10 New Ways To Younger-Looking Skin
Some unusual tips to make your skin look youthful
Some unusual tips to make your skin look youthful
A day at the mall is incomplete without a saleswoman pitching a new anti-ageing cream that “dramatically reduces wrinkles” or has “rare ingredients”. But that can’t be all there is to keeping wrinkles at bay. While there’s a lot riding on that jar of cream you choose to grow old with, there’s much more to the skin and the rate at which it ages. Many things are within your control to help you prevent your skin from sagging, avoid the appearance of fine lines and the cruel onset of wrinkles. Here, we have put together a list of 10 things, from simple habits to elaborate rituals, which help you save face and keep your youthful visage.
1. Keep the hands off
We express our feelings through our bodies. When we are worried, our hand automatically reaches our forehead, when shocked or surprised, it covers our mouth; when we are bored, we cup our face with our hands. We keep touching our facial skin through the course of the day and this actually hampers the health of the skin, even if you wash your hands countless times a day. The possible reason is bacterial infection, which may cause breakouts. When the skin is frequently touched, we also have a tendency to scratch it and squeeze the eruptions if any. It is never recommended to touch the skin frequently. For the same reason, always wash the hands thoroughly before washing your face.
We express our feelings through our bodies. When we are worried, our hand automatically reaches our forehead, when shocked or surprised, it covers our mouth; when we are bored, we cup our face with our hands. We keep touching our facial skin through the course of the day and this actually hampers the health of the skin, even if you wash your hands countless times a day. The possible reason is bacterial infection, which may cause breakouts. When the skin is frequently touched, we also have a tendency to scratch it and squeeze the eruptions if any. It is never recommended to touch the skin frequently. For the same reason, always wash the hands thoroughly before washing your face.
2. Lesser the glare, lesser the scare
Direct sunlight is not the only form of light that ages our skin. Light bulbs at home, sunlight streaming through the windows and even the glare from televisions and computer screens accelerate ageing. Recent studies reveal that non-LCD and LED screens emit UV rays. Choose a day cream with a basic SPF of 15
even if you don’t plan to step out. At night, dim the lights when they are not required. Not only will it decrease photo-ageing, it will also be good for your sleep cycle.
Direct sunlight is not the only form of light that ages our skin. Light bulbs at home, sunlight streaming through the windows and even the glare from televisions and computer screens accelerate ageing. Recent studies reveal that non-LCD and LED screens emit UV rays. Choose a day cream with a basic SPF of 15
even if you don’t plan to step out. At night, dim the lights when they are not required. Not only will it decrease photo-ageing, it will also be good for your sleep cycle.
3. Get a head start
Prevention is better than cure. The skin starts losing its elasticity and collagen levels from age 25, though you may not see pronounced effects until a decade later. Don’t wait to spot the wrinkles first and then think of what to do about it. Starting an anti-ageing skincare regimen from age 25 will help you look 25 for a long time. This is all the more important if you have dry skin as the wrinkles and fine lines set in faster for this skin type. Formulations with antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, vitamin A, C and E are your best bet.
Prevention is better than cure. The skin starts losing its elasticity and collagen levels from age 25, though you may not see pronounced effects until a decade later. Don’t wait to spot the wrinkles first and then think of what to do about it. Starting an anti-ageing skincare regimen from age 25 will help you look 25 for a long time. This is all the more important if you have dry skin as the wrinkles and fine lines set in faster for this skin type. Formulations with antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, vitamin A, C and E are your best bet.
4. Set the trap
Moisturising alone won’t work. But doing it well will. For hydrating the skin optimally, what is more important than the moisturiser you use is how well your skin holds on to it and prevents it from
evaporating into the atmosphere. Always apply it within minutes of taking a bath (or on damp skin) to trap the water for a longer time.
Moisturising alone won’t work. But doing it well will. For hydrating the skin optimally, what is more important than the moisturiser you use is how well your skin holds on to it and prevents it from
evaporating into the atmosphere. Always apply it within minutes of taking a bath (or on damp skin) to trap the water for a longer time.
5. Take care of the extras
Apart from your age, there are other subtle giveaways of age like crinkled eyes, dry ears, wrinkled skin on the neck, and hands ravaged by fine lines. Pay close attention to these. Use as much of your skincare products on your neck as you do on your face. The skin around the eyes is the most delicate on your body, so spend a few more seconds massaging the creams in this area and protect them with sunglasses when outdoors. Lightly moisturise the skin on your ears, too. Hands also need special attention as they don’t have oil glands of their own and need external moisture to remain supple.
Apart from your age, there are other subtle giveaways of age like crinkled eyes, dry ears, wrinkled skin on the neck, and hands ravaged by fine lines. Pay close attention to these. Use as much of your skincare products on your neck as you do on your face. The skin around the eyes is the most delicate on your body, so spend a few more seconds massaging the creams in this area and protect them with sunglasses when outdoors. Lightly moisturise the skin on your ears, too. Hands also need special attention as they don’t have oil glands of their own and need external moisture to remain supple.
