Healthy Skin Care Habits
Let's face it, nobody wants to look old. Wrinkles, dark circles under the eyes, puffy or sagging skin - these are all signs of aging. The question many of us face as we grow older is whether we can slow the effects of time. Are plastic surgery and injections the only way to look younger?
Luckily, there are less drastic ways to keep your face from showing every year! Healthy habits, along with a proper skincare regimen, can not only slow the inevitable signs of aging, but also actually repair damage to your skin.
Skincare research benefits from the advances being made in nutrition, chemistry and biology. One skincare company, South Beach, is actually using Nobel Prize-winning discoveries in its anti-aging formula LifeCell. This revolutionary cream uses anti-oxidants to stem the damage caused by free radicals, stimulates collagen production, and fills in existing wrinkles. All of this and a great moisturizer, too!
In addition to daily cleansing and moisturizing, here are five healthy habits, which will keep you from falling victim to aging skin.
1. Protect yourself from the sun. The days of lying out at midday with baby oil are over. Doctors have determined that even small amount of exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays is a primary factor in aging the skin. Wrinkles, age spots, dryness and a leathery texture are just some of the results of getting too much sun. Try to stay out of the rays when they are at their most intense, from about 10 am until 2 pm. And be sure to use a quality sunscreen to protect against those UV rays.
2. Don't smoke. Cigarette smoke produces millions of free radicals, tiny molecules that attack the healthy cells in your skin. And nicotine constricts blood flow. This means that oxygen and nutrients can't get to your skin cells. Production of collagen and elastin will decrease, and deep wrinkles will be the result.
3. Moisturize regularly. As our skin ages, it loses moisture, a necessary component to keeping it looking young and firm. Applying a high-quality moisturizer like LifeCell will keep water in, where it is needed.
4. Drink plenty of water. Water is the basis of human life. Our bodies are made up of 70% water. It carries toxins and impurities away from our cells, and brings oxygen and nutrients in.
5. Be gentle. When washing or drying your face or applying moisturizer, use soft patting motions. Pulling at your skin or rubbing it too hard will stretch it out, causing wrinkles and sags.
Be good to your skin, and you will be rewarded by looking younger and healthier!
