7 Anti-Aging Habits For Healthy Skin

10 Anti-Aging Habits For Healthy Skin

You can have a good skincare regime which of course it's VERY important, but there are also many factors that play a role in the health of your body and skin that you may or may not be aware of. So, here is my list of dos and don'ts if you want to look younger and prevent premature aging:

   1. Always apply sunscreen.

I cannot stress this enough. Use sunscreen all year round (with an SPF of 15 in the winter and 30-50 in the summertime) to protect your skin from sun damage and prevent: wrinkles, rough patches, sagging, and hyperpigmentation. Sunscreen also protects against skin cancer and effectively decreases skin aging when applied regularly over a long period of time.

TIP: Do not rely on makeup for sun protection! Many makeup products have SPF but they do not offer enough protection.

   

2. Drink plenty of water.

Hydration, hydration, hydration. It is recommended that you drink 8 glasses of water a day. Without water, your skin can’t function at its best. Drink more water and tea and try to eliminate as much as you can coffee and sodas. Staying hydrated keeps the skin looking young and glowing.

   3. Get enough sleep.

Sleep is one of the things that maybe we neglect the most and don't understand the crucial role it plays in our overall health. You might have noticed how your skin might look after a night that you haven't got much sleep. The dark circles look more prominent, complexion looks dull and lifeless. Your body (and skin) repairs itself and recovers while you sleep. Getting 7-8 hours of sleep a night is ideal and also try to go to bed early.

   4. Healthy diet (low sugar).

If you're not eating correctly no matter what products you're applying topically, your skin and hair will show it. Try to reduce your sugar intake. When you're craving sweets reach out for some fruit instead. Incorporate more veggies into your diet and try to eat more healthy fats (olive oil, avocados and nuts) and lean protein (fish, yogurt, beans, and eggs).
Avoid fad diets, they don’t provide the nutrition necessary to keep your skin looking young.

   5. Exercise.

Whether you prefer running, hitting the gym or doing yoga, exercising your body has shown to be a protector of youth. It increases blood flow which helps nourish skin cells by carrying oxygen and nutrients to working cells throughout the body. Exercise has also been shown to reduce stress levels. We know that stress in one of the biggest culprits to worsen our health.

TIP: If you exercise outdoors, remember to wear sunscreen and reapply every 2 hours!

   6. Manage your stress.

As I mentioned above stress can have a negative impact on your health and skin. When you're worried or anxious all the time, your body is producing Cortisol, which breaks down collagen and causes wrinkles and sagging skin. However, we all have things that help us relax and make us feel better whether it is hanging out with a friend, going for a walk, doing yoga or watching movies. Find out what it is for you and do it regularly.
(I also mentioned exercising above.)

   7. Do not take long hot showers.

Who doesn't feel great after taking a long hot shower? But, the truth is that heat is not good for our skin because it dries it out and damages the protective barrier. This leads to skin inflammation and faster aging. So, keep your showers short and the water warm. Do not forget to moisturize your skin after getting out of the shower. You'd want to restore hydration as fast as possible.

Do you have any tips on how you maintain your skin looking young? Share them in the comments below :)