Looking for the fountain of youth? With all the new formulas and findings today, it's hard to know what really works. Well, you can relax. Here are proven ways to reduce wrinkles and remove age spots and tested old myths for you. Check out our my 10 ways.
1. Don't overwash. You may be surprised by this skin-care tip, but cutting down on cleansing could save your skin. In "How to Wash Your Face," Barney Kenet, M.D., stresses the threat of overwashing. The skin's natural oils protect skin and keep it moist. Washing your face too often strips the skin of these vital oils and can cause dryness and irritation. This may cause your skin to look dull and aged. Staying clean is important, but so is being gentle to your skin.
2. Do yoga for your face. As strange as it sounds, face yoga is a new anti-aging trend. Across the country, yoga instructors are teaching special face yoga classes or incorporating it into their regular routines. Experts say that a lot of tension can be carried in the face. They suggest that performing these simple facial exercises may improve the look of your face and help you appear younger. So, get stretching!
3. Eat the right produce. Many fruits and vegetables contain antioxidant compounds that are great for your skin. Research from the Berlin Charité hospital found that skin with high levels of antioxidants had fewer wrinkles and therefore looked younger. Include more produce in your diet, and you may be on your way to improved skin.
4. Moisturize. Moisturizing is vital for healthy skin, especially during the fall and winter months. As you grow older, your skin dries out. Moisturizers soften lines and wrinkles and keep skin moist for a healthy glow. Protect against future wrinkles and keep skin hydrated by using a daily moisturizer with SPF 15 or higher.
5. Feast on fish. Increasing fish in your diet can be great for your skin. Salmon is full of antioxidants and is the all-around best fish to eat for your skin. Try adding tuna on top of a salad or cooking salmon with veggies in a stir-fry or on skewers.
6. Kick your bad habits. For years, experts have said that smoking causes facial wrinkles and premature aging. Now, recent studies suggest that smoking cigarettes also may age skin on your body. As if that's not bad enough, the American Academy of Dermatology says that smoking can worsen the wrinkles you have now. Improve your health and your appearance by quitting smoking.
7. Get your beauty sleep. Nighttime is your body's time to mend and renew your skin. Depriving your body of sufficient sleep may also be depriving your skin of the time it needs to repair. The best time for the skin to absorb facial products is at night. To make the most of this time, apply a nighttime skin treatment and sink into bed ready to fight aging.
8. Hydrate. Yes, the rumors are true. "Drinking at least eight full glasses of pure, filtered water a day is crucial to keeping your skin well hydrated, smooth and silky," says dermatologist Jeanette Jacknin, M.D., author of "Smart Medicine for Your Skin." "If your skin is dry, fine lines and roughness develop, and your skin will look older and less radiant." Increase your water intake by drinking a glass each morning when you wake up. Carry a bottle of water with you and refill it throughout the day. Order water when you eat out and try adding a lemon or lime to liven up the taste.
9. Try a home remedy. To get a healthier glow at home, try using a natural alpha hydroxy acid. Gently smooth the inside of a lemon, lime or papaya peel over your skin in the evening before going to bed to effectively slough off dead skin cells and reveal fresh, new, radiant cells underneath. You also can lighten age spots with fresh lemon juice applied twice a day with a cotton swab.
10. Get out of the sun. Without sun protection, people who spend lots of time outdoors often develop skin that makes them look older than their actual age. Staying out of the sun is ideal, but if you need to be in the sun, sunscreen is a must for preventing skin damage. The most important habit to develop to prevent wrinkles and age spots is to apply a full-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15 or greater to your face and hands every morning, even if you are just driving to work in the car.
