Sleep On Your Back
Sleeping in certain
positions night after night leads to "sleep lines" -- wrinkles that
become etched into the top layers of skin and don't fade once you're up.
Sleeping on your side leads to wrinkles on cheeks and chin, while
sleeping face down gives you a furrowed brow. To cut down on new
wrinkles, sleep on your back.
Eat More Fish Like Salmon
Salmon (along
with other cold-water fish) is a great source of protein, one of the
building blocks of great skin. It’s also an awesome source of omega-3
fatty acids. Experts say that essential fatty acids nourish skin and
keep it plump and youthful, helping minimize wrinkles
Don't Squint -- Get Reading Glasses!
Making
the same expressions over and over -- like squinting -- overworks
facial muscles, forming a groove beneath the skin's surface. Eventually
the groove becomes a wrinkle. Keep those eyes wide: Wear reading glasses
if you need them. And get savvy about sunglasses, which can protect
skin around the eyes from sun damage and keep you from squinting.
Slather On Alpha-hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
These
natural acids lift away the top layer of dead skin cells, reducing the
appearance of pores, fine lines and surface wrinkles, especially around
the eyes. And stronger forms of AHAs may help boost collagen production.
Using AHAs can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so wear plenty
of sunscreen every day.
Don't Over-Wash Your Face
Tap
water strips skin of moisture and natural oils that protect against
wrinkles. Wash your face too often, and you wash away its protection.
And unless your soap contains moisturizers, use a gel or cream facial
cleanser instead.
Wear Your Vitamin C
Some studies have
found that creams with vitamin C can raise collagen production, protect
against damage from UVA and UVB rays, help reduce dark spots and uneven
skin tone, and reduce redness. You have to use a skin product with the
right type of vitamin C, though. L-ascorbic acid may be the best for
wrinkle relief. You may also see a vitamin C ingredient listed as
ascorbyl palmitate.
Soy for Skin Care
Soy may improve the
appearance of your skin and may even protect it, too. Studies suggest
soy applied to the skin or taken as a supplement may help protect
against or even heal some of the sun's damage. And it has also been
shown to improve skin's structure and firmness, and to even out skin
tone.
Trade Coffee for Cocoa
Try
a wrinkle-reducing drink. In one study, researchers found that cocoa
with high levels of two antioxidants (epicatechin and catechin)
protected skin from sun damage, improved blood flow to skin cells,
helped hydration, and made the skin look and feel smoother. Delicious!
Practice Good Skin Care Basics
If
you really want to keep your skin looking young, start with the
essentials. You've probably heard this advice before, but it's
important:
- Avoid the sun
- Wear sunscreen
- Wear sun protective clothing
- Don't smoke
- Use moisturizer
