Aging

There isn’t a single person on earth that can escape the fact that their skin will eventually have wrinkles. Although, with proper care and education, you can definitely slow down the process and decrease the fine lines and creases.
There are a number of things one can do to help keep their skin looking smooth and youthful. Treatments, serums, moisturizers and a good diet are definitely beneficial, but there are certain triggers that need to be avoided that will increase wrinkles.
Let’s take a closer look at some common things that cause wrinkles:

1. Sun Damage

A study concluded that Ultra Violet exposure contributes to 80% of visual signs of aging on the face. Excessive sun exposure will increase hyperpigmentation, age spots, and wrinkling.
Sun damage will reduce the amount of collagen and elastin in the skin, which is what keeps the texture smooth, taught and wrinkle-free.
It is recommended to apply a sunblock with a minimum of 30 SPF. Using a higher SPF is beneficial as well, but no matter which SPF you choose, make sure you reapply it every two hours to keep it working to its maximum potential.

2. Free Radical Damage

Free radicals in the air can come from pollution, cigarette smoke, water, and soil. These free radicals attach to our skin throughout the day, creating damage.
One of the best ways to combat this damage is to wash your face before you go to sleep at night to remove these contaminants from the surface of your skin.
Another way is to limit your exposure by spending less time in a more populated city area and more time in rural areas.

3. Lack Of Moisture

Dry skin is flaky and will wrinkle and tend to have a crepe-like appearance. You can combat this by using a quality moisturizer for your skin type. Apply a lighter moisturizer in the morning and a thicker night cream before bedtime. Always wash your face before applying moisturizer.
It is also very important to treat the eye area, which is prone to “crow’s feet” and under eye bags.
Not only do you need to hydrate your skin from the outside, but you need to hydrate your skin from the inside as well. Be sure to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. When your body is dehydrated, your skin will appear lackluster, and dry and will show more signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles.

4. Stress

In today’s fast-paced world, it is often difficult to avoid stressful situations. Finding yourself always at a heightened state of stress is not only terrible for the health of your body, but it also does a number on the skin.
When the body is under an excessive amount of stress, blood sugar is increased. When this happens, the excess sugar will damage the elastin and collagen fibers in the skin.
Stress will also increase the cortisol in the body, which is a component that helps the body retain it’s hydration.
Meditation, yoga or just taking out time for yourself to relax is crucial in reducing stress levels and keeping them at bay.
Conclusion
By incorporating the details above into a healthy skincare routine, you should be able to maintain a glowing and youthful appearance. Your skin will be firmer, and smoother and you will also decrease the risk of developing skin cancer.
If you are looking for other ways to firm and tighten your skin, you may want to consider incorporating facial exercise into your daily regimen. It is a simple method of tightening the skin and strengthening the facial muscles,
For further reading on the subject, check out: 10 Minute Facial Exercise That Will Make You Look Younger and How To Get That Non-Surgical Facelift Without Using Product.
Image: Flickr

Protein is one of the main necessary components of a healthy diet. Without protein, our muscles and bones would weaken, our organs wouldn’t work properly and our hair, nails and skin would be in poor condition.
Eating a lot of protein has many anti-aging benefits, not only on the inside of the body, but it will shine through to the outside as well.
Let’s take a deeper look into why protein is so important to your health:

Improves Muscle Health

You probably recall from health class that protein creates the building blocks of muscle. Without sufficient protein intake, your body won’t maintain it’s strength and lose its muscle mass.
It is very important to increase your protein intake if you are trying to lose weight. The protein will help keep your muscles strong, helping burn the extra fat and calories.
This study suggests that the same holds true if you are strength training and/or exercising. To build up muscle for endurance or weight lifting, protein is a must.

Increases Metabolism

It has been shown that increasing protein will increase the body’s metabolic rate. When this happens, our bodies burn more calories, which will jump start weight loss.
A study on the effects of protein on the body had some interesting findings. There were three groups of participants in this study, low, moderate and high protein intake. It was discovered that the participants who ate high protein over the eight week period, burned an average of 260 more calories than the low protein group. That is equal to about an hour of moderate exercise.

Healthier Hair, Nails and Skin

If you want luxurious locks, then consider adding some extra protein to your diet. It will help your hair to grow stronger, which prevents breakage. It also helps prevent hair loss. If you are regularly eating a lot of protein, you should notice that your hair is shinier and noticeably thicker over time.
Your fingernails are made with a protein called alpha-keratin. If there is a lack of protein in the diet, it can be easily seen in the condition of the nail. They may be thin, brittle, or even discolored. By adding more protein to your diet, your nails will be stronger, grow faster and have a healthy texture and color.
Skin consists of collagen, which is one of the key components to slow down the signs of aging. An ample amount of collagen will keep the skin looking plump, with minimal fine lines and wrinkles. Ingesting a lot of protein will help your body produce more collagen, keeping that youthful appearance that we all strive for.

