Do you wish you could turn back the clock and look younger? Aging is a natural process, but it doesn't mean we have to look our age. There are several things you can do to look younger than your years.
As you age, your skin loses elasticity, and wrinkles and fine lines start to appear. You also tend to gain weight and lose muscle mass, which can make us look older. While you cannot stop the aging process, you can certainly slow it down and look your best at any age.
Looking younger than your age is not just about having good genes; it's about taking care of yourself and making smart lifestyle choices. From skincare tips to exercise routines, there are several things you can do to look and feel younger. In this blog, we'll share some of the best tips and tricks for looking younger than your age. So, if you're ready to turn back the clock and look your best, keep reading.
Why does your skin age and what can you do about it?
Issue 1: Hormonal changes
Did you know that during menopause, your period stops and there's a reduction in testosterone and estrogen? This decrease in estrogen means less hyaluronic acid, which is important for keeping our skin hydrated. Hyaluronic acid acts like a water magnet, filling the space between collagen and elastin fibers in the dermis. When we produce less of it, our skin feels dry and dull as we age. This can lead to rapid aging, resulting in more wrinkles, dryness, and decreased firmness and elasticity. Don't let menopause get the best of your skin - take care of it!
Solution:
If you're looking to keep your skin looking youthful and healthy, you need to pay attention to humectants in your skincare. Hyaluronic acid, urea, and glycerine are all essential ingredients in anti-aging skincare products. These humectants help to keep your skin moisturized and looking plump, which can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. So, if you want to keep your skin looking its best, make sure to incorporate humectants into your skincare routine!
Issue 2: Loss of collagen
Collagen is a structural protein in the dermis that provides strength. However, the rate of collagen formation decreases with age, while the rate of breakdown increases. This creates a dual effect, resulting in wrinkles and sagging of the skin.
Solution:
Collagen stimulation with tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (fat-soluble vitamin C).
Issue 3: Affects Skin Barrier
When the concentration of fats decreases, the skin can become drier and less protective. This can lead to a reduction in the skin's ability to function as a barrier, resulting in more reactive skin that takes longer to recover.
Solution:
For post-menopausal individuals, the final step in their skincare routine should involve applying a facial oil. This helps to retain water molecules in the skin, particularly if they are exposed to heating or air conditioning.
Issue 4: Increased hyperpigmentation
As you age, the number of melanocytes in your skin decreases. However, the remaining melanocytes increase in size. This can result in your skin appearing paler with larger pigmented spots.
Solution:
Tyrosinase inhibitors are a crucial aspect of any skincare routine. It's crucial to understand that aging is caused by various factors and requires a comprehensive defensive approach in both skincare and lifestyle. Premature aging is caused by intrinsic and extrinsic factors
What can you do to decrease the risk of free radicals and premature aging?
- Use sunscreen
- Use antioxidants on your skin
- Reduce inflammation
- Reduce stress
- Antioxidants
- Skin is constantly being damaged by UV rays in your daily life.
- Antioxidants neutralizes free radicals, reducing damage from sun’ s radiation
Skincare antioxidants
Vitamin A,C and E are key for anti-aging
Green tea extracts, ferulic acid, and niacinamide are amazing antioxidants. We need both water soluble antioxidants such as Vitamins, A and C to protect cytoplasm in cells and fat soluble antioxidants to protect the cell membranes such as vitamin E this is why using a combination of antioxidants is most powerful approach
Food rich in antioxidants
- Wheatgrass juice
- Freshly squeezed juices
- Grapes (contains resveratrol)
Reduce inflammation
Chronic inflammation speeds up aging. Free radicals are triggered by inflammation and activate the inflammatory cascade. This leads to enzymes breaking down tissues, including collagen and elastin. These two components contribute to the appearance of plump skin.
The most common sources of of chronic inflammation are;
- UV radiation
- Heat
- Stress
- Smoke pollution
- Cosmetics or perfume
- A diet with high sugar content
- Alcohol
- Harsh weather
How to reduce and reverse the effects of chronic inflammation
Making lifestyle changes can reduce and reverse chronic inflammation. Anti-aging skincare routines can only do so much.
Anti inflammatory ingredients for your diet to slow down aging
Reducing sugar intake is important as it can attach to collagen and reduce its elasticity. Additionally, sugar increases inflammation in the body. To counter this, incorporating anti-inflammatory foods such as ginger, onion, and garlic in cooking can be helpful.
