From about 25 years of age and onwards most of us aren’t thrilled by the idea of growing older. And while we’re all for embracing and owning the later years, it never hurts to keep a youthful glow about yourself or put your best face forward.
Far from miracle creams, injections and surgery, the ‘secret’ to ageing gracefully involves much more of a common sense approach. These seven methods may not be the quick fix you were hoping for but they are guaranteed to not only help you age gracefully but make you feel younger too.
Start at the top
One of the easier ones, getting the right haircut can go a long way to make your face look younger. Take the time to do some research or book in a consultation to talk to your hairdresser about what would work best for you. Consider your face shape and what you would like to highlight or anything you would prefer to hide. Make sure you combat any effects hormone changes can have on your hair (making it brittle or thinner) by using a nourishing shampoo and conditioner, and a brush that won’t damage it any further.
Protect your smile
As cheesy as it sounds your smile is one of your best assets. The prettiest people are usually those who radiate joy from their faces rather than those who walk around looking like a pissed-off teenager. Over time, teeth can lose their sparkle turning yellow or grey, with some of life’s most enjoyable things – coffee and red wine – the biggest culprits. Talk to your dentist about the best regular teeth-whitening products to use to protect those pearly whites – and flash your best youthful smile.
Love the skin you’re in
Make eye cream an essential part of your skin regime to combat crows feet, as the skin around your eyes is the thinnest and has very few oil glands. Peptides work wonders when it comes to stimulating collagen production and prevent fine lines. For puffiness, lines, wrinkles and dark circles, ingredients like caffeine and nicotinic acid can help to reduce these.
Slip, slop, slap
There is nothing boring about protecting your skin and body from the effects of the sun. It’s fine to enjoy some vitamin D in the sunshine, but to avoid pigmentation, wrinkles and skin cancer, make sure you apply sunscreen that protects from both UVA and UVB rays every couple of hours while you’re exposed to it. Avoid having your face directly in the sun by wearing a hat when possible, sunglasses to stop you squinting, and make sure your makeup includes SPF.
Inside out
As with most things in life, when it comes to your body it’s what you do on the inside that counts. A balanced diet high in fruit and vegetables will ensure you get enough antioxidants and vitamins to keep your skin looking younger. In particularly, resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant found in grapes, is known for helping prevent premature aging. Fish is also another key staple with the Omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon, tuna and trout offering many anti-aging benefits.
Beauty sleep
Is there anything a good night’s sleep can’t fix? In case you needed an extra reason to get a good night’s Zs (read seven to nine hours), while you sleep your body releases a growth hormone that helps to restore collagen and elastin – essential for healthy and youthful skin.
Stress less
The opposite of sleep, stress is the root of all evil when it comes to our bodies. Not only does it take a toll on our brain and mental health but too much stress can increase blood pressure, and mess with your sleeping habits, causing you to age prematurely. While not entirely avoidable, make sure you manage stress by finding an activity that keeps you grounded and calm, such as yoga, meditation or even just taking a long walk or bath. Make it a regular part of your routine.
Do you have a trick to maintaining a youthful appearance? We’d love to hear it in the comments below.
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