While we can all agree that what is on the inside is more important than what is on the outside, it would be downright disingenuous to say that looking good is not as necessary. Beauty products work wonders but are no substitute for blemish-free, firm and supple skin.
One of the ways to keep your skin perpetually healthy and glowing is to incorporate anti-ageing routines in your overall skincare regimen. If you want to look like you hold the secret ingredients to the elixir of youth, here are some tips that should do the magic
A. Start early: in the not-so-distant past, talks about anti-ageing procedures or products were restricted to people in middle age.
Not anymore.
Enough examples abound of women, and men, who look like they have not aged a day since forever simply because they started their anti-ageing regimen as early as their 20s. Do not wait for the wrinkles to make an appearance before you start shopping for retinoids or vitamin c and collagen-firming serums. Actually, at this time, it may be much harder to slow down the signs of ageing.
However, if you are already in your 30s, 40s or even 50s, it is not too late to start. As they say, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago and the next best time is now.
B. Do not ignore sunscreen: why does everyone swear by sunscreens? Well, the sun emits UV rays that not only cause the collagen in our skin to collapse, leading to wrinkles, but are also believed to be responsible for most skin cancers. Sunscreens contain minerals such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that reflect UV rays, as well as organic chemicals such as avobenzone or oxybenzone that react with radiation before it penetrates the skin, absorbing the rays and releasing the energy as heat.
Do you still need another reason on why you should invest in a good tube or bottle of sunscreen? We did not think so too.
C…Nor antioxidants: unless you are going to be constantly swimming in a sea of sunscreen, some of the sun rays will still come through. But even if they didn’t, there are so many other molecules in the air, ready to wreak havoc on your skin by weakening its elasticity.
The key to keeping them at bay? Antioxidants like vitamin A (retinol), C and E. All three would smooth, moisturize and brighten your skin, in that order, leaving your body’s largest organ firm and fresh.
D. Consider anti-ageing mini treatments: like botox, resurfacing lasers and microneedling.
Of course, stories and images of beauty treatments and procedures that have turned faces into frozen zombies are not rare. But the truth is that when done right – which includes starting early – they work well with your skincare regimen to drastically slow down the skin’s ageing process.
E. Traditional beauty advice works well too: the last time we checked, water is still good, not just for the body, but for the skin as well. As we age, our body loses its ability to retain moisture, making wrinkles and dry skin more noticeable. Taking in enough water will make up for lost moisture and leave the skin looking firmer and much younger.
Sleeping properly will not only help improve your mental health but will also allow your body carry out repairs to damage it suffered during the day. Eating the right foods and exercising will keep you healthy both physically and mentally. Together, they all contribute to making your skin firmer and keeping you mentally alert for longer.
F. Be consistent: that’s the only way to get the results you desire.