The skin, being the body’s largest organ, takes abuse daily from so many things: dust, pollution, ultraviolet rays. It’s no wonder then that it becomes prone to wrinkles, discoloration, dryness — in other words, things that make us look older than we are. The good news is that there are easy and practical anti aging skin care steps you can take to treat the problem, and start looking more youthful again.
Embrace Healthy Lifestyle Habits
This is a no-brainer, it shouldn’t even have to be mentioned. It’s strange, though, how so many people neglect good nutrition, don’t get sufficient sleep, smoke and drink, and spend hours in the sun, and then wonder why their skin has stopped looking young and fresh.
For effective anti aging skin care, remember to:
- get adequate amounts of sleep
- eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and foods rich in fatty acids (like oily fish)
- drink lots of water
- avoid excessive exposure to the sun
- avoid alcohol and smoking
- learn and practice stress-relief techniques such as yoga
Use Mother Nature’s Gifts
There are many natural substances that have been used throughout the ages for their skin healing and rejuvenation properties. Among them are manuka money (very powerful for healings wounds), shea butter (a natural moisturizer), and alpha-tocopherol, or natural vitamin E (an antioxidant that reverses the effect of aging on your skin).
On the other hand, keep away from skin care products containing ingredients that harm your skin. Many of the most popular anti aging creams and lotions contain at least one of the following substances.
- Parabens. These are preservatives that have been linked to health problems like tumors and hormonal abnormalities.
- Mineral oil. Derived from petrolatum, it can clog your pores and cause skin outbreaks.
- Certain alcohols (like ethanol, methanol, and benzyl alcohol). They strip away your skin’s natural oils and make you more prone to molds and bacteria.
- 1,4-Dioxane. Health experts are concerned about the possible associations between this chemical and medical conditions such as kidney and lung disease, as well as cancer. This substance is easily absorbed by your pores, so beware of beauty products that list it as an ingredient.
- Fragrance. Chemicals that make up fragrances can cause problems as mild as skin irritation to more serious ones like central nervous system disorders.
As you can see, anti aging skin care shouldn’t really be more difficult and complicated than it has to be. Learn what your skin needs to stay healthy, and you’ll be saying good-bye to those unsightly spots and premature wrinkles.