It is crucial to realize that aging along with the changes it entails is an inevitable yet natural process. For many people, men and women alike, changes in their complexion are one of the most intimidating parts of aging. However, it doesn’t mean there is nothing you can do to prevent the external manifestations of aging or at least make them less noticeable. Fortunately, if you start early, you can prevent this process from progressing too quickly.
However, before we can move on to exploring the ways that will help you avoid the premature aging of your skin, it is essential to get a better understanding of what causes it in the first place. Some of the most significant factors underlying aging include the lack of or improper skincare routine, hormonal changes, unbalanced diet, as well as the presence of bad habits.
Just a couple of these elements will inevitably lead to the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, enlarged pores, pigmented spots, dryness, and an overall dull appearance. So, if you want to keep your skin glowing and smooth for longer, you need to implement several changes into your lifestyle. Here’s what you need to pay careful attention to:
Quit Smoking
“Bad habits” is a cover term for a plethora of harmful activities, from eating late at night to skimping on sleep or not getting enough exercise. However, smoking is perhaps the most damaging one when it comes to the effects it has on your skin. Nicotine and other substances in cigarettes cause oxidative stress and pollution, leading to uneven skin pigmentation, dryness, as well as deeper facial wrinkles, and a saggy jawline.
Therefore, quitting smoking is a key requirement of a comprehensive approach to delaying overall skin aging. If you find it nearly impossible to quit smoking cold turkey, you might switch to a healthier option such as vaping. Ideally, you should choose nicotine-free vaping juices. However, if you are absolutely adamant about using nicotine, for example, in the form of nic salts, you should at least use those that contain less nicotine, or you won’t make any difference.
Such an approach will allow you to reduce the harmful effects of smoking on your skin while also making the process of quitting less painful.
Develop an Effective Skincare Routine
Since the concurrent processes of general skin aging begin approximately from your 20s, it is necessary to start using preventive measures as soon as possible to slow it down and prevent potential damage. A proper skincare routine will help you reduce the appearance of signs of aging, so you should pay due attention to the skincare products you use.
Apart from choosing beauty products according to your skin type, you should also determine the primary cause of aging, whether it’s wrinkles, loss of volume, or loss of density and radiance, and find products that directly address it. Here are the essential steps and products you should include in your skincare routine:
- Step 1 – cleaning your skin with a product that removes makeup and dirt without causing stress to the skin. A good facial cleanser should be gentle so as not to dehydrate the skin.
- Step 2 – toning your skin to remove oil and traces of dirt, bacteria, and makeup, restore your skin’s pH balance, and prepare it for the next step.
- Step 3 – moisturizing your skin to provide it with the hydration and nutrition it needs. It will also help combat the effects of aging, which often include dry skin.
- Step 4 – applying SPF. If you will be exposed to sunlight during the day, it is necessary to protect your face from harmful UV rays with a sunscreen product that will create a protective barrier.
As you can see, your skincare routine doesn’t have to include twenty steps to be effective – what matters the most is how consistent you are with it.
Rethink Your Diet
In order to maintain your skin in a healthy condition, you should also nourish it from the inside – when they say that “beauty comes from within,” it has quite a literal meaning. As such, a proper selection of foods can help you diversify your diet in terms of nutrients and, therefore, limit the development of oxidative stress, which has a harmful effect on the skin.
Eating fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables allow you to replenish the reserves of antioxidants (compounds that can neutralize free radicals) and trace elements. Implementing dietary changes that will increase the proportion of such products can help you slow down not only aging caused by external oxidative stress but also internal causes of general skin aging.
Some of the best foods rich in antioxidants that will be highly beneficial in reducing the signs of aging include leafy greens like spinach, kale, and watercress, broccoli and bell peppers, yellow squash, sweet potatoes, and nuts. On the other hand, some of the most beneficial fruits are avocados, papaya, blueberries, pineapple, and citrus fruits.
And, of course, to keep your skin smooth and glowing, you should also make sure that it is adequately hydrated. Dehydrated skin is the easiest to damage, so it is essential to incorporate a sufficient amount of water into your diet. Having at least two liters of water every day will contribute to keeping your complexion in a good state.
Water is necessary for nourishing your skin from within, as it contains all the minerals and trace elements that are crucial for cellular functions and regeneration. A sufficient amount of water will also help you maintain the healthy pH balance of your skin, which is essential for preventing it from drying out too quickly.
Final Note
While aging is a natural process, it doesn’t mean that you should resign yourself to just accepting the appearance of unwanted wrinkles, fine lines, or other unpleasant manifestations of getting older. You can always do something to delay premature skin aging – all you have to do is identify the main causes of aging then develop the appropriate skincare regimen to address them.
Other than that, it is critical to stick to a balanced diet that will help you replenish your skin with valuable nutrients, keep your skin hydrated, and get rid of the harmful habits that have a damaging effect on your complexion. And most importantly – remember that consistency is key, so make sure your efforts are regular. Good luck!
