Anti-aging skin care becomes more urgent after the age of fifty, as we can easily see the aging process in our skin. It’s certainly worth looking into the products that are coming out of ongoing research into anti-aging generally, but with or without external treatments there are 5 simple steps we can take as part of our lifestyle to look younger:
1. Pay attention to diet and what you put into your body, as it will definitely show in your skin. We’ve all heard about the importance of lots of fruits, vegetables and grains, but knowing is not enough—we have to take action. There is different advice out there about just how much fruit, veggies and grains we should consume and I’m not here to declare exact measures. However, if you are not regularly including them in your daily food intake, start now. It’s never too late. If you already do, consider having more. When you are relaxing at night, perhaps reading or watching television, change your snack from chips and other fast foods to healthy fruit. Biting into a crunchy apple is satisfying as well as filling; divide a luscious orange into sections and savour them one by one. I love cereal, and I have it as my late night snack—satisfying, delicious and good for me.
2. As well as food, add vitamins A and E to your routine, both in the food itself and as supplements. Why? These vitamins make your skin look more radiant because they promote new cell growth in the skin. Green and yellow vegetables are good food sources of needed vitamins, but they are probably not enough by themselves. Make sure your multi-vitamin includes A and E, or take them in special supplements by themselves.
3. Follow your own anti-aging skin care routine. Aging skin is quite different from the skin we had even a decade ago, and it may need different treatment. Look for specialized anti aging skin care products, and pay particular attention to why they are good for your skin. (I’ll be passing along the results of my own research and trials of anti aging products as this blog grows.) You want to choose products that provide intensive nourishment to reduce the dryness that comes with age. Wash your face with mild cleansers and when you exfoliate be sure to use gentle products. Retinoids and anti-oxidants are often present in anti-aging creams, as they help regenerate the cells in the skin.
Moisturizing becomes even more important as our skin ages, so use a good quality, rich moisturizer morning and night as part of your routine. Creams that contain retinol and alpha hydroxyl acids are particularly useful.
4. And yes, do protect your skin against the effects of the sun. These effects include not only serious conditions like skin cancer, but also all the signs of aging skin such as wrinkles, age spots, sagging skin and discoloration. These unwelcome results come from the ultraviolet radiation of the sun, so be sure to use quality sunscreen products. That doesn’t just mean buy them—use them every time you go outside!
5. Drink lots of water. Whether you choose bottled water or just plain tap water (if the water in your area is good quality), get lots of it. Why? Because as we get older, the fat layer in our skin starts to shrink, resulting in dryness and those dreaded wrinkles. Replenish the moisture levels from the inside by drinking lots of water. Try adding a glass just before meals (which can have the added benefit of reducing your appetite), and instead of one cup of coffee every day. Instead of a glass of wine, try a glass of sparkling mineral water with ice and a slice of lemon—delicious, and good for you!