Five Anti-Ageing Secrets You Can Try Right Now

No doubt many of us want to stay looking young for as long as possible, but the natural ageing process soon catches up with us, giving away our real age or perhaps making us look even older than we actually are. As we age the skin goes through many changes. Collagen and elastin, which are responsible for keeping the skin plump and smooth, begin to decrease and break down, making skin more prone to wrinkles, fine lines and sagging. A good skincare routine of quality products which address your skin concerns can go a long way at delaying the signs of ageing, but there are also simple habits which you can add your everyday routine which will help your skin stay looking firmer, smoother and younger for longer. Here are five anti-ageing beauty tips you can try right now, which are really easy to incorporate in your lifestyle.

1. Drink More Water
Your skin is made up of 70% water, 20-30% of which is held in the epidermis, and functions as protective barrier to keep dirt and germs out, and moisture in. When your skin doesn’t get enough water it becomes dehydrated, and can feel tight, dry and flaky. Dry skin has less resilience and is more prone to wrinkling, plus existing wrinkles look deeper and more pronounced. If you don’t like the taste of plain water then try adding slices of fruit like strawberries, lemon or lime to give it some flavour. Cucumber also works well as taste-enhancer, or you could try green tea which is very hydrating and packed with skin-nourishing antioxidants.

2. Use An Eye Cream
You may already be using a specific anti-ageing moisturiser but it’s important that you also use an eye cream. Although using a moisturiser is better than nothing at all, the skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate the rest of your face. This means the area is also more prone to damage, and rubbing or tugging the skin around your eyes could further exacerbate common problems like wrinkles and puffiness. Eye creams tend to be thinner and lighter than face creams, which makes them easier to apply, and they are also usually formulated with special ingredients to target specific under-eye problems. Our Space Defence Bright Eye Lift Gel has an instant cooling effect and is formulated with caffeine which helps to refresh the eyes and reduce puffiness.

3. Get Your Beauty Sleep
Many of us lead fast-paced hectic lives, and probably don’t get enough sleep everyday but this is really bad news for your skin. A lack of sleep causes blood vessels to dilate which leads to dark circles, and rubbing your eyes when tired only makes this worse. Not enough sleep also makes you feel more stressed angry, tired, sad and older. A good night’s sleep is vital for healthy skin, while you’re snoozing your skin goes it repair mode, and new skin cells grow to replace older ones. Seven to nine hours is the ideal amount of sleep, but if you’re struggling to drop off make sure you set aside time to relax in the evening and try to avoid electronic device for at least 45 minutes before bed. You could try reading a book, taking a warm shower or doing a short yoga sequence. Unfortunately you can’t bank sleep so don’t try to make up for lost hours by sleeping in til noon at the weekend. Oversleeping actually encourages skin cell breakdown.

4. Ditch The Sugary Drinks
A new study had found that regularly drinking two cans of sugary drink a day may accelerate ageing. Scientists found that those who regularly drunk fizzy drinks had shorter telomeres – tiny structures at the ends of DNA which protect them from damage. As we age telomeres get shorter naturally, but the study shows that drinking high sugar drinks could speed the process up and put you more at risk of health problems. Plus eating a high sugar diet can damage collagen fibres, which are responsible for keeping skin plump and smooth. When you eat sugary foods it causes a spike in insulin levels which leads to inflammation throughout the body. This produces enzymes that break down collagen and elastin, which can lead to sagging skin and wrinkles. Digested sugar permanently attaches to the collagen in your skin through a process known as glycation, which can inflame skin condition like acne or rosacea. Instead of eating high sugar item, opt for complex carbohydrates like brown rice and vegetables which are broken down at a much slower rate.

5. Exercise
We all know that exercise is great for the body and at helping keep our weight at a healthy level, but did you know it’s also great for the skin too. A recent study presented at the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine annual meeting, found working out roughly three times a week has been shown to be a protector of youth, as it changes the body and reverses 'skin age'. Exercise also increases blood flow which helps nourish skin cells and keep them vital, and carriers away waste products, including free radicals, from working cells. Find an exercise you enjoy doing or join a fun exercise class, then it won’t feel like such a chore. Whether it’s running, boxing, swimming, yoga or walking, any activity which gets you moving is great