Our skin ages for a variety of reasons. Some things we can do little about, while others we may influence. The natural aging process is one thing that we cannot change. It has an important role to play. We all acquire visible wrinkles on our faces as time passes. It’s normal for our faces to lose some of their youthful roundness over
We can also affect another form of aging that affects our skin. Our surroundings and lifestyle choices may prematurely age our skin. Extrinsic aging is a medical phrase for this sort of decay. We may prevent the consequences of this type of aging on our skin by taking certain precautions.
11 WAYS TO REDUCE PREMATURE SKIN AGING
1. Eat a healthy diet with lots of vegetables and fruits
A study by the National Institute of Health found that women who eat more vegetables and fruit have skin that is less likely to wrinkle as they age. Foods rich in antioxidants help protect skin from environmental damage such as sun exposure, cigarette smoke, pollutants, and chemicals.
2. Wear sunscreen and stay out of the sun
The most important thing you can do to prevent prematurely aging skin is wearing sunscreen with a minimum SPF 15 and avoiding long-term sun exposure as much as possible.
Sun damage causes free radical damage, which speeds up the aging process. Be sure to wear sunscreen on your face, neck, décolletage, hands and ears.
3. Quit smoking
Smoking causes many skin problems including wrinkles, discolouration of the skin and premature aging. Smoke reduces the oxygen supply to cells, which breaks down collagen and elastin in the skin resulting in wrinkles. Smoking decreases blood flow to your face by narrowing the blood vessels.
5. Protect your hands from harsh weather conditions and chemicals
Harsh weather conditions such as cold winters, strong winds, extreme heat or sun exposure can result in dry cracked hands. You should wear gloves when you go outdoors during the winter and protect your hands when using harsh chemicals at home.
6. Wear sunglasses when you’re outside for long periods of time
Your eyes’ skin around your eyes is very delicate and can be damaged by the sun. You should protect your eyes from direct exposure to the sun with quality sunglasses that offer 100% UVA and UVB protection. Your optometrist can supply you with sunglasses that suit your face shape.
7. Use a humidifier at home or in the office to prevent dry skin
Dry air can cause your skin to become flaky, itchy and crack easily, so be sure to have a humidifier on hand at home or work during winter months. If you don’t have a humidifier, be sure to drink plenty of fluids.
8. Use a humid cloth over your eyes each morning before applying makeup
This will help hydrate the skin around your eyes and soften it for easier makeup removal at night. You can also use moisturizer around the eyes to prevent fine lines from developing. For best results, choose an eye cream that is designed to treat signs of aging, such as crow’s feet, dark circles under the eyes and fine lines.
9. Use a retinol or glycolic serum once or twice a week at night
Retinols are naturally occurring substances derived from Vitamin A that help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while increasing collagen production.
Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid that exfoliates dead skin cells, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Both ingredients work well to reduce the signs of premature aging if used regularly.
10. Apply glycolic or salicylic cleanser once or twice a week
These are great for treating acne and removing dead skin cells, which help rejuvenate the skin. Follow with a glycolic serum to remove the excess dryness from your face.
11. Invest in a facial at least once a month
Facials are an excellent way of preventing premature aging as they exfoliate away dead skin cells and deep cleanse pores, removing toxins and dirt that can clog pores. Facials will leave your skin feeling rejuvenated, smooth and soft.