As we age our skin loses elasticity, collagen, hydration and so many other nutrients found more readily during our youth. We start getting deeper lines and liver spots. Blemishes take longer to heal and our skin feels more delicate and fragile. All these things are part of our natural progression in life and we should try to embrace them and accept them. There is however help at hand and it's often closer and easier than you think.
Let's dive straight in.....
Drink More Water
This is skin hydration 101 and we all know it. How much is enough? More than you are currently drinking! Fill up a water bottle in the morning, and again 2 or 3 times during the day. Make sure you drink each bottle. Fresh, un-flavoured, room temperature water is best.
Choose Natural
Read body and skincare labels. Make sure the products you are putting on your skin are natural. Be careful, as many ranges claim to be natural, but have ingredients that are dubious at best. ‘Fragrances’ for example are often chemicals that may have a high toxic load. High amounts of genuine plant oils are what you are aiming for. Pro-Biotics, natural stabilizers and enzymes occurring in nature, are all good ingredients to look out for.
Cleanse, Cleanse, Cleanse
Try using an oil cleanser. These are available for all skin types and nourish deeply while cleansing your skin. Cleanse EVERY morning and EVERY night. Double cleanse as often as you can. Use natural plant-based products. By doing this you will be reducing the number of toxins you add to your skin.
Moisturise your skin
All skin types, as well as skins of all ages, need moisture. (See point 1!!). We need to add moisture to your skin topically every day. Use natural-based products and look at including serum in your routine if you don’t already.
Remember to use upward movements when massaging and dabbing in your moisturisers and serums.
Exfoliate
We all know we should be doing this more than we probably are. Removing dead and dry skin cells from your face and body is one of the best ways to expose bright, new skin.
Exfoliating gives your skin a fighting chance.
Remember your neck and chest when you cleanse, moisturise and exfoliate. They are part of your face too and are a clear giveaway to ageing if they are left out of this process.
Omega Fatty Acid Supplements
These are excellent for your skin and so many other things. Find out more and look into a good brand of reputable Omegas.
Use Less Make-Up
As we get older, less really is more.
Use a light foundation or even better a tinted moisturizer, mascara and light neutral shades of eye makeup. Natural lip balm with some lipstick on top, or simply a natural tinted lip balm.
Natural Mineral Make-up
This is the ideal. Mineral make-up or natural make-up brands offer solutions that lower your toxic load and are gentle on your skin. Google good brands in your area.
Wash Your Make-Up Off Every Night
Make-up will dry out your skin overnight and clog pores. None of this is good and leads to premature ageing and blemishes. Your skin restores itself while you sleep. Help this process, don’t hinder it.
Silk Pillows
These are wonderful to help reduce wrinkles. If you don’t have a silk pillowcase try placing a silk scarf over your pillow. If you’ve ever woken up from cotton covers to extra creases on your cheeks, you will understand why silk is such a wonder.
Sleep
With regards to sleep, let’s get one thing straight. The more sleep the better, when it comes to helping with ageing skin. Try and sleep on your back as much as possible.
(one of Cloepatras tricks apparently, along with bathing in milk!!)
And while we are talking about bathing – if you are lucky enough to be able to relax in a bath, make sure you add bath oils. Natural oils, of plant origin only. Your skin will thank you. Baobab, Jojoba and Sweet Almond for deep hydration. Then add a few drops of calming essential oils like Chamomile, Rose Geranium, Lavender or Neroli. Bliss.
Skin Food
So important and so often forgotten. As important as what we put on our skin, is what we put into our bodies. The rule of thumb is to go for the brightest fruits and veggies. Berries are loaded with antioxidants, spinach, broccoli, citrus fruit as well as most nuts and herbal teas. This is where smoothies and juices come into their own. Include them in your daily diet if you can. It’s well worth it, for so much more than just your skin.
Avoid processed foods
Yes, I know this is hard, but simply cutting back is a huge step in the right direction.
Sugar
Is the enemy. Full-stop.
Ditch Straws
Not only the environment will benefit from this one (if you are still using plastic straws!!) but the fine lines forming around your mouth will too.
Brighten up your smile
Whiter teeth mean a brighter look overall. Look into natural teeth whitening options such as baking soda.
(Try mixing 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of water and brush your teeth with the paste about 3 or 4 times a week)
Sun Damage
We know this is bad but are also told that Vit D is good for our skin (and it is). The trick is getting enough, but not too much. An hour a day in the morning or late afternoon sunlight is sufficient. Mid-day sun in Summer may well be too harsh for your skin and cause more damage than good.
Sun Screen
Yip! Wear natural sunscreen under your make-up every day. Summer and Winter. The UV damage one can get during Winter will astound you.
If you must tan, fake it. There are enough brilliant (natural) products on the market today. And please DON’T USE SUNBEDS, no matter how much ‘they’ say there is no skin damage caused.
Wear Sun Glasses
Much like a straw causes fine lines around your mouth, so does squinting create fine lines around your eyes. A good pair of UV sunglasses will a) protect the sensitive skin around your eye area, and b) help prevent squinting which causes your eyes to scrunch up, and creates fine lines and crows-feet.
Vitamin C
Amongst so many wonderful vitamins and minerals for skin health, brightening and anti-ageing, Vit C stands out like a beacon of light. Long considered to be royalty in this area and for good reason. Just remember that Vit C comes in many forms and several plant oils are loaded with Vit C and may be better than manufactured equivalents being added to products.
For example, Baobab Oil which has 6 times more Vit C (per quantity) than oranges.
Use Hand Cream
Old looking hands are a giveaway. Always use hand cream to nourish the delicate skin on the back of your hands. Use a natural product, possibly with sunscreen or one that focuses on anti-ageing and dark spots.
When applying hand cream put it on the back of your hands first, and rub all over your wrists and fingers. Then wipe the front of your hands over the back of your hands. The backs of your hands need far more nourishment than your palms do.
Use A Humidifier
Best practice is to use one at night in your bedroom. Colder weather brings dry skin, as the amount of moisture in the air is lower. A humidifier puts moisture back into the air, which really helps with dry skin and therefore anti-ageing conditions.
Use Oils
Finally, if you don’t already use a Face Serum or Body Oil, now is the time to start. This rich concentration of natural oils is so beneficial to your skin and is key when it comes to nourishment and skin nutrition.