Skin aging is a prevalent problem especially after 40, 50 and even beyond 60+ years. Stress, modern-life activities and pollution, diet and many other factors are all accounting for how we look, especially when it comes to our skin.
No, you can’t turn back the hands of time—the clock only moves in one direction. You can, however, reverse the signs of aging and restore your skin’s natural vibrancy. All it takes is a few simple steps to younger, healthier skin. This article will discuss 5 ways you can reverse and prevent skin aging.
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#1 Wash with cold water
You’ve known the importance of washing your face for….well, forever. But did you know that there’s a right way and a wrong way to wash your face? There is. More specifically, temperature matters when you’re trying to reverse the signs of aging skin.
Water that is too hot or too cold can cause damage to the delicate capillaries in your top layer of skin. To prevent this, wash with cool water instead. You’ll avoid the capillary damage and the cool water will also help tighten your pores which can significantly affect how your skin looks and feels. You’re going to wash your face anyway. You might as well do it right.
#2 Have enough calcium in your diet
Calcium is an important element for the health of your bones, teeth, and organs. But did you know that calcium is also important for the health of your skin?
Most calcium in the skin is found in the epidermis (the outermost layer). It helps the skin regulate the speed at which new cells are generated and old cells are shed. Calcium also contributes to the production of sebum which functions as a natural moisture barrier. In essence, calcium helps to keep your skin moist and supple. If your body doesn’t get enough calcium, the skin can appear thin, dry, and fragile.
For the best results, consume 1,000-1,200 mg of calcium every day in the form of whole foods like cheese, yogurt, and milk. If lactose intolerance is a problem, try taking a calcium supplement.
#3 Eat plenty of vegetables and (some) fruits
Your skin constantly produces new cells, sloughs off old ones, and neutralizes antioxidants and other toxins so they don’t do permanent damage. One important product in that repair process is vitamin A. If your body doesn’t have the vitamin A it needs, your body’s natural resilience is impaired.
To help repair aging skin, consume foods that are high in vitamin A. Vegetables like spinach and sweet potatoes are high in vitamin A. And don’t forget about the fruit. Mangoes and watermelon are your best bets here. Try eating a spinach salad for lunch and snacking on a bowl of mango or watermelon in the afternoon.
#4 Limit coffee and soda
Coffee and soda are natural diuretics. That means that they pull water from your body and flush it out of the system. This can lead to dehydration which is bad for your skin.
Sure, you’re probably using a moisturizer in your daily skincare routine, but if you consume a lot of coffee or soda, those efforts are all for naught. It’s like trying to fill a glass with water when there’s a hole in the bottom. Everything you put in is just going to go right back out thanks to the diuretics in the drinks you consume. And if that wasn’t bad enough, the acidity of the coffee and soda can burn the calcium in your body. This leads to inflammation and redness in the skin.
Try limiting your intake to one coffee or one soda per day. If you can get rid of it completely, that’s all the better. Instead of coffee or soda, drink clear water…and be sure to get enough (at least 8 cups a day).
#5 Get enough sleep each night (and day, if possible)
The best place to start for your skin — and for your overall health — is to get the recommended amount of rest each night.
The results of poor sleep for your skin are numerous and significant, including:
- skin that ages faster
- skin that doesn’t recover as well from environmental stressors like sun exposure
- less satisfaction with your skin quality
Sometimes you might have an off day but you should average seven to nine hours of sleep. If you’re wondering how to reset your internal clock and catch up on rest, try sleeping in on the weekends in order to reset your circadian rhythm (your natural sleep cycle).
Embrace healthy sleep as a way to healthy skin
In 2019, the skin care industry will see an estimated $130 billion dollars of global sales, in the form of lotions, fillers, serums, and scrubs. But while we often spend a lot of our time layering and lasering our skin, paying attention to how we treat our skin during sleeping hours shouldn’t be overlooked.
It’s not just for a glow or looking youthful, it’s about maintaining your health in body, mind, and skin for years to come. A few wrinkles never hurt anyone — in fact, they’re usually a sign of happy years lived.