haircare, and lifestyle tips will help you wipe years off the way you look — so listen up men, this one is for you!

The following skincare tips will have you looking and feeling like you’re years younger than you are. Read ahead for our anti-aging skin hacks!

Using the right facial cleanser is the first step to younger-looking skin, since bar soap tends to be too harsh for the delicate skin on your face. Cleanse your face twice a day: once in the morning and once again at night. Massage a pea-sized amount of a facial cleanser into your face using warm water. Rinse it off and pat dry with a clean towel. Don’t rub, which can be damaging to your skin.

If you aren’t already exfoliating once or twice a week, it’s time to start. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, letting younger, healthier-looking skin shine through. Not to mention, exfoliating is especially ideal when it comes to beard care if you suffer from ingrown hairs.

When it comes to fighting things like facial lines, dull skin, and dark spots, serums are your very best friends. A serum is a combination of active ingredients that typically have a higher concentration than you’d find in a moisturizer. A vitamin C booster helps to combat dullness, uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, and brown spots; and a natural retinol serum will help reduce the appearance of wrinkles by boosting collagen production and increasing cell turnover. Use your serum on clean, damp skin for best results.

photo by @karlibobarley

Dry skin exaggerates the signs of aging. A moisturizer is your first line of defense against dry skin. Apply a moisturizer at least twice a day as the last step in your skincare routine to seal in all of your serums. A light lotion will do during the day, but a richer cream, while you sleep, is best, because that’s when your skin tends to dry out.

The eyes are usually the first place on a man’s face to show the signs of aging. This is because the skin around your eyes is the most delicate on your face. Eye creams help reduce the appearance of crow's feet, puffiness, and dark circles. Look for ingredients that lock in moisture like ceramides, peptides, and hyaluronic acid, which reduces the depth of wrinkles by up to 40 percent.

Not only can UV rays cause wrinkles and skin damage, but they can also lead to serious conditions like melanoma. To keep your skin looking young and healthy, apply sunscreen every morning before you leave home. SPF helps prevent UV damage and pigmentation, slowing the rate of collagen breakdown and staving off facial lines and wrinkles. (Remember to do this even when it’s cloudy and cold.)

Facial hair instantly ages a man. And as you get older, you lose definition in your cheeks and jawline, so keeping your beard groomedwill help you look more youthful. The same goes for your eyebrows, ears, and nose hair, all of which grow faster and thicker once you hit middle age. A beard trimmer, detail set, and beard oil are all you need to keep your facial hair tamed.

photo by @austinrutland

The following haircare tips will have your locks looking and feeling years younger. Read ahead for our anti-aging hair hacks!

A clean scalp is a healthy scalp. And the healthier your scalp is the better (and younger!) your hair will look. A scalp scrub removes buildup from dead cells and leftover products that can make it difficult for your hair to grow and contribute to dryness. Using a scalp scrub also helps to boost circulation, further nourishing your scalp. Use a scalp scrub once a week in place of your regular shampoo.

Moisture is essential for keeping all types of hair looking their best. As you age and the natural oils from your scalp decline, moisturizing your hair becomes even more important. Using a conditioner after you shampoo will help replenish those lost oils and keep your hair looking healthy. Fine or thinner hair still benefits from moisture, but requires a lightweight conditioner that won’t weigh it down.

Gray hairs happen because of the deterioration of minerals in the body as you age. Depending on how much gray hair you have, it may change how you care for your hair. Gray hair is more porous and accumulates outside minerals and pollution more easily. These minerals generally show up as yellow tones in gray hair which can look dull and make your skin look more dull. The best way to combat that and keep your grays looking fresh is to use a shampoo for silver hair. Gray hair also tends to be wire-y, so add a deep conditioning mask for damaged hair and an anti-frizz serum into your product lineup, as well.

photo by @thegarrettswann

Hair naturally thins with age as the life cycle of the hair slows down. The shedding phase gets longer and the growth phase gets shorter which creates overall thinning. To combat this, use a hair growth serum to extend the growing phase and get any shedding under control.

The following lifestyle tips will have you looking and feeling like a younger version of yourself.

Eating a well-balanced diet is extremely important for your overall health and well-being. — not to mention looking and feeling younger! Cut back on salty, fatty, fried, sugary foods and load up on lean proteins, fresh fruits, and veggies. It’s also crucial to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. 

Exercise is crucial for your body’s health. Regular exercise helps reduce belly fat, improves posture, increases metabolism, and even helps to slow down cell aging and reduce stress. In fact, exercise has become an important stress management activity for many during the lockdown. Try to move your body for at least 30 minutes a day, three times per week. This can be anything from walking or running to yoga, spin class, and even a pick-up game of basketball. 

A good night’s sleep plays a key role in maintaining that youthful appearance. Sleep helps the skin regenerate and repair itself in a variety of ways, including by promoting human growth hormone, reducing inflammation, and lowering the body’s cortisol levels. The National Sleep Foundation recommends getting between seven and nine hours a night.

Managing stress is a critical life skill (especially during the coronavirus pandemic). It helps keep you happy and healthy, which in turn keeps you looking younger. There’s no one-size-fits-all advice when it comes to de-stressing. Different things work for different people. Maybe it’s a walk in the park or reading a book for you, or maybe it’s time to try meditation for stress. Whatever method you choose, try to ensure you are doing it on a regular basis and incorporating it into your daily routine!

Excessive alcohol consumption dehydrates your body, dilates the blood vessels in your face, and leads to a poor night’s sleep. It can even make your skin age quicker. There’s nothing wrong with having a cold beer or occasional cocktail, just try to limit yourself to no more than two drinks per day. Also, if you’re a smoker, it’s time to quit. Smoking cigarettes causes lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Not to mention, cigarettes also cause your skin to age prematurely, breaking down the collagen and elastin your skin needs to stay looking its best.

Keep the wisdom of your age and lose the wrinkles. With our anti-aging skin, hair, and lifestyle hacks, you’ll be looking like a younger version of yourself in no time!

by Jaclyn LaBadia, featured contributor

cover photo by @aggyboy