Here's How You Can Slow Down Your Skin Aging Process

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Skin aging is a natural process and no one can reverse or stop that process completely. All you can do is reduce the speed of aging and prevent any further skin problems.

Aging is caused by a range of physical and psychological sources. Our body is made up of cells and these cells multiply repeatedly. But there is a set amount of times that the cells can multiply before it dies. So, the more the number of cells is damaged, the sooner the body starts showing signs of aging.

When you are young, the body has no problem repairing damaged skin cells but as you age, the repair system loses its efficiency and the skin gets thinner, loses its collagen, and develops fine lines and wrinkles.

Wrinkles and fine lines are not the only symptoms of aging. Other things like hyperpigmentation, dark spots, sun spots, uneven texture, and tone are also some signs of aging.

We all want to slow this process. But the question is what can slow the process? It’s your actions that will either accelerate or put a brake on different aspects of aging.

So here are a few lifestyle changes that will help you in fighting back against aging –

1. A Healthy Diet

It is no shocker that a healthy and balanced diet can do wonders for your body, be it your skin or any other body part.

A diet high in inflammatory content can speed up the aging process. These contents affect the telomere length. Telomeres are found at the end of chromosomes and protect cell division.

The length of the telomere is like the clock of the skin – the shorter the telomere, the older the cell. An inflammatory diet shortens the length of telomeres and thus premature aging.

Some food items that increase inflammation are –

Added sugar food items like beverages, pastries, and desserts
Trans fat found in fried food like processed snack food, donut, and margarine
Processed meat like bologna, sausage, bacon, salami, etc
Food items that contain refined carbohydrates like white rice, white potatoes, bread and crackers made from white flour, etc
Food items that contain excess amounts of omega-6 fatty acids like mayonnaise, salad dressings, vegetable oils, etc

Instead, you can consume a Mediterranean diet that contains healthy fats. These fats include omega-3-fatty acids which impact your health and skin aging positively.

2. Physical Movement

Like consuming a healthy diet, exercising daily also has its benefits in delaying the aging process. Do any aerobic activity that causes your heart to beat faster. It is one of the best ways to reverse aging.

3. Sunscreen

Most people will be shocked to know that UV rays play a role in your aging. By using an SPF of 15 or above, you can save your skin from premature aging. This is one of the most effective and powerful products which will slow the process of aging.

4. Smoking

We all know smoking is injurious to health. If you smoke, you are not only inviting health problems but skin-related problems like premature skin aging to yourself.

Cigarettes contain thousands of chemicals and smoking those chemicals takes a toll on your skin. They cause damage to the skin cells and rush the signs of skin aging. Smoking increases the visible number of fine lines and wrinkles on your face. It also strips your skin of its color and so your skin becomes uneven in tone.

By quitting smoking, you will not only improve your health but also make your skin look younger.

5. Cleanse

Just like every skin type requires different cleansers, for example, there is face cleanser for sensitive skin, dry skin, oily skin, etc available in the market, there is a variety of face cleanser available for different skin problems. For example, the best cleanser for aging skin or cleanser for acne-prone skin.

You must clean your face daily and remove any bacteria, excess oil, or dirt from your skin. Pamper your skin and avoid using any kind of harsh soaps, or products with high chemical levels on your skin.

6. Use anti-aging products

Build up your skin care regimen in such a way that it involves products that have anti-aging ingredients. Some ingredients to look for in the products are –

Retinoid

Retinoid is a compound that comes from Vitamin A. This compound improves the overall appearance of the skin and helps in the treatment of various skin problems. Retinoid rejuvenates your skin by increasing cell turnover and boosting collagen production.

Overall, retinoid reduces the visible fine lines and wrinkles and evens your skin tone.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant and is often applauded for its reversing age properties. Vitamin C works best against free radicals which cause damage to our skin. It also protects the skin against oxidative damage and reduces fine lines and wrinkles.

It makes skin elastic and firmer by producing collagen in the body.

7. Limit Alcohol Intake

Alcohol is responsible for the dehydration of your skin and body. Although one drink for women and two drinks for men in a day do not pinch, any quantity over this can compromise your skin texture and hydration. So, limit your alcohol consumption to make sure that your skin stays healthy for a longer time.

8. Sleep On Time

Your body rests and repairs while you sleep. While you sleep, your hormone levels are balanced, your immune system becomes strong, and tissue repair and muscle growth start happening.

All of these things allow your skin to repair from the wear and tear of the day and prepare for the next day. So, make sure that you make a good night’s sleep your priority.

9. Exfoliate

Exfoliation of the skin helps in removing dead skin cells which improves the circulation of the skin. You can use scrubs, brushes, washcloths, skin peels, etc. if you have sensitive or dry skin, try sticking to a face cleanser for sensitive skin or washcloths or sponges.