Everybody dreads looking in the mirror and seeing yet another new wrinkle on their once youthful face. Anti-wrinkle cream manufacturers plough huge amounts of money every year into finding new ingredients and formulations to reverse the signs of aging skin. However, there are things you can do at home and just with a few simple steps you can dramatically improve the condition of your skin. Here are 5 tips for wrinkle-free skin:
1 – Work from the inside-out
Premature wrinkles can be a sign of a poor diet and general ill health. Overeating, under eating, smoking, excessive alcohol, drugs, and many prescription medications can take their toll on the skin and lead to wrinkle formation.
Taking care of yourself, and watching what you put into your body, is the best way to ensure long-term protection against wrinkles. In particular, drink plenty of fresh water to keep your skin hydrated and flush toxins from your body, and include a variety of fruit and vegetables in your daily diet. Oily fish, Brazil nuts, and avocados are especially effective in the fight against wrinkles, as they contain fatty acids that help to give your skin its elasticity.
2. Include antioxidants in your diet
Free radicals enter our body from various sources such as sunlight, smoking, chemicals and preservatives in food; they cause cell damage to the skin which, amongst other things, leads to wrinkles. Antioxidants help to remove these free radicals from your body. One of the most powerful antioxidants is tea, especially green tea. Vitamins A, C, and E all have antioxidant properties, and can be used to fight free radicals. Foods high in these vitamins, such as carrots, broccoli, and sunflower seeds should be included in your anti-wrinkle arsenal.
3. Develop a regular skincare routine
Skincare products need to be used on a regular basis in order to obtain maximum benefits. Anti-wrinkle creams and serums may help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, but they need to be used at least once a day for full effect. In addition to a daily routine of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, you should invest in a good quality fine-scrub or microdermabrasion kit to remove dead skin cells regularly. Face masks, skin peels, and other commercial products can also reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Olive oil is especially good at repairing damaged skin; apply a thin layer and leave overnight for maximum benefit.
4. Avoid too much sun exposure
A little sunlight is good for the skin, not to mention your general physical and emotional health. But excessive exposure to sunlight damages the skin and its collagen fibers. Collagen is needed for the production of healthy skin, but overexposure to sunlight depletes production and causes skin to lose its elasticity. Reduced skin elasticity leads to wrinkles. Protect your skin in strong sunlight with a good quality sun block or sunscreen and try to stay in the shade when spending long periods of time in the sun.
5. Get plenty of rest and relaxation
Stress plays a big part in the condition of your skin. When you’re overtired, overworked, exhausted, and under stress, your skin becomes dull, lifeless and grey. Wrinkles form more quickly because your tired skin is less able to repair itself. Getting a good nights sleep, and making sure you find time in your day to relax, is crucial. If you don’t have much time for relaxation, try a simple daily meditation or long soak in a hot bath to unwind. If your finances allow, book a luxury facial massage at your local salon to relax and give your skin a boost.
About the author: Joanna Vargas is a graduate from the University of Chicago and is a celebrity facialist well known for her unique facials. Her signature microcurrent facial, LED light therapy skincare treatment and oxygen facial have been the source of rave reviews from the leading magazines such as Vogue, Allure, Harper’s Bazaar and many others. She will soon have available her own skin care products and full body LED light therapy bed, patent pending.
Credits: Photo courtesy of Jo H.