The world may be a diverse place and there may be a whole spectrum of opinions on every topic under the sun, but there is certainly one thing we can all agree on. Nobody likes feeling older. And when you feel your face losing its shine or your skin begins to sag, nothing can compare to that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach – that luscious glow is never coming back. But what if there were natural solutions for your keep your skin looking young and vibrant no matter your age? So reconsider that botox appointment and check out these simple practices that can help you keep your skin intact!
1. Stay safe under the sun
It’s certainly OK to get your daily dose of Vitamin D, but too much time spent enjoying a bright and sunny day can affect your skin’s texture in the long run. UV rays emitted by the sun are absorbed by the melanin that protects your skin and it is this absorption that causes a tan. And while a tan may seem harmless, inviting more UV absorption than your skin can handle could easily damage the skin, leading to the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of premature aging. Considering all this, it is ideal to stay indoors during the sun’s peak hours, but if it can’t be avoided, you can protect yourself from damage by applying sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 or wearing protective clothing to cover yourself.
2. Stop worrying!
The more you worry, the more cortisol you release and in doing so you set off a harmful process that could even alter your DNA structure and damage your skin. Now before that leads to you worrying even more and creating a loop of unnecessary stress (!!), take a deep breath and relax. Mastering practices like yoga and meditation can help you regulate your negative thoughts and emotions and develop a calm and composed demeanor. As you begin to relieve yourself of stress, your skin’s unnaturally fast aging process will begin to lose steam and let you flaunt smooth and rejuvenated skin.
3. Sleep like a baby
You can’t have baby-soft skin if you don’t sleep like one! As your body goes into a slumber, the repair process is accelerated and the body begins to restore damaged areas, including the skin. The most crucial restoration processes take place while the person is in deep sleep, so make sure you sleep early and sleep well for at least 6-8 hours every day. You can also accelerate the cell renewal process with natural night treatments and wake up well-rested every day.
4. Stub out the habit!
When you smoke, the nicotine entering your blood stream blocks oxygen from being absorbed by the skin. It won’t be long before the oxygen-starved skin begins to lose its elasticity and starts looking stretched and dull. Stop smoking altogether and even cut down on the drinks if you can help it. Alcohol, too, plays a major role in accelerating the aging process; not only does it dehydrate the skin, but it also affects the levels of vitamin A which is crucial for the production of collagen.
5. Build an arsenal of antioxidants
Antioxidants play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of premature aging, preventing skin damage due to free radicals from your surroundings. Without mitigating the effect of free radicals on the skin, any exercise aimed at fighting the aging process will fall flat on its face. There are a number of dietary sources which help fight internally generated free radicals. Start by including foods like almonds, peanuts, spinach, broccoli, and fruit juices in your diet. Topical solutions include extracts of vitamin C which also encourage collagen production in the skin and encourage rapid repair and renewal.
