As we age, fine lines, wrinkles and creases begin to develop. For most, this is an unwanted change. In addition, we may begin to have sun spots surface from sun damage we have accrued over the years, crows feet (lines around the eyes) and other changes in our skin.
It’s no wonder, the anti-aging market is booming with hundreds of thousands of treatments and products claiming to reverse or mask the signs of aging. Here are some of the best anti-aging defense tips, to help you combat the inevitable signs!
Increase Your H2O Intake!
It’s no secret, your body thrives off of water. It is, after all, the biggest makeup of the body. Properly hydrating your body, will aid in optimizing skin health and warding off definitive lines and wrinkles. Drink at least, eight glasses of eight ounces of water per day. Limit or avoid sugar substitutes and caffeinated beverages. To spruce up your water, consider adding a cucumber, lemon, lime or even an orange wedge, to add a little zest and flavor.
Don’t Pucker Up!
Water bottles have become overwhelmingly popular over the last several years. In addition to the environmental disaster the plastic bottles may bring, the constant puckering, or pursing of the lips, can result in fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth’s edges. Opt for a reusable water bottle that has a squirting nozzle. Hold the bottle above your mouth and squirt it into the mouth to stay hydrated, rather than puckering up for it.
Wear Sunblock!
Sunblock is imperative for guarding your skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. Even when the sun is not visibly shining down on you, the rays still are and you should wear sunscreen daily throughout the year. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF 30 (sun protection factor). Apply it after your daily moisturizer. During times you are exposed to direct sunlight, or are in and out of the water, reapply frequently. Many people have sunscreen sensitivity.
Ingredients that are known skin irritants in sunscreen include:
- Cinnamates
- Avobenzone
- Oxybenzone
- 4-isopropyl-dibenzoylmethane
- PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid)
If you experience an allergic reaction or sensitivity to sunscreen, speak with a dermatologist immediately, to determine a proper treatment plan for guarding against the sun.
Stay Out of Tanning Beds!
Stay out of tanning beds! They cause signs of premature aging, leathery skin and increase your risk of developing skin cancer! Is a short lived tan today really worth the risks and damages of tomorrow?
Eat Your Omega-3’s
Omega-3 fatty acids are an anti-inflammatory food. A healthy dose of omega-3’s can help promote skin health. Great sources of these fatty acids, include: mackerel, lake trout, sardines, salmon, white albacore tuna, hemp hearts, walnuts and avocados.
Moisturize Religiously
The best defense against showing signs of aging, is a moisturizing routine. The best skin care products for anti-aging will contain ceramides. Ceramides are lost as we age and make up 47% of the skin. By using a ceramide cream, you replenish lost essential skin lipids and help the skin’s barrier to repair itself. Moisturize at least twice per day. Once, 3-5 minutes after your shower for optimal moisture lock.
Dr. Cheryl Lee Eberting is a board certified dermatologist who has dedicated her career to research and treatment of skin ailments. She writes regularly at cherylleemd.com