Ask any woman hitting her late thirties. Chances are high that skin concerns are heavy on her mind. As a person ages, the care one has or has not given to one’s skin over the years begins to show.
If you are at that age where fine lines around the eyes appear when you smile. Or if your skin has lost some of its luster, you may be looking for a skin care regime that will allow you to keep a youthful glow. It is possible. Here’s how.
1. Read labels.
Are you the kind of person who skips reading the Terms and License agreement with each iOS update? Does that extend to bypassing the ingredient listing on the skincare you purchase? You could be shooting yourself in the foot. Knowing what you put on your skin is as important as understanding what you are putting into your body. Choosing the right products starts from finding a line that is free of phthalates, mineral oils, parabens, etc.
2. Sleep is the great beautifier.
Missed getting your 8 hours of sleep in last night? That lack of sleep will likely show on your face in puffy eyes and dull skin. Or maybe you went to sleep past midnight and then you slept in, but your skin still looks a bit dull? It’s not only important to get enough hours in, the timing matters, too. Hours spent in sleep before midnight are typically non-REM sleep. This kind of sleep allows the body to do its regenerative work. Which includes repair of skin cells. Improve your sleep schedule and find ways to get in your hours and go to bed well before midnight. Focusing on better sleep habits will work wonders toward your skin looking fresh and glowy when you wake up the next morning.
3. Eat your way to healthier skin.
Earlier we discussed how what you put on your skin matters as much as what you take in–i.e., one’s diet. Eating foods that make your body go into inflammation mode will affect the look of your skin. You not only want skin care products that are anti-inflammatory, you want to eat foods that prevent inflammation as well. Steer clear of foods that contain refined carbs. Want an easy rule of thumb? 70 percent of your grocery shopping should come from the fruit and vegetables aisle.
Foods rich in nutrition can help revive your skin. Vitamin C-rich foods help to repair skin damage and should be your go-to if you feel your skin needs a tune up. Stock up on spinach, citrus fruits, cauliflower, and broccoli for foods with high vitamin C content. Fatty fish and other sources of Omega-3 acids help reduce inflammation, which can show up on the skin as redness or acne. Avocados are a fantastic source of healthy fats that improve your skin’s moisture levels and flexibility.
4. Sun damage is real.
It could be rebelliousness. Perhaps as a girl your mother nagged you too much about wearing sunscreen. Or maybe it’s simple laziness in not wanting to take that extra 3 minutes to pat on sunscreen. Whatever the reason you have for not wearing sunscreen, those lines and sunspots on your face and hands are the result. Nothing ages one’s skin faster than being out without sun protection. This is one of the reasons mothers nag us about wearing sunscreen. They have experienced it for themselves and are trying to save us from experiencing the same. Listen or not, we’ve been warned.
5. Practice moderation.
Have you ever woken up after an all-nighter and your mouth was cotton-ball dry? Welcome to the morning-after effects of an all-night binge. Unfortunately, the effects aren’t limited to a parched mouth. Drinking too much increases the work your liver must perform to filter out the toxins from your blood. Your liver requires water to perform its function and pulls hydration from your body to do its thing. You might feel the effects of this dehydration in your mouth. But everyone else will see the effects on your face, through your dull and sagging skin that has lost its firmness due to dehydration. This is not to mention all the other ill effects of over-drinking. But if you want to have skin that looks perky, skip the booze–it won’t help.
Instituting these tips won’t take more time out of your day. All it requires is awareness of the role your behaviors influence your skin’s health.