Bone Health

When we think of healthy bones, we think of our mothers telling us to drink our milk. There is no doubt that calcium plays a major role in bone health, but one must also take protein intake into consideration.
This study reports that an intake of animal sourced protein in post menopausal women, reduced the risk of hip fractures. Another study revealed that elderly individuals with a low protein diet, had a greater risk for developing osteoporosis and fractures.
Conclusion
Increasing the protein in your diet can give your body the extra strength and nutrients that it needs to maintain health and outer beauty. By taking the above points into consideration and incorporating them into your daily lifestyle, you will see and feel a difference.
For further reading on how you can improve your health, the following articles may be of interest to you: What Foods To Eat More Of To Slow The Signs Of Aging and The Best Time To Start A Skin Care Routine
Image: Flickr

There are a number of things we can do to slow the signs of aging, but our diet is at the top of the list.
Incorporating specific foods into your lifestyle on a regular basis, will help keep your skin looking fresh, bright and youthful. Each of these items should be easy to find in and can be incorporated into your routine without missing a beat.
Let’s take a look at the best foods that will keep your skin looking bright and beautiful:

Omega Fatty Acids

There are three Omega Fatty Acids that are ideal for healthy, young looking skin. Consuming them, will help your skin become more hydrated and plump. In turn, it will lessen the appearance of wrinkles.
You will want to ingest items that are made up of healthy Omega -3, -6 and -9. Some examples of those foods are: avocado, olive oil, salmon, pine nuts, sunflower seeds, almonds and walnuts.

Anti- Oxidant Rich Foods

Consuming anti-oxidant rich foods can help reverse the signs of skin damage and aid in the prevention of further free radical damage from the environment.
Next time you go to the grocery store, spend time in the produce section and avoid the processed food aisle.
Vegetables that are vibrant in color are usually the ones that are chock full of anti-oxidants. Look for high anti-oxidant foods such as: kale, blueberries, dried red kidney beans, cranberries, artichoke and pecans.

Amino Acids

A sufficient amount of amino acid protein in your diet will improve your skin’s elasticity. The largest amount of amino acids are found in foods with the highest protein content.
Some choices that you may want to incorporate into your regular diet plan are: lean meats, fish, nuts, eggs, and seeds.
Ingesting the above foods will increase the production of collagen and elastin, which will give your skin a plumper and less wrinkled appearance.

Potassium Rich Foods

This article reveals that regular table salt will pull excess moisture from the body’s cells, leaving them dehydrated. Dehydrated and dry skin will create a wrinkled and aged appearance.
By switching to sea salt when cooking or for added taste, you will be adding potassium into your diet. You can reap the benefits and reduce dryness and wrinkles at the same time.
Other foods rich in potassium are: bananas, wild caught salmon, sweet potatoes, avocados and white beans.

Green Tea

Green Tea contains polyphenols and catechins that will aid in the prevention of hyper-pigmentation on the skin.
As we age, it is common to get dark spots or patches on our skin, so drinking green tea on a regular basis, will slow down or prevent this process from happening. It can help give us a more even skin tone, giving a more youthful appearance.
Green tea may also be applied topically and is an ingredient in particular sunscreen products. Use green tea internally and externally to get the full spectrum of benefits it has to offer.
Conclusion
When incorporating the above foods into your diet, over time you will notice a difference in your skin’s texture and appearance.
Food is not the only thing that will benefit your skin. You should also take care in other ways, such as wearing a high SPF sunscreen to prevent burning and further skin damage.
Additionally, this article states the importance of drinking a lot of water to prevent dehydration. It is recommended to drink two liters of water a day to be completely hydrated. Doing so will prevent dryness and make the skin look healthier.
For further reading on how to look younger and improve skin tone, these articles may be of interest to you: The Best Time To Start A Skin Care Routine and 10 Minute Facial Exercise That Will Help You Look Younger.
Image: Flickr

Image: Eva Cristescu

Many of us aren’t really afraid of aging. It’s the consequences of it that we’re more concerned of.
Of all the age-related changes, it’s the skin changes that bother many of us. Besides, who would want to see a reflection of one’s self with all the deep lines, uneven pigmentation, and dull skin?

