Aging is an inevitable physiological process for humans. Everyone is bound to age through time. Although unavoidable, however, it doesn’t mean that there’s no way for you to slow it down or make it less obvious.

If you are on the hunt for effective tips on how you can make signs of aging slower, here are 7 things you should do.

Sleep is one of the most essential things to slowing down signs of skin aging and getting healthier skin. You need to have at least 6 to 8 hours of good rest at night to help your skin repair and rejuvenate itself. Apart from having ample rest, your sleeping position is crucial to how your skin looks, too.

Frequently sleeping with your face against the pillow can put you at an increased risk of developing “sleep lines”. Over time, these lines can turn into fine lines and wrinkles.

Sleeping in such way is also one of the reasons why you always seem to wake up looking puffy and bloated. The position allows blood and fluid to pool in your face.

Other than wrinkles, pressing your face against your pillow at night can also lead to skin breakouts, especially if you’re not always changing your sheets or linens. Using irritating fabrics is bad for the skin, too.

Frequent replacements and sleeping in a supine position will save you from having to constantly use the best concealer for acne prone skin just to hide your skin’s blemishes.

Moisturizers are great in maintaining your skin’s moisture and hydration level. However, for aging skin, they may not be enough.

Anti-aging serums contain potent ingredients to address your skin’s specific needs, like antioxidants to protect your skin against free radical damages. Some of these serums can also boost collagen production so your skin can regain its elasticity and suppleness.

Serums are best used way before you see signs of skin aging.You don’t have to wait until you are 40 before you start using serums. In fact, the earlier you start, the slower wrinkles and fine lines will appear on your face.

If you haven’t started on one yet, now is probably the right time. Failure to establish an appropriate skin care routine is like neglecting your skin. It can hasten the formation of wrinkles and skin blemishes that even the best foundation for acne prone skin will have a hard time covering.

Start with using a gentle facial wash twice a day to get rid of the day’s dirt and oil. Follow up with a toner to bring back your skin’s natural moisture and to prep your skin for the creams and serums you’ll be applying after.

Exfoliating twice a week can also help you keep younger-looking skin. With exfoliation, you’ll be removing dead skin cells, dirt and other impurities that are making your skin dull. It can also help improve product absorption, too.

You don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money on skin care products. The trick is in finding which products will work best for your skin type.

Aging skin is often accompanied by dryness, flaking, and roughness. These things are commonly caused by the thinning epidermal layer, decreased cellular turnover rate and skin’s diminished capability to retain water. Over time, the skin can lose its suppleness.

Before any of these things happen, be sure to keep yourself hydrated. Although it’s generally recommended that you drink 8 glasses of water per day, you can increase it up to 12 glasses, especially when it’s hot and humid.

You should also keep your water intake in check during the cold season. Because of the temperature, it’s relatively easy to not feel thirsty and lose count of your glasses. Apart from water, it’s also a good idea to drink one glass of milk per day.

This tip can sound like a cliche, but it’s frequently advised for all the good reasons.

For one, eating a balanced diet supplies your body with the vitamins and nutrients it needs to maintain its function. Fruits and vegetables are also loaded with antioxidants that can help slow down skin aging.

Eating junk foods, on the other hand, can accelerate your skin’s (and even your teeth’s) aging process, especially if you indulge on a continuous basis. Foods you should avoid include too much sweets, alcohol, and salty foods.

Stress is often a culprit for dull, tired-looking skin. One way you can beat it is by spending more time outdoors. Being under the early sun can improve your mood and make you feel more energetic throughout the day.

However, before you head out, it’s very important that you use sun protection. Apply your sunscreen before heading out and make sure your sun exposure isn’t between 10 am and 4 pm.

If you aren’t sure about what to do outdoors, try exercising. It can help flush out toxins from your body. Apart from that, it can also improve blood circulation and oxygenation to your cells, including your skin.

Smoking isn’t only detrimental to your health. It can also make you look older than your actual age.

The more cigarettes you smoke and the longer you’ve been smoking, the more obvious nicotine’s effects on your skin will be.

Nicotine is a potent vasoconstrictor which means it has the ability to constrict your blood vessels. The narrower your vessels become, the less blood, oxygen, and nutrients can reach your cells. As your cells become deprived of these things, the more your skin becomes saggy and wrinkly.

Apart from its effect on your blood vessels, there are also other chemicals in cigarettes that can adversely affect your skin’s collagen and elastin production. These two are what make the skin supple and elastic. Pursing your lips every time you smoke can also create lines on your face.

"Hannah Do is the founder of Thank Your Skin, a beauty blog dedicated to providing honest skin care advice and information. She aspires to help her readers achieve their most beautiful skin by sharing personal tips learned through both years of experience and thorough research. Check out her latest article. You can find her on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook"