There is no holding back the hands of time, and yet none of us are ready to throw in the towel and allow time to ravage our appearance without some kind of resistance. Younger-looking skin is attainable, even as we get older. Although aging is a natural process of life, there is nothing wrong in trying to do it as gracefully as possible.
Here are our top 5 Golden Rules when it comes to anti-aging and looking as young on the outside as we feel on the inside:
- Use Sunscreen Daily. It’s never too early or too late to start. Setting a good example for the rest of the family can be paramount in minimizing wrinkles and dark spots and even lowering the risk of skin cancer down the road. A recent Australian study showed that even older adults, who have had a lifetime of UV exposure, reap the benefits of daily sunscreen by slowing down aging of the skin.
- Take Care of the Eyes. Go for regular eye checkups and wear sunglasses. Squinting creates wrinkles, whether it’s from trying to block out the glare of the sun or reading fine print that seems to magically shrink the longer we look at it. As eye creams with built-in sun filters are not as easy to find as we would wish, large sunglasses à la Jackie Kennedy are not only practical but stylish as well.
- Don’t Neglect Your Hands! These hardworking appendages are exposed to the sun as much as the face and yet we rarely think to apply sunscreen to them. We may not be asked to put our hands up to a mani-cam but even family photos can pick up how old the hands look. Your favorite sunscreen during the day and dermatologist-recommended Cliniderm Soothing Cream at night will take years off their appearance.
- Put Yourself First. Taking care of yourself can hardly be called self-indulgent and yet how often do we do that? Exercise, stay hydrated, sleep well and eat skin-healthy foods high in omega-3 fatty acids to keep the body feeling strong and young.
- Keep Stress Levels Down. Although stress may be a dominating feature of our hectic, modern lives, studies have documented that stress can trigger eczema, hair loss, acne and rosacea as well as contributing to a haggard, tired look. Skin lacks lustre and can make us look older than we are. Although some stress may be unavoidable, managing it and learning to relax will help you look and feel better.
Follow these Golden Rules and you’ll have it in the bag.