What You Do Now Matters

Aging is inevitable. We all know that. But there’s a difference between embracing the natural changes brought by aging and forcing ourselves to embrace what our skin has become as a result of habits we had in our younger years.
You may not be aware of it but there are habits that can speed up the signs of aging. Some of these habits may even make them look worse.
Unhealthy habit #1: Heading outside without sunscreen
Did you know that unprotected sun exposure is one of the easiest ways to speed up skin aging? Without any form of skin protection, UV light exposure causes free radicals that damage your collagen, elastin, and even the skin cells themselves.
Collagen and elastin are important skin structures that that keep your skin elastic and firm. When damaged, they can lead to skin sagging and make those fine and deep lines more visible.
What you can do now:
Lather on sunscreen! Even if it looks cloudy outside, putting on sunscreen especially on exposed parts of your body can protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun.
When choosing a sunscreen, opt for one with a sun protective factor (SPF) of at least 30.
Unhealthy habit #2: Not getting enough sleep
Depriving yourself of your much-needed sleep isn’t just harmful to your health. It can also make you look older.
Just like other parts of your body, the skin also functions on a circadian rhythm. It does its repairing function at night time. When you’re skimping on sleep, you are throwing off the entire repair process, further stressing out your skin the following day.
What you can do now:
Try to get at least eight hours of sleep each night. And before you plop into your bed, make sure you get rid of your makeup, washed your face, and applied a moisturizer.
Unhealthy habit #3: Eating highly processed food
A diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugar isn’t good for your skin. These foods can cause a rapid spike in your blood sugar level.
Sugar molecules travel through the blood and link up with fats and protein. When they link up with collagen without an enzyme, it can trigger a process called glycation which can result to compromised circulation in the skin. The end result? Dry and dull-looking skin.
What you can do now:
Cut back on processed food and amp up your intake of nutrient-dense food like vegetables and fruits. They’re good for both your body and skin.
Unhealthy habit #4: Skipping your workouts
We all know that regular exercise is good for us but how often do we stay consistent in doing it?
If you’ve been neglecting this area of your health, then here’s another reason why you should get back to it: regular physical activity can keep your skin look healthier.
Exercise increases blood flow. This leads to a boost in oxygen level and elimination of any harmful waste product.
What you can do now:
Renew your gym membership!
If you’ve never been active, you can start small by doing regular walks or run.
Unhealthy habit #5: Smoking
Smoking can make you age faster. It constricts the blood vessels, cuts off the circulation, and causes a decrease in the delivery of oxygen and nutrients in the skin. Plus, tobacco is nothing but chemicals that cause damage to the collagen and elastin.
What you can do now:
Quit smoking. There’s no single benefit to tobacco smoking. It shortens your life and makes you older faster.
Are you guilty of any of these habits?

No one wants to start looking older. Unfortunately, you can’t stop time from moving forward. You can, however, follow some of the hottest tips for reducing the signs of aging. No matter how old you are, you can start using these tips to keep your skin in beautiful condition.
Follow Facial Exercises That Improve Skin Tone
Practicing a few simple facial exercises each day can improve your skin tone remarkably. Some of the most effective facial exercises to improve skin tone include:

