Aging is under the control of genetic repair mechanics and can be affected by lifestyle influences. Measures to protect our skin will keep it from aging more than it needs to.
Do you wish your skin looked younger? Are you tired of those lines on your face? Or, are you petrified to age by even a day?
Well, news flash! Depending on your eating habits and skin care regiment and several other factors, aging can change skin’s appearance as early as your 30th birthday or by later in midlife.
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Unfortunately, you can’t control certain factors such as decreasing estrogen levels, which can lead to sagging skin or genetics that give you particular bone structure. But there are also plenty of external influences that age your skin and you can certainly correct these issues.
Here are 10 anti-aging tricks to help your skin stay looking young:
1. Control Your Exposure to the Sun
If you’ve heard a version of this one before, it’s because dermatologists agree that UV exposure is the number one factor that will damage and age your skin. The sun’s UV rays damage elastin and cause a loss of collagen, which translates to skin drooping, a lost jawline, and wrinkled skin.
The sun can also add discoloration and rough texture to the affected skin. Worst of all, these UV rays are the main cause of skin cancer, an aging risk that goes far beyond the cosmetic.
2. Fix Your Diet
You might expect a dermatologist to emphasize only skin-care products and techniques, but Madfes says that younger skin starts with the nutrients that reach it from inside the body. The skin is the body’s largest organ, after all.
So diet directly affects how you visibly age. It is highly recommended that you stay away from sugary, fried, and greasy foods that negatively affect your skin. Focus on eating fruits, vegetables, and proteins!
3. Use a Retinoid
Yes, there’s a vast medicine cabinet full of anti-aging “cosmeceutical” products out there. But the very best kind of topical cream to repair the aging process, Madfes says, is a retinoid. Retinoids are vitamin derived compounds that have been shown to boost collagen production and cell turnover, as well as to unclog pores and stimulate blood vessels in the area. These things will give you a lighter, brighter, and far clearer skin. Similarly, you’ll find that your skin feels and appears smoother, which is precisely what you want in an anti-aging compound.
Retinoids have been around since the 1970s, so they’ve been around to prove that they’re here to stay! Depending on the formulation, users typically see results within a month or two, so get started soon!
4. Establish Morning and Evening Routines
“Skin care doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require the right basics,” Madfes says. By day, that mostly means adding UV protection, but night care is equally important. “Your skin is amazing in how it can be exposed to so much all day and still regenerate,” Madfes says. “But as you get older you need to help it do that.” So get started with picking out your sunscreen and regenerative creams. Don’t waste a minute more!
5. Choose Regenerative Cosmetics
Several skin products and procedures are available over the counter or from specialists such as spas or dermatologists can give more than the illusion of youth, they can actually help regenerate cells! The regeneration of these cells will bring your skin back to its former youthful appearance.
Similarly, if you trying to prevent aging, these products and procedures can slow down the aging process! While they can’t turn the clock back forever, these choices may slow the rate of changes that cause deep wrinkles and a dull texture.
6. Choose a Gentle Face Wash
Many products on the market today are rough on your skin, dry out your face, and leave you with a dull complexion. But when you cleanse your skin, you should be using a gentle touch and formula. “Skin tends to get less oily and more sensitive,” Dr. Wu says. “So even if you still get adult acne breakouts, you may want to use a more gentle face wash instead of a drying acne wash.”
Try MD Complete Anti-Aging Restoring Cleanser & Makeup Remover, this is a mild face wash that uses essential fatty acids to deliver major hydration and green tea to fight against damage from free radicals — compounds that attack cells. Similarly, be sure to use a light hand, cleansing in gentle, circular motions. Aggressive scrubbing could irritate already sensitive skin and accelerate aging, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
7. Use a Richer Face Cream
Moisturizing has always been an essential step in any beauty regiment, however, because oil glands can become less active as you age, the AAD recommends moisturizing properly to minimize fine lines and wrinkles.
Simply switching your normal face cream for a richer one can help trap water against the skin, which will work to pump up any of those deep crevices on your face. As an added bonus, you can smooth the formula down to your neck and upper torso to treat those areas as well!
8. Consider Adding Supplements
Rather than topically moisturizing your skin, you may be able to moisturize through consumption! Adding supplements to your diet may drastically affect your skin’s appearance and texture. I know what you’re thinking: can a pill really restore dewiness in aging skin? Perhaps.
Omega-3s found in certain seafood, like salmon, can help keep skin moist and may even delay its maturing process by preventing wrinkles.
If you don’t eat fish or fish products, Wu suggests trying fish oil or flaxseed oil supplements. “It’ll help keep your skin supple by replenishing your skin’s own lipids [or oils], which diminish with time. It’s also anti-inflammatory if you suffer from adult acne.”
As with any supplement, make sure you check with your doctor before using.
9. Exfoliate Weekly
Our skin sheds dead cells regularly, creating a new layer every 28 days. However, this process can slow over time, leading to a dull-looking complexion and rough patches. To help remove that buildup, exfoliate weekly for brighter skin. Regularly exfoliating your skin is one of the most beneficial things you could do for it, especially when it comes to fighting wrinkles.
“Use a scrub with round particles so it’s less irritating,” Wu recommends. But avoid products made with plastic microbeads, which pollute the environment and, when released into waterways, can become ingested by marine organisms.
10. Wear less makeup
Makeup is a very well-known cause of clogged pores and aging skin. While we ladies are very used to piling on the makeup, it’s essential that, especially as we get older, this subsides. Wearing heavy amounts of makeup doesn’t allow your skin to breathe and can absolutely cause the skin to age more quickly.
According to New York dermatologist Francesca Fusco, it’s important to first identify Foundation’s actual purpose. “Foundation is covering up flaws, and it’s giving you an even tone,” she says. So how do you accomplish that cosmetic magic with skin care alone? A careful six-week regimen, packed with the right powerhouse products, can utterly transform your skin—and, according to Fusco, is more attainable than you might think. “It’s definitely achievable for everyone!” she says.“Aging gracefully is supposed to mean trying not to hide time passing and just looking a wreck. Don’t worry girls, look like a wreck, that’s the way it goes.”
– Jeanne Moreau
Conclusion
Aging gracefully is the goal of ladies and gentlemen everywhere. While it is widely understood that remaining wrinkle-free isn’t an option, we’d still like to look healthy and remain as youthful as possible for as long as possible. As professionals tell us, the key to a beautiful complexion is day care and smart prevention.
The formula for youthful-looking skin could be as close as your nightstand or medicine cabinet. That’s because using the right skin-care products can make a big difference in your complexion and help avoid signs of aging, like wrinkles. So it’s imperative that you begin looking into and working toward preserving youthful skin now. Get out there and try out these simple tricks!