6. Kick the butt
The most effective way of looking older quicker is to put a cigarette between your lips. Smoking is a definite contributor to ageing skin. It narrows the tiny blood vessels in the skin’s outermost layers, which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and vital nutrients. Smoking also damages
collagen and elastin, the fibres that give the skin its strength and elasticity.
The most effective way of looking older quicker is to put a cigarette between your lips. Smoking is a definite contributor to ageing skin. It narrows the tiny blood vessels in the skin’s outermost layers, which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and vital nutrients. Smoking also damages
collagen and elastin, the fibres that give the skin its strength and elasticity.
7. Fortify your frame
Ever noticed how your grandparents have ‘sunken’ eyes and cheeks? Not only do we lose elastin and collagen as we age, we also lose bone. And yes, that also includes the bones on your face. According to a study by the University of Rochester’s Medical Center, our bone structure is overhauled every decade or so. With time, our cheek bones deteriorate, eye sockets become bigger and the jaw slackens, making it look like the skin is ‘hanging’ on our facial bones. While all other age-related issues can be sorted with surgical and non-surgical procedures, nothing can be done about bone loss. The only solution is to supplement your diet with ample calcium and vitamin D to uphold the bone structure.
Ever noticed how your grandparents have ‘sunken’ eyes and cheeks? Not only do we lose elastin and collagen as we age, we also lose bone. And yes, that also includes the bones on your face. According to a study by the University of Rochester’s Medical Center, our bone structure is overhauled every decade or so. With time, our cheek bones deteriorate, eye sockets become bigger and the jaw slackens, making it look like the skin is ‘hanging’ on our facial bones. While all other age-related issues can be sorted with surgical and non-surgical procedures, nothing can be done about bone loss. The only solution is to supplement your diet with ample calcium and vitamin D to uphold the bone structure.
8. Massage away
Facial skin massage with a moisturising agent enhances blood supply to the skin, making it supple and preventing premature ageing. But tread with caution, too much could worsen adult acne. Make sure to use creams labelled ‘non-comedogenic’, which doesn’t clog pores, to avoid contact allergic dermatitis. People suffering from eczema or acne should avoid facial massages. Good lubrication is the key to a good massage. Aloe Vera and cucumber gels are ideal for oily skin and don’t induce problems like acne and white heads. For dry skin, jojoba oil is a good option.
Facial skin massage with a moisturising agent enhances blood supply to the skin, making it supple and preventing premature ageing. But tread with caution, too much could worsen adult acne. Make sure to use creams labelled ‘non-comedogenic’, which doesn’t clog pores, to avoid contact allergic dermatitis. People suffering from eczema or acne should avoid facial massages. Good lubrication is the key to a good massage. Aloe Vera and cucumber gels are ideal for oily skin and don’t induce problems like acne and white heads. For dry skin, jojoba oil is a good option.
9. Defy gravity
The force of gravity acting against our bodies is the primal cause of ageing. Japanese studies reveal that the higher up we are, the greater is the force of gravity on us and in turn, our skin. Since we can’t elope to the moon (or get a home on the ground floor) to stay forever young, we can try floor exercises that have us in a horizontal position. The yoga posture called shirshasana (head stand) is ideal, but takes a lot of time to master.
The force of gravity acting against our bodies is the primal cause of ageing. Japanese studies reveal that the higher up we are, the greater is the force of gravity on us and in turn, our skin. Since we can’t elope to the moon (or get a home on the ground floor) to stay forever young, we can try floor exercises that have us in a horizontal position. The yoga posture called shirshasana (head stand) is ideal, but takes a lot of time to master.
10. A colourful plate
To prevent sagging of skin, one should follow a diet which is rich in antioxidants as they scavenge and eliminate the free radicals and minimise their detrimental effect on ageing. Antioxidants like beta carotenes, vitamin C and E, coenzyme Q10 and omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in delaying ageing. A variety of colours in your diet ensures supple skin. Binge on berries, pomegranates, grapes, salmon, oranges, tomatoes, carrots, spinach, beans, ginger, walnuts, dried apricots, green tea and flaxseeds to keep people guessing your age.
To prevent sagging of skin, one should follow a diet which is rich in antioxidants as they scavenge and eliminate the free radicals and minimise their detrimental effect on ageing. Antioxidants like beta carotenes, vitamin C and E, coenzyme Q10 and omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in delaying ageing. A variety of colours in your diet ensures supple skin. Binge on berries, pomegranates, grapes, salmon, oranges, tomatoes, carrots, spinach, beans, ginger, walnuts, dried apricots, green tea and flaxseeds to keep people guessing your age.
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