• Fish lips
• Kiss face
• Whistler

For the fish lips exercise, suck in your cheeks while pushing your lips outward. Hold the position for at least 10 seconds. You should perform the technique three times per day, but take a rest between each round.
For extra benefits, move your cheek muscles while holding the fish lips pose.
To do the kiss face, pout your lips and try to smile as hard as you can. Hold the pose for 10 seconds, rest, and repeat twice. Again, you can get even more benefits by moving your cheek muscles while holding the kiss face pose.
Whistler is another easy exercise that can yield fast results. Start by making an “O” with your lips while you smile as hard as you can. Perform the exercise three times, taking short breaks between each round.
These three exercises will strengthen your cheek muscles and tighten your skin so you can avoid wrinkles. You won’t get the results you want by doing them occasionally, though. You have to commit to daily practice.
Use a Thermal Mask to Rejuvenate Skin
If you’ve tried injection products like Botox, you might want to switch to a thermal mask. You’ll get similar results without putting your health in danger. Keep in mind that Botox can cause side effects like double vision, headaches, neck pain, drooping eyelids and swelling.
Look for a thermal mask that contains natural ingredients. Some of the best products include ingredients such as collagen amino acids, sea salt, iron mineral powder and rosemary extract.
Heat masks work by improving blood flow to your skin’s surface. The increased circulation helps your muscles relax and gives your skin cells the nutrition that they need to stay healthy.
For most thermal masks, you only have to use the product once or twice per week to get the results you want. You can also combine them with other treatments for even better results.
Use Sunscreen Every Day
Exposure to the sun’s UVA rays can cause pre-mature signs of aging, including wrinkles and saggy skin. You can’t avoid going outside, but you can protect yourself from the sun by wearing sunscreen. Look for broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or above.
While you may worry most about the sun damaging your face, you should think about protecting other parts of your body, too. Hands, for instance, can get wrinkly over time. Make sure you apply sunscreen to all uncovered skin before you leave the house.
Don’t Underestimate the Power of Moisturizer
As skin ages, it often becomes dry. You rarely see young people with dry skin. In fact, many of them complain that there skin produces too much oil.
If you want to reduce the signs of aging, you have to make sure that your skin stays moisturized. Don’t just grab any old moisturizer off the drug store’s shelf, though. Look for products that include antioxidents and sun protection. If you have dry, oily, sensitive or itchy skin, then you should look for moisturizers designed specifically for your skin type.
You can’t stop the signs of aging, but you can slow them down. In some cases, you can even reduce signs of aging caused by dryness and sun exposure. Follow these four tips to keep your skin healthy and beautiful throughout your life.
Image by Cushy Spa

Image: Hans Pama

Aging is inevitable and is normal; what is not is premature aging.
Knowing the factors that contribute to it is essential in preventing it. Here are the top 8 things that cause premature aging:
1. Inflammatory foods 
Inflammation is the body’s normal response to injury. This is a normal process. However, when inflammation persists, this reparative process can do more harm than good.
It is believed that many of the age-related diseases are brought by chronic inflammation. These can be prevented though by making healthier lifestyle choices especially with food.
Instead of gorging on highly processed food, nutritionists recommend eating more whole foods which include fruits, vegetables, lean meat, and healthy fats.
2. Alcohol 
Excessive drinking can speed up your aging process.
Alcohol can have an adverse effect on your nutrition levels, including vitamin A which is vital for the regeneration of new skin cells.
Vitamin A is also essential for collagen production. Collagen is what keeps the skin taut and supple. Hence, when vitamin A is depleted, the collagen production will be affected, causing dry and dull-looking skin.
3. Stress 
Constant stress can take a toll on your overall health.
Job-related stress, for instance, can has a negative effect on the DNA of your cells.
Researchers found out that those who have the most work-related stress have the shortest telomeres, which cause the cells to get damaged or die.
4. Lack of sleep 
New study shows that the lack of sleep can cause the skin to age faster.
Researchers found out that those who are sleep deprived show advanced signs of skin aging. Poor sleepers also gave themselves worse assessment of their skin compared to those who are well-rested.
5. Unprotected sun exposure 
Sunbathing feels so good but doing it without any form of protection is the easiest way to speed up your skin’s aging process. It weakens your skin cells and blood vessels, causing your skin to look tanned and leathery.
The use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of at least 15 is the simplest and easiest way to protect the skin from the damaging effects of the sun.
6. Smoking 
Smoking is one of those habits you don’t want to get started with. Aside from increasing your risk of lung diseases and cancer, it can also age you.
Smoking affects the blood vessels, which deliver blood and nutrients all throughout the body. When the skin cells are deprived of their needed nutrients, you’ll start noticing the changes on your appearance – pale skin, uneven skin tone, sagging skin (as a result of damage to collagen and elastin), and appearance of age spots (smoking makes you more susceptible to having them).
7. Sedentary lifestyle 
Moderate intensity exercise for at least three times a week can have a rejuvenating effect on your skin.
In one study, researchers found out that aerobic exercises like HIIT (high-intensity interval training) can boost the cells’ ability to produce more proteins within their mitochondria, which can help stunt the aging process at a cellular level.
If you’re doing strength training, you’ll be happy to know that combining HIIT and strength training is highly recommended as we tend to lose muscle mass as we age.
8. Wrong type of makeup 
Makeup can do wonders in hiding your skin’s imperfections. However, using the wrong type of makeup can do more harm than good. In fact, some makeup can make you look older than your actual age.
Heavy foundations and powders, for instance, can settle in your wrinkles, accentuating the fine lines around your eyes and lips.
Unless you’d want to look five years older, opt for a foundation or powder with a lighter formula or for a tinted moisturizer that provides coverage while enhancing the luminosity of your skin.
 
Are you guilty in one or two of these habits? What are the skin changes have you noticed? Share your experiences below!