We all want to age gracefully. As a woman in my fifties, I’ve had to make some adjustments to my skin care, as well as how I live my life, to keep myself looking and feeling younger.
Skin cells are the fastest replicating cells in our bodies. Skin cell turnover generally occurs within four weeks, and as we get older, that can be reduced by half. This hinders the skin’s ability to hold hydration, making it dull, dry, and flaky, limiting its ability to absorb product and protect itself.
Caring for your skin and body doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are seven steps you can take right now to improve skin health.
Exercise
We all know this one. Exercise reduces stress. Stress causes damage to your body and skin.
Protect
Not wearing sunscreen or clothing to protect your skin will age you very rapidly. Did you know that 90% of the aging process is due to the sun, 80% of sun damage occurs before 18 years of age, and 70% of all sun damage is “casual” exposure? There is a lot of debate around wearing sunscreen or not. I’m not saying avoid the sun altogether and its gift of vitamin D. It takes seconds to apply sunscreen before your make-up and not chance rapid aging or cancer.
Hydrate
After preventing environmental damage, the next essential is hydration. Drinking lots of water flushes away impurities. Nutrient-dense juices are loaded with antioxidants to fight age-causing free radicals.
Feed
What you eat matters. Partnered with hydration, clean eating improves overall health by giving your body the nutritional tools to repair the skin from the inside out.
Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) are the building blocks of healthy cell membranes. Your body doesn’t make EFA on its own – it must get them from foods, like fish, nuts, seeds, vegetables, Omega-3, and Omega-6. This is essential in helping produce the skin’s natural lipid oil barrier, critical in keeping the skin hydrated, plumper and younger looking. If your cell membrane is not soft the cells have trouble getting nutrients in.
Rest
Sleep quality affects skin function and aging. A lack of sleep reduces recovery time from environmental stress on the skin.
Exfoliate
If you want fresh, healthy, vibrant-looking skin you have to force the cells to turn over more frequently. This will not only initiate a response in the dermis layer to make more collagen and elastin but will prepare your skin to be able to absorb the products you are applying. You don’t want to purchase products specifically for your skin needs just to have them slough off without being absorbed. Exfoliating in the evening at least twice a week will do the trick, without causing harmful irritation.
Nourish
Applying topical skin care products daily is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to keep your skin vibrant and healthy. Using quality products insures you are getting the best ingredients for your personal skin care needs. I’d love to chat and help you on your path to healthier, younger-looking skin.