Age-defying tips

1. PROTECT YOUR SKIN FROM THE SUN

Sun damage is the number one enemy to youthful skin. The sun causes 80% of ageing and only 20% is hereditary. Damage to the skin is mainly done by the age of 20. A suntan produces deep wrinkles, leathery-textured skin and brown pigmentation spots. Use a daily moisturiser combined with a broad-spectrum sunscreen. If you want a tan, fake it.

2. QUIT SMOKING

Stop smoking if you want to protect your skin from premature ageing. You may not be able to completely reverse the damage smoking has done to your skin, but you will stop the damage from getting worse. Smoking reduces levels of collagen in the skin. The telltale signs of a ‘smoker’s face’ is dull, greyish, dry skin, increased wrinkling around the eyes and puckering wrinkles around the mouth. Is this really what you want for your skin?

3. EAT ANTI-OXIDANT FOODS AND DRINK LOTS OF WATER

For maximum anti-oxidant protection eat fresh vegetables, fruit and whole grains, which are high in anti-oxidants. Add green tea to your daily diet, which is a natural anti-oxidant. It also helps the body to burn abdominal fat.

Hydrate your skin from within. If you want to look younger you need to make sure drinking water is an essential part of your anti-ageing regimen. Skin cells need water or they will dehydrate, and essential anti-ageing nutrients cannot be delivered to your system.

4. TAKE A DAILY ANTI-AGEING SUPPLEMENT

Boost your anti-oxidant intake with a daily supplement. Go for one with high levels of omega 3, ubiquinol, vitamin C and vitamin E. Vitamins C and E are two wonder vitamins that work together to restore collagen in your skin. Omega 3 maintains the structure and fluidity of cells and moisturises the skin from within.

5. EXFOLIATE AND MOISTURISE YOUR SKIN

Exfoliate your face at least twice a week to ensure that fresh, live skin is soaking up your moisturiser. Choose a daily and nightly moisturiser with high doses of retinol, hyaluronic acid and peptides that work to reverse the ageing process.

6. EXERCISE

Exercise is good for the skin – increasing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your skin cells. Exercise will also give your more energy, build muscle mass, increase blood flow to your skin, help prevent high blood pressure, strengthen bones and raise your metabolic rate.

7. GET YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP

Getting enough sleep is very important or your skin will suffer. During sleep your body releases growth hormones, which stimulate cell turnover.

8. STOP STRESSING

High levels of stress can prematurely age you. People with fluctuating emotions tend to age earlier than those with more stable moods. Stress is a feedback mechanism to make you aware that your perceptions and emotions are unbalanced. Reduce the ageing process by maintaining emotional stability, consistency and a moderate lifestyle. Decrease stress by practicing deep breathing and stretching.

9. START NON-SURGICAL, ANTI-AGEING PROCEDURES EARLY

Use small quantities of botox and dermal fillers at the first sign of a wrinkle or furrow. It will prevent the wrinkle from forming any further and stimulates collagen production in that area. Early small quantities of botox and filler will alleviate the need to use major quantities in your forties, fifties and sixties.

So that’s it – my ten top anti-ageing tips to help you stay younger looking. Now all you need to do is follow them.

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