Five Ways To Protect Ageing Skin
Unfortunately the natural ageing process is something that we all have to go through, and for some the appearance of those first fine lines and wrinkles can be an upsetting time. But much of what we think of as ‘natural ageing’, is actually premature ageing which has been exacerbated by environmental factors. This type of ageing is called ‘extrinsic ageing’ and a lot of this is actually preventable, simply by making a few changes to your current lifestyle. It’s not possible (yet!) to completely ward off the signs of ageing, but by following these five simple tips you can improve the appearance of your skin, and delay the signs of ageing for another few years.
Wear Sunscreen
Even if you don’t manage to do anything else when it comes to anti-ageing, you should at least try to wear sun protection every day. Exposure to the sun, without the proper protection, is the number one cause of premature ageing. When UV rays penetrate the skin they damage elastin fibres, which keep the skin firm and provide it with spring. The amount of wrinkles a person develops largely depends on their lifetime sun exposure, and spending too much time in the sun can also lead to age spots, rough skin texture, spider veins and freckles. Luckily a lot of this damage is preventable. Try to limit your time in the sun and make sure you wear sun protection every day, even when it’s cloudy and you’re not spending a lot of time outdoors. Many moisturisers now come with sun protection, so it’s an easy step to add into your routine. Try our Aqua Physics Defence Cream, which contains a mineral UV filter to protect the skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays.
Eat A Healthy Diet
The old saying ‘you are what you eat’ is true, and there are many factors in our diet which can affect the appearance of our skin. Sugar is one of the worst ageing food we eat, and it weakens the immune system as well. When we have sugar molecules in our system they attach onto fats and proteins in a process called glycation, and cause proteins fibres to become stiff and malformed. Unfortunately the proteins must susceptible to this are the ones responsible for keeping skin smooth and supple, collagen and elastin. When sugars attach to these proteins they become discoloured, weak and less supple, which shows up on the skin’s surface as wrinkles. If you’re finding it hard to ditch the sweet stuff, then make it a gradual process instead, when you’d usually reach for a chocolate bar or sugary snack try some tropical fruit instead – it’ll still be sweet enough to pacify your craving but you’ll still get a hit of vitamins.
Up Your Antioxidants
Antioxidants are an all-round wonder ingredient when it comes to protecting ageing skin. Antioxidants come from a range of sources including vitamins, mineral and protein enzymes and they protect your skin against the harmful effect of free radicals. Free radicals start a process of oxidization, which damage skin cells and accelerates the normal ageing process of the skin. Antioxidants also draw in moisture to plump up the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines, and they encourage new cell production.
Supplement Your Beauty Routine
Glutathione is the body’s most potent antioxidant, which supports our natural repair systems and helps keep ageing at bay. Unfortunately our levels of glutathione start to decrease from age 25 onwards, so try taking a supplement like our Radiant Skin Beauty Dose, to give your beauty routine a boost. Our Radiant Skin Beauty Dose is proven to stimulate the body’s own repair mechanisms and stimulate glutathione levels. Plus it protects from environmental damage and contains vitamins A, E and C to maintain the health and vitality of skin.
Stay Hydrated
When skin is dehydrated fine lines become more prominent and skin texture often feels rough, so it’s important to make sure that you drink plenty of water through out the day. Green tea is another excellent re-hydrated option, as it’s packed full of antioxidants which keep the skin looking healthy. However it’s also important to add moisture to your skin, particularly as we age and skin naturally becomes drier. Look for products which contain hyaluronic acid, like our Nocturnal Eclipse Recovery Cream, which will boost moisture levels in your skin. Hyaluronic acid is a powerful water soluble compound which is found naturally in the body, and capture and retains moisture in the dermis.