Aging is inevitable. It is solely up to you should you want to be burdened with the thought of growing old, or to live your life to the fullest with a smile gracing your face.
While there is certainly nothing wrong with looking older or looking your age, some will still want to hold onto their youthful visage. Since there is no known source of the fountain of youth (yet?), then here are some beauty secrets to looking young:
1. Get your beauty sleep
Getting seven to eight hours of shuteye is ideal in helping you look fresh. It also keeps your mind alert which will help you face your tasks for the day.
If can afford to stay longer in bed, then do so. Your body repairs and recharges itself while you sleep to keep you vibrant and ready for the next day. Sleep helps reduce your puffy eyes, gives you a glowing complexion, and aids in preventing those fine lines and wrinkles.
2. Wear sunscreen
Wearing a hat is not enough to shield you from the harsh rays of the sun. It is essential to protect your face and body with sunscreen to effectively reduce the adverse effects of ultraviolet rays.
Sunscreen usage will help protect against sunburn and premature aging, and more importantly, reduce the risk of skin cancer.
3. Eat more fatty fish
Food with the highest level of omega-3 fatty acid helps maintain healthy and supple skin. This includes seafood, especially tuna and salmon, as well as walnuts, flax seed, and canola oil. It would be good if you can include these in your diet or take fish oil supplements.
Food rich in omega-3 fatty acids will help the body produce less inflammatory compounds – the culprit to making skin look and feel aged.
4. Include antioxidants in your diet
A diet rich in antioxidants such as those found in fresh fruits and vegetables can help combat skin damage. Vibrant colored fruits like blueberries, strawberries, sweet potatoes, and watermelon are suitable sources.
Purple corn (derived from Anthocyanin) also provides health benefits in the form of preventing oxidative damage as well as in fighting free radicals.
5. Drink water.
No, it won’t wash away the fine lines and wrinkles like a magic potion. To be more realistic, drinking the right amount of water (about six to eight cups a day) can not only quench your thirst but also hydrate your body.
Drinking water has so many amazing health benefits including flushing out toxins, making your skin glow, reducing hair loss, and yes, fighting aging.
6. Practice yoga
Aside from keeping your body lithe and supple, yoga also helps loosen your muscles, soothes your mind, and drives your stress away.
7. Stay away from sugar
Sugar does not do wonders for your skin so better skip it. If you have a sweet tooth, you’d most likely benefit from knowing that there’s a natural process called glycation. This is when the sugar in your bloodstream attaches itself to the proteins in your body and forms harmful molecules aptly called AGEs (or Advanced Glycation End products).
The proteins that are more vulnerable to the AGEs attacks are collagen and elastin – the very proteins responsible for keeping skin and elastic. Now you can do the math.
8. Indulge in facials once in a while
Your skin will thank you for it. It is not necessary to go and have facials every day, but paying a visit to your trusted facialist every now and then will do wonders in cleaning up your pores and giving you a fresh, youthful glow.
9. Update your makeup
What suited you five years ago will not necessarily still suit you now. Check and update your makeup based on how your face has developed over the years.
Also, stay updated on the latest trends and innovations in makeup such as those that already include a sunblock or do not use harsh ingredients that may do more harm than good to your skin.
10. Establish an exercise routine
There’s a barrel of benefits to be had from committing yourself to an exercise regimen. Aside from keeping your body toned and healthy, it also has beautifying points such as helping you sleep better, reversing the signs of aging, giving you a natural glow, and even helping protect your tresses.
11. Invest in anti-aging creams
It won’t hurt to complement a nutrition and health regimen with products that can also aid in protecting your skin. Choose lotions, serums, and creams that have age defying properties that can provide support to your hard working internal systems.
12. Stop smoking
Aside from being hazardous to the heart, lungs, brain, and even libido, smoking can also cause adverse effects to your skin and beauty.
Smoking can also cause psoriasis, discolored teeth, eye bags, yellow fingers, thinner hair, tooth loss, dull complexion, and looking old and gray. Still want to take that puff? Better think again.
13. Eat or drink more ‘good’ bacteria
Healthier-looking skin can be achieved by also making sure your gut stays healthy. Do so by taking probiotics that will enhance good gut flora and ensure that you are healthy inside and out.
14. Limit your alcohol intake
Guzzling alcohol like a fish won’t do you any good. Cut back on the margaritas and cosmopolitans and replace those with good, clean water. Alcohol only causes inflammation and while it gives you that rosy blush, remember that it is temporary and actually damages your capillaries, leading to aging.
15. Consider non-surgical treatments
If you’re still seeking other ways to try and hold back time, you can also try non-surgical treatments that will address your specific needs. There are a variety of innovations that range from anti-wrinkle treatments to skin laser tightening.
Make sure to ask several licensed doctors about the benefits before undergoing any procedure.
“The trick to aging gracefully is to enjoy it.”
Keep in mind that the above tips are merely aids to help you feel and look good. Your best beautifier will be a positive attitude. There are challenges and perks at every stage in life. Choose to spend your days worrying about lines and wrinkles or choose to simply live beautifully.
AUTHOR BIO
Frank L. Jaksch Jr. is the Chief Executive Officer and a co-founder of ChromaDex. He oversees research, strategy and operations for the Company with a focus on scientific and novel products for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical markets. Mr. Jaksch earned a B.S. in Chemistry and Biology from Valparaiso University.