Skin Agers

Indulging in a Sweet Tooth
If you fill up too often on sugar or foods that are high on the glycaemia index like white bread and pasta you may eventually find that your skin looks older than it should. Sugar breaks down into glucose which eats away at collagen and elastin the structural proteins that make up your skin therefore causing your skin to be less supple and its texture worse. Avoiding sugar is easier said than done so your best bet is to eat a balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables. If you do eat carbohydrates and sugar, balance them with protein, like nuts, beans and chicken to slow the harmful effect on your blood sugar levels.

Taking Window Seats
Even if you’re good with applying your SPF every morning, you can still suffer damaging sun exposure if you sit near a window at the office or you spend a significant amount of time commuting in a car. UVA rays have a long wavelength and go through window glass; they penetrate the skin deeper, aging it and causing skin cancer.

Stressing Out
When you’re stressed, your body pumps up the production of cortisol, a stress hormone, which in turn increases the levels of matrix metalloproteinase’s, enzymes that break down collagen and elastin. To avoid the negative effects of stress, find a way to manage it that works for you. Go for a walk, do some yoga or something else that relaxes you.

Skipping Sleep
Not getting enough ‘beauty sleep’ does actually age you. Sleep is when your body repairs, heals and regenerate itself and if you take that away, you slow this process down and the skin reflects it. The other way is if you’re exhausted, your judgement isn’t as good and you don’t eat as well and you don’t take care of yourself. The one thing that your body likes is routine, try to make an effort to go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day.

Over-doing Anti-aging Products
Aspects of dry skin including discolouration, rough patches and flakiness have the effect of making wrinkles more prominent. The cause of dry skin is usually the products that are over drying. Retin-A and harsh soaps as well as ingredients such as alcohol and glycolic can dry out your skin therefore you should not be overusing their types of anti-aging products. Hydrate your skin with Vitamin E and glycerine which help to plump up your skin and making any wrinkles and fine lines less pronounced. Be sure to drink enough water to hydrate your skin and body from the inside out. Two litres a day can be enough, though if you drink coffee or exercise you may need to drink more.