Better skin tomorrow starts with healthy habits today. Try these five simple ways to protect your skin from premature aging:
1. Put down the cigarette. Smoking exposes your skin to harmful free radicals that can speed up the aging process, resulting in deep wrinkles, discoloration and dryness. Not a smoker? Beware of secondhand smoke, as this can have a similar effect on your skin.
2. Enrich your diet. A balanced diet rich in nutrients ensures that your skin receives the nourishment it needs to stay young and healthy. Some skin-supporting super foods to consider include blueberries (packed with protective antioxidants), walnuts and flaxseeds (overflowing with omega-3 essential fatty acids) and whole grains (a good source of skin-smoothing selenium).
3. Take protective measures. The sun’s damaging rays can cause a wide array of problems for your skin, including wrinkles, spots, dryness and discoloration. Always protect your skin by staying indoors or wearing protective clothing and applying sunscreen at least 15 minutes before exposure to the sun.
4. Drink up. Hydrate your skin from within by drinking at least eight glasses of water per day. You may also want to try sipping on green tea, which contains powerful antioxidant compounds that can help shield the skin from damage caused by UV rays.
5. Don’t stress. Stress can lead to more than a furrowed brow. Research has found that stress can actually weaken the skin’s ability to protect itself and recover from irritation or injury. Need to relax? Read about three easy tips to tame daily tension.