Aging gracefully is about more than just avoiding wrinkles and sagging skin. It’s about embracing the process and prioritizing your health.
The best way to prevent early signs of aging is by using sunscreen daily, including on cloudy days. You should also use a retinoid and moisturizer.
Avoid harsh cleansers and abrasive scrubs because they can damage your face’s moisture barrier. It’s also a good idea to use a gentle cleanser for your eyes.
1. Eat a Healthy Diet
There are many factors that play into aging well, including genetics. However, diet plays an important role too, and the right foods can help you look and feel your best. “The key is to eat a balanced, nutritious diet,” says Dr. Michael Roizen, chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. “That means plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats like nuts, seeds, avocados and fatty fish.”
Staying active is also an essential part of aging gracefully, and exercise doesn’t have to be fancy. A walk around the neighborhood, a yoga class, or swimming at the community center can all help get your heart pumping and your brain working.
Another key is to avoid consuming too much saturated fat, which can increase your cholesterol levels. Instead, opt for unsaturated fats, such as those found in avocados, almonds, olive oil and salmon. And be sure to get enough dietary fiber, which can help reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure and other health problems. Finally, make sure you’re getting sufficient vitamin B12. You can get it from dairy products and fortified breakfast cereals or by incorporating leafy greens, such as spinach and kale, into your diet.
2. Get Enough Sleep
Aging gracefully is about so much more than avoiding wrinkles and gray hair, it’s also about your health and wellbeing. A few changes to your diet and lifestyle can make all the difference.
While some of the beauty advice grandma passed down to you like putting lotion on your elbows and knees or wearing your hat aren’t exactly scientific, some of her tips do have real value. Getting enough sleep is a good example of one such tip. Sleep deprivation can speed up the aging process, so getting 7.5 to 8.5 hours of rest each night is important. It can also help to avoid bad habits like smoking, excessive drinking and sugary foods.
It turns out the term beauty sleep isn’t a myth after all. A 2015 study published in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology found that women who get 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night have skin that bounces back quicker from UV rays than those who sleep less than that. It’s an easy way to prevent premature aging and keep your complexion looking youthful! Plus, getting plenty of rest will help keep you energized.
3. Drink Water
Remember those little pearls of beauty wisdom your grandma passed down to you, like putting lotion on your elbows and knees or sleeping on a silk pillowcase? It turns out, her sage advice has some truth to it.
In addition to eating a well-balanced diet, drinking water is also important for your skin. Drinking enough water helps to hydrate your body and can reduce fine lines on the face. It can also help with your skin’s appearance, especially if you use a moisturizing cream that contains an active ingredient like vitamin C, which helps promote a brighter complexion.
It’s also a good idea to avoid sugary drinks and stick with water and herbal tea instead. These beverages will hydrate your body without all the added sugar, which can lead to bloating and weight gain over time.
Another way to help you age gracefully is to get enough exercise. Staying active can improve your mood, which can help you deal with stress. It can also help you feel more energetic and confident, which are key factors in aging gracefully. Finally, it’s also important to avoid bad habits that can speed up the aging process, such as smoking and drinking too much alcohol.
4. Moisturize
Moisturizing is a great way to replenish the skin’s natural hydration. Using the right moisturizer based on your age will help you maintain healthy-looking skin throughout your life.
Moisturizers come in different forms, from thin lotions to thick ointments. There are also many types of ingredients that keep the moisture in, including occlusives, emollients and humectants. Occlusives create a barrier that prevents water from escaping the skin, while emollients soften the skin by adding oil and humectants hold onto moisture by drawing it in. Most products contain a mixture of all three, with occlusives and emollients being the most common. But maybe you may ask the question: When Does Botox Look Best? Well, it will look best depending on your situation so I suggest you check out the link to know more.
The skin is the largest organ in the body and it needs to be taken care of, especially as you age. Keeping your face hydrated with a daily moisturizer helps to prevent fine lines from forming and reduces the appearance of blemishes. Having plump, hydrated skin also makes it look younger. It’s important to moisturize after every shower or bath, and avoid harsh soaps or detergents that strip the natural oils from your skin. Drinking water, using a humidifier and staying away from smoking are other ways to add more moisture to your skin. It’s also a good idea to apply a facial moisturizer before makeup, as it can help your foundation to last longer and look smoother.
5. Wear Sunscreen
It Prevents Premature Aging of the Skin: Sun damage leads to a leathery, thick look; discoloration; and a breakdown of collagen, which contributes to fine lines and sagging. A daily application of broad-spectrum sunscreen can help reduce those signs, as well as keep your skin tone more even.
It Keeps Your Skin Healthy: A daily application of sunscreen can also help protect the essential proteins (like collagen and keratin) that are so important to keeping your skin smooth, healthy and radiant. It Reduces the Number of Dark Spots and Redness: Using a light, mineral sunscreen can help reduce the appearance of dark spots and redness caused by sun exposure.
When you think about sunscreen, you probably think about slathering it on while at the beach during summer, but sunscreen is actually just as important year-round. Make sure you get into the habit of applying a full ounce of sun protection to your entire body daily, including those hard-to-reach places like the tops of your ears, back of your neck and behind your knees.
In addition to a daily application of broad-spectrum sunscreen, consider supplementing your routine with anti-aging skin care products (like retinols and vitamin C) to really give your complexion the TLC it needs.
6. Don’t Pick at Your Acne
If you’re prone to acne, one of the best beauty tips for healthy skin is to stop picking at your pimples. Picking at blemishes triggers inflammation and prolongs the healing process of the skin. This often leads to dark marks that don’t lighten in time, and it can even cause permanent scarring.
Psychological factors, like anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, can also fuel the habit. Many people don’t realize they’re picking at their blemishes, which makes it difficult to break the cycle.
Practicing mindfulness and self-awareness can help you identify triggers and make progress toward healthier, clearer skin. Keeping your hands busy with fidget toys or engaging in creative activities, like drawing, can divert nervous energy away from the temptation to pick at a blemish. Cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, like avoiding triggers and practicing acceptance, can also be effective.
If you can’t avoid the urge to pick at your skin, consider applying pimple patches or a bandage over the spot, as this will keep your fingers from reaching the area and causing damage. You can also trim your nails to prevent them from being used to pick at blemishes, and getting regular manicures is a great way to deter nail picking.