8 tips to care for ageing skin
24 Mar 2020
Your skin is an essential organ of protection keeping your body hydrated and free of infection, not to mention being the source of a healthy glow. It works hard each day throughout a lifetime of wear and tear as well as fun in the sun.
But unlike snakes, who periodically shed their skin in one piece, us humans must take considerable lifelong precautions to ensure our outer layer stays in the best possible condition. Even for those of retirement age, good skin care is incredibly important and should never be taken lightly.
Looking after skin effectively can make a real difference. With that in mind, here are eight tips to care for your ageing skin.
1. “SLIP, SLOP, SLAP”
Too much UV radiation creates damaging free radicals which can seriously impact your skin, ranging from unwanted wrinkles, fine lines and dark spots to very dangerous skin cancer. To protect against the effects of exposure to the sun’s harmful rays, you should always remember the classic “slip-slop-slap” technique – slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, and slap on a hat.
2. TAKE YOUR VITAMINS…
Good nutrition is a key contributor to healthy, more youthful looking skin. The best sources of nutrients that nourish skin are fruit and vegetables containing beneficial vitamins including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and others. Certain supplements and skin care products can also provide a nutrient boost. Although overexposure to the sun is bad, you should also still aim to absorb an appropriate amount of the “sunshine vitamin”, vitamin D.
3. …AND YOUR ANTIOXIDANTS
Along with vitamins, antioxidants have a vital role to play in caring for your skin. Since antioxidants are able to counteract free radicals, incorporating more of them into your diet provides a powerful boost for your skin. Great sources of antioxidants include vitamin C, green tea, pomegranate, blueberries, sweet potatoes and all sorts of other foods and ingredients.
4. GET A GOOD SLEEP
Your skin loves a good night’s sleep as much as you do. Restful sleep is needed to properly rejuvenate skin cells and tissues. You can improve your sleep by winding down, avoiding stimulating activities and relaxing your mind before heading to bed.
5. CLEANSE, EXFOLIATE & MOISTURISE
Just because your skin is older than it used to be, that doesn’t mean daily anti-ageing facial and body treatments should become a thing of the past. Gently cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising your skin with non-toxic products helps to keep your skin clean, hydrated and balanced. That’s much better than living with conditions like dry or oily skin.
6. READ THE INGREDIENTS
Marketing rules and regulations in the personal care sector are somewhat limited, meaning the onus rests with you to know what you’re buying and putting on your skin. It’s wise to read ingredient listings closely and, if in doubt, do some extra research. As a starting point, experts generally recommend avoiding ingredients that might be toxic, such as mineral oil and synthetic/artificial fragrances. Products made with organic and non-toxic ingredients are usually the way to go.
7. STAY HYDRATED
Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated is essential for numerous health reasons, including “feeding” the skin from the inside to help retain its softness and avoid dryness, cracking and unsightly dark circles under the eyes. Despite this, many people tend to consume less water per day as they age. Make fluid intake a priority, you won’t regret it.
8. DON’T FORGET TO EXERCISE
You may not typically associate exercise with better skin, but being more active can reduce the signs of stress and increase blood flow to the body’s covering, which in turn helps your skin stay fresh and free of nasty toxins.
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