Your genes will always have some influence on skin getting drier and thinner regardless of what you do, but there are preventive actions you can take to slow the effects of "extrinsic" aging, the aging caused by factors outside your body… limiting the effects of environment and making the best lifestyle choices for healthy skin!
Here are 8 ways to help keep your skin as healthy and youthful as possible:
Protect your skin from the sun every day – sun or cloud, winter or summer.
UVB rays result in a tan or sunburn and are largely blocked by cloud, while UVA rays can often pass through cloud or glass damaging skin without causing a visible burn or tan.
Use a cream or lotion daily that contains SPF 15 to 30, depending on the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight, plus an effective UVA blocker (Note that “SPF” refers to effects on UVB rays only). Apply daily to your face and hands – the most exposed areas of the body.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat to further reduce sun exposure to the face and neck.
Like a tanned look? Try a self-tanner – they’re much improved from earlier versions, giving a more natural skin tone and won’t damage your skin.
Avoid tanning beds and lamps – they also cause skin damage and aging.
Remember the sun is strongest between 10am and 3pm, and you will need greater protection during these hours.
If you smoke – stop!
Toxins in cigarette smoke speed skin aging.
Smoking can cause a dull, sallow complexion and decreased blood flow to the face resulting in less healthy skin.
Preventing aging is yet another good reason to quit!
Pay attention to your facial expressions – especially frowning…
Repeated frowning, squinting or pursing of lips creates skin folds or lines that eventually become permanent.
Watch for lines that indicate facial muscles you frequently use:
Between brows – frowning
“Crows’ feet” at corners of eyes – squinting (wear sunglasses to reduce this)
Lines radiating from your mouth – pursing lips
Smiling uses far fewer facial muscles, so avoids potential lines and wrinkles…and brightens your day and that of everyone around you at the same time!
Eat a healthy diet
Fresh fruit and veggies provide nutrients needed for healthy skin:
Vitamin C is needed to form collagen, part of the support structure of skin.
Vitamins E, A and Biotin (a B vitamin) are also important for skin.
5 to 7 servings of fruit and vegetables daily will generally provide enough of these nutrients to help keep skin healthy (although a new study suggests that 3 to 4 servings may be adequate for maximum health benefit - stay tuned for recommended dietary changes in the future!).
Limit Alcohol - Alcohol is reported to dehydrate skin, making it look more aged.
Avoid binge drinking, drink only in moderation (1 to 2 drinks per day), and keep hydrated by drinking water along with alcohol.
A guideline could be one glass of water for each drink, for example.
Exercise on most days
Exercise boosts circulation and immune function throughout the body, including the skin
Incorporate activity into your daily routine.
It may give your skin a more youthful appearance.
And, being fit looks good at any age!
Cleanse skin
Many references suggest cleansing gently but thoroughly to remove makeup, sweat and bacteria without irritating skin.
However, exfoliating (gently removing the outer layer of dead skin cells) has long been used to give skin a fresher, smoother surface.
Exfoliating before applying a moisturizer may help the moisture to penetrate the skin more readily.
Author’s note: I have used a “buff puff” type sponge to cleanse daily for many years with good success, originally to keep pores open to prevent blemishes, but I continued to use it for its exfoliiant action. This might not be an option, however, for those with very sensitive skin, although "gentle" versions are available.
Apply a facial moisturizer every day.
Even an inexpensive facial moisturizer will help maintain hydration of the skin, giving a more youthful appearance.
Using a moisturizer with sunscreen added can simplify your skincare regimen -- 2 steps in one!
Drinking water regularly also helps keep skin hydrated. Avoid bottles or straws that cause you to “pucker up” your mouth when drinking (see #3!)
Having compounded cosmetics for several years in my pharmacy, I have a few "favourite" skin ingredients:
DMAE - helps to tighten the tiny muscles that support the skin temporarily (12-24 hours)
Glycolic Acid - help loosen dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, creating a smoother surface (not recommended for those with sensitive skin, and use with caution in eye area)
Lipoic Acid - reported to help improve dark circles under the eyes
Vitamin C Ester - helps with collagen formation to prevent thinning of the skin (the ester form is better in creams as it can pass through skin easier and is less irritating than plain vitamin C)
These are inexpensive ingredients, so you can likely find reasonably-priced creams containing some of these.
Keep in mind that sun exposure is considered the greatest avoidable cause of skin aging and damage. Brown “age” spots (also referred to as “liver” spots) are a visible indication of sun damage. If numerous spots appear, ask for an assessment by a dermatologist. These spots can be removed with a prescription strength peeling agent targeted to the damaged area – ask your doctor!
