Skin Care Secrets You Need to Know

Many factors contribute to changes in our skin as we age; some changes we can influence while others are wired into our DNA.

There is a natural aging process that is inherent with time - we all get lines on our face, skin becomes thinner and drier and we lose some of the fullness in our cheeks.  Our genetic make-up decides much of how fast and noticeable these changes are and the speed with which this happens will be unique for each person. The scientific term for this type of aging is “intrinsic aging.”

Having said that, we must be mindful that there are elements of our skin’s changes that we can control and this is known as “extrinsic aging”.  This describes skin ageing that can be controlled by controlling the environmental factors we allow our skin to be exposed to, lifestyle choices we make, and even foods we eat.  By taking some preventive actions, we can minimize extrinsic ageing and keep our skin looking its very best.

What We Can Do To Reduce Extrinsic Skin Aging

1. Make sure you use sunscreen every single day!Even just dashing around running errands, your skin gets exposed to the sun.  Make sure you wear lightweight long-sleeved shirt and pants, a hat that provides real shade to your face, sunglasses with UV protection and use SPF30 or higher on any skin that is hit by the sun.  Don’t forget that you have to re-apply sunscreen every 2 hours as sweat and elements will diminish its efficacy.  Regular sunscreen use will also help to lessen any hyperpigmentation you see on your face.
2. If you can’t do without looking tanned, use self-tanners instead.It’s better to work to love your un-tanned skin, but if you need to be bronzed, use a high-quality self-tanner rather than a tanning bed or lying in the sun.  your skin will hold its integrity better over the long run.
3. Quit smoking.Smoking causes oxidative stress to the skin and greatly speeds up how quickly skin ages. Oxidative stress causes cell and tissue damage that affects organs including skin. It causes a decline in skin integrity resulting in wrinkles as well as a dull and sallow complexion.
4. Become aware of repetitive facial expressions.We all have facial expressions that we do over and over without even knowing it.  When we make the same expression repeatedly, we contract the same underlying muscles over and over every day without end. Doing this over many years causes these lines to become permanent. Try wearing sunglasses to reduce squinting (and protect your eyes) and become aware of your habitual expression and try to relax those muscles.  Sometimes we habitually purse our lips or frown or even hold up our eyebrows.  Once we notice this, we can try to reduce the repetition of these expressions.
5. Eat more antioxidants through a healthy diet.Plenty of fresh fruits, fish and vegetables can increase the anti-oxidants in our system and reduce oxidative stress.  This can lower oxidative stress to the skin and reduce premature skin aging. Watching our diet can also help us to reduce our consumption of sugar which has also found to increase oxidative stress and accelerate aging.
6. Booze is bad for our skin.Alcohol dehydrates the body and that includes our skin.  When we drink too much we always feel dried out, suffer from headaches and our body feels generally terrible.  Our skin also suffers from dehydration and this accentuates wrinkle depth and makes our skin look drawn and gaunt.
7. Exercise is good for skin.When we get regular, moderate exercise it improves blood flow and brings greater levels of nutrients to all tissues in the body including the skin.  Stronger blood and nutrient flow allows our skin to be as healthy as possible and look its best.
8. Be gentle to your skin.Don’t scrub your face and don’t use skin products that sting or cause irritation.  Irritating your skin accelerates skin aging. Gentle washing helps to remove pollution, makeup, and other substances without irritating your skin.  Also wash your skin a couple of times each day if you perspire a lot.  Salty sweat can irritate your skin and also dehydrate your skin which doesn’t help the way it looks.  Make sure that you use a moisturizer that is designed for your skin type.  It doesn’t have to be expensive, just well chosen,
9. Choose anti-ageing skin care products carefully. Shopping for an anti-aging skin care product can be intimidating. It’s difficult to decide which ones are best for you and which ones will actually bring some benefit.  An anti-aging moisturizer helps to minimize fine lines. Try topical Vitamin C serum – studies have shown that vitamin C serum helps slow early skin aging, prevent sun damage, and improve the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, and acne. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, meaning it fights harmful free radicals (toxins) that come in contact with your skin from external sources like air pollution, or from inside the body as a result of normal processes like your metabolism.  Choose products designed for your skin type – for example, if your skin is oily, select a moisturizer made for oily skin. If you have sensitive skin, choose scent-free, hypoallergenic products that specify that they are for sensitive skin.
10. High-quality marine collagen supplement – Marine collagen supplements help to build the integrity of the skin’s dermal layer. They help to improve the skin’s cell integrity and also improves blood flow for better hydration and nutrient delivery. All these things improve skin cell health and theappearance of skin.

Finally – always remember:

Have realistic expectations. Exaggerated promises, such as look 10 years younger overnight or quickly reduces all signs of aging, are too good to be true. It’s important to remember that anti-aging skin care products deliver modest results. You cannot get the results of a facelift from a cream.

Never too late to benefit - Even people who already have signs of premature skin aging can benefit from making lifestyle changes. By protecting your skin from the sun, you give it a chance to repair some of the damage. Smokers who stop often notice that their skin looks healthier