Aging is a natural biological process inherent to life, inevitable and not to be dreaded. However, it’s is crucial to cherish and properly care for what we’ve been blessed with and make our health a priority.
Skin is the largest organ of your body and taking care of your skin health is paramount to a healthy body and healthy life.
The ensuing suggestions serve not only to prevent premature aging, but also to uphold the optimal health of your skin by making informed choices in your life.
- Use Sunscreen: Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to the exposed regardless you’re indoors or outdoors every single day even in winters because the UV rays can penetrate your skin even when the sun doesn’t feel very intense. Sunscreen will nt only prevent premature aging but also protect you against skincancer.
- Avoid Smoking: Smoking 30 cigarettes daily might cause your skin to age an additional 14 years by the age of 70. It promotes inflammation as well as causes oxidative stress which may result in wrinking and premature aging.
- Maintain Hydration: Drink recommended amount of water for your age to maintain the hydration and elasticity of your skin. The recommended daily intake of water for an average adult is 8 glasses or 2 litres of water per day.
- Use Moisturizer Regularly: For optimal outcomes with your moisturizer, generously apply it to freshly cleansed, damp skin. Moisturizing your skin within three minutes of bathing or cleansing your face is essential. Opt for a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser to keep your skin hydrated and preserve its natural oils.
- Balanced Diet: Include fruits such as pomegranete help skin regenerate and repair against external damage due to sun, vegetables rich in Vitamin C such as leafy green vegetables, tomoatoes and bell peppers, lean proteins, and healthy fats to provide essential nutrients for skin health.
Polyphenols and onwards are essential components of a balanced diet. Found in green tea and dark chocolate, they may assist in mitigating external skin aging caused by environmental stressors such as sun exposure and pollution.
Avoid excessive sugar and fat intake.
- Adequate Sleep: A peaceful 7-8 hours of sleep is essential for body’s cells including skin’s to regenerate and repair. Sleep also promotes collagen synthesis which is responsible for skin elasticity and strength. Inadequate sleep promotes inflammation and can trigger acne, psoriasis or eczema flares.
- Optimum Water Temperature : Prolonged exposure to hot water can deplete your skin’s natural moisture, resulting in dryness, irritation, and discomfort. This can lead to increased oil production, potentially leading to pore clogging. Lukewarm is preferrable.
- Manage stress: Chronic stress may cause shortening of telomers which is associated with cellular aging. Stress can also lead to release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, increase in oxidative stress and release of stress hormone, cortisol, thereby contributing to unhealthy skin.
Therefore, it’s crucial to employ healthy coping mechanisms, for instance regular exercise, yoga, meditation and daily journaling, to manage stress in life.