As you age, you may notice more and more changes in your body and especially your skin. Wrinkles, blemishes, dark spots… These are all symptoms of skin aging and can cause significant confidence issues if left unchecked.
Don’t lose your faith just yet though! Most of the time, these symptoms can be prevented or lessened through easy lifestyle changes. Your skin will thank you, and you will find yourself feeling the same confidence and youthfulness you once did by simply following the next 9 tips:
Use sun protection whenever possible
While sometimes skin aging is caused purely by genetics, it can also be caused by external factors. UV is one such factor – UV light can cause changes in your DNA, which accelerates skin aging but can also lead to lots of severe damage as well as skin cancer.
It’s best to prevent skin exposure to UV light as much as possible. You can easily do this by wearing sun-protective clothing and accessories or avoiding staying in plain sunlight for too long (especially during those warm summer days!). When you do head outside, make sure to use skin protective creams with an SPF of at least 30. This will prevent your skin from aging faster than it should, keeping you feeling young and healthy.
Use moisturiser
Another great way to prevent aging symptoms like wrinkles and blemishes is moisturising your skin as often as possible. A good moisturiser will help trap water in your skin, making you feel like you’re glowing.
When you buy skincare products, make sure to look for ones that contain collagen and hyaluronic acid. If you’ve heard of these two substances before, it’s because they are the best-known ingredients in preventing wrinkles, fine lines, and other symptoms of aging. No matter if your skin is dry or oily, a moisturiser will definitely go a long way. So, make sure you add it to your skincare routine!
Use gentle skin care products
Whenever you use any sort of scrubs or skin creams, pay attention to how your skin reacts. If you’re left with a sensation of burning or stinging, that’s a red flag and you should avoid it altogether. If you have oily skin, also make sure to avoid products that strip your skin of oils completely – you still need some of them to keep your skin healthy and glowing!
Using the wrong cosmetics can lead to irritated skin, which accelerates aging. Why not go for the gentle skincare products that will keep you feeling young and confident?
Make lifestyle changes
Your skin health and overall health are way more connected than you think. Sometimes, simply making changes in your lifestyle, such as your diet or physical activity levels, can help prevent the early development of skin aging symptoms. Not only that but being more active and eating healthy can totally boost your mood and wellbeing, helping you regain that youthful feeling!
If, for example, your diet is full of sugary and “carby” foods, you may need to reconsider. These foods are proven to accelerate skin aging a lot more than others. Instead, switch them up with fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins, that help boost your immune system. This, in turn, will boost skin health and keep it looking smooth and amazing.
Exercise is also a great way to ensure that you are keeping your body in shape and releasing those mood-boosting endorphins. Exercise also stimulates blood circulation in the body including in your skin, which in turn will make it keep a youthful, vibrant feel. It’s a win-win situation, isn’t it?
Stay hydrated
It goes without saying but keeping your skin healthy and hydrated requires individuals to drink lots of liquids daily. This can mean water, but also non-sweetened teas and fruit juices. You can drink coffee and sugary drinks as well, but in moderation – too much of those can actually have the opposite effect and dehydrate your skin.
Avoid alcohol and cigarettes
Alcohol drinking and smoking are also known to cause premature damage to your skin. Alcohol dehydrates you very quickly, while smoking can give your skin wrinkles and a dull complexion. Alcohol and cigarettes also cause lots of long-lasting effects on your body and mental health, so why not try to avoid them as much as possible?
Cleanse your face often
Don’t underestimate the power a simple cleanse can have in boosting your skin’s health and keeping it glowing for a long time. Your skincare routine doesn’t need to be more complicated than this if you don’t want to, but cleansing should absolutely be a part of your daily care routine.
By cleansing your face, you will make sure that all the dirt, leftover make-up and other substances that may irritate the skin and cause long lasting effects are removed, leaving your skin feeling smooth and healthy. Also be sure to cleanse well especially after sweating a lot (for example after doing physical exercise or spending a few hours in the sun).
Try to use a cleanser with neutral pH for this, and then rinse using lukewarm water. Avoid hot water as much as possible, as it can strip the skin of beneficial oils and irritate it.
Get medical treatments
If your skin is already showing signs of aging, this may also be due to genetics which are harder to influence. This can lead to a lot of discomfort as your confidence lowers, affecting your mental health.
Luckily, every day more and more less-invasive treatments and medical procedures are becoming available, allowing you to turn back the clock a little bit and achieve the younger-looking skin you want. Treatments like botox or fillers are known to smooth out wrinkles and tighten the skin, which can help you regain your self-confidence. You can also choose to undergo non-invasive laser treatments. These promote the production of collagen in your skin, which in turn is keeping it tight and smooth.
Manage stress
Stress and anxiety can lead to lots of mental health issues, but what many people don’t realise is that they can have a massive effect on your physical health as well. Stress has, in fact, been shown to cause a poorer skin health, which accelerates aging symptoms such as wrinkles, dark spots, blemishes and loosened skin. It’s very important to keep your stress in check, so that you can maintain your overall wellbeing and keep living life to the fullest.
Make sure to take a day off whenever you feel overwhelmed, and just engage with activities you find relaxing whether it’s taking a stroll through the park or reading a book, cosied up in a blanket at home. Meditation is also a great way to decrease your heart rate and stress levels, improving overall physical and mental health along the way. Your skin will definitely thank you, and will look more youthful and vibrant than ever.