Skincare ingredients that help boost collagen
- Vitamin A,B,C,D and E
- Epigallocatechin Gallate from green tea
- Peptides
- Trace elements including copper, iron, zinc and selenium.
Reduce your stress levels
When experiencing stress, the body produces cortisol and adrenaline. This can cause an increase in blood sugar and insulin levels, leading to inflammation that can damage the skin. Additionally, cortisol decreases the amount of hyaluronic acid in the body, resulting in dry and dull skin.
Anti aging step by step Routine
These anti aging ingredients should all be present in the skincare products you use;
- Vitamins A,B,C and E
- Green tea extract
- Liquorice extract
- Ferulic acid
- Ergothioneine
Your skincare routine should include products that are ideally;
- Fragrance free
- Free of drying alchoholss
- Free of essential oils
- Avoid harsh acids.
AM Routine
Step 1: Cleanse to wash away actives from the night before and any other dirt . Avoid soap and sodium lauryl sulfate.
Step 2: Moisturize with a fatty emollient and humectant such as ceramides , peptides , urea and hyaluronic acid.
Step 3: Apply a physical SPF 50 with zinc oxide to prevent any melasma and antioxidants with a skin neutral pH such as Vitamin E , green tea extract or resveratrol. This will help mop up any free radical that develop during the day.
PM Routine
Step 1: Double cleanse. Use an oil cleanser first to melt away makeup and sunscreen then use a micellar gel wash to cleanse and hydrate your skin
Step 2: Apply a light, hydrating non alcohol toner with humectants soothers and brighteners.
Step 3: Use a gentle AHA exfoliator that includes mandelic or lactic acid
Step 4: Apply an antioxidant serum with Vitamin A,C,E and green tea extract.
Step 5: Next , top off with a moisturizer that contains peptides and ceramides
Step 6: Lastly, finish with a facial oil such as squalene, marula oil, hemp seed oil or rosehip oil. Actives within the product should include tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
Lets understand the dynamics of skincare across the decades;
Reference: "Skin Revolution" by Dr. Vanita Rattan
7 Effective Tips to Look Younger Than Your Age
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Prioritize Skincare:
Maintaining youthful-looking skin requires a consistent skincare routine. This routine should include cleansing your face twice a day, regular exfoliation, and using a moisturizer with SPF to protect against harmful UV rays. Antioxidants, like Vitamin C, should also be incorporated into your routine to combat free radicals and promote collagen production, which keeps your skin plump and firm.
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Stay Hydrated:
Maintaining healthy and youthful skin requires hydration. Drinking enough water throughout the day is essential to keep your skin hydrated, flush out toxins, and promote a natural glow. You can also use Ningen Vitamin C & E Face serum and eat foods rich in water content, such as watermelon and cucumber, to help keep your skin healthy.
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Eat a Balanced Diet:
Maintaining a youthful appearance requires a well-balanced diet. Nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains should be included in your meals. Antioxidant-rich foods, such as berries, leafy greens, and nuts, can protect your skin from damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress.
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Exercise Regularly:
Regular exercise has numerous benefits for both your health and appearance. To achieve these benefits, engage in activities like cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and flexibility exercises. These activities promote blood circulation, muscle tone, and a healthy complexion. Moreover, exercise releases endorphins, which can reduce stress and improve your mood.
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Protect Your Skin from the Sun:
Premature aging can be caused by sun damage. To protect your skin, wear sunscreen with a high SPF, even on cloudy days. Try the Ningen Sun Care range for effective results. Besides, protect yourself by wearing clothing that covers your skin, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses. Avoid tanning beds and seek shade during peak sun hours.
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Get Sufficient Sleep:
Getting enough sleep is essential for your well-being and can greatly affect your appearance. Insufficient sleep can cause dark circles under your eyes, lackluster skin, and an overall fatigued look. It's recommended to aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to allow your body and skin to regenerate, resulting in a refreshed and youthful appearance.
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Maintain a Positive Mindset:
Maintaining a positive mindset can affect your overall appearance. Stress and negativity can cause premature aging and affect your well-being. You can release stress with meditation, yoga, or hobbies you enjoy. Surround yourself with positive influences and be grateful, as it can show in your appearance.
Suffice to say that it is impossible to halt the aging process, but we can make lifestyle choices to appear younger than our age. Skincare should be a top priority, along with a balanced diet, regular exercise, sun protection, adequate sleep, and a positive mindset. These tips can help enhance your natural beauty, build confidence, and gracefully accept the aging process. Remember, age is just a number, and you have the ability to look and feel your best at any point in life.
