Healthy Skin Habits To Prevent Aging

There's no better time to start than right now! Whether you're 18 or 45, you can do something to slow down the aging process. I know some of you may be thinking, "It's too late for me." But it's not, doing a few of these things could really improve your skin. It doesn't matter the age though, this list is going to give you 5 steps to healthy skin.

1. Avoid Sun Damage. Wear your sun block and no sun tanning! I know about your baby oil and iodine sun bathing. But we can put that in the past. You can protect your skin by staying indoors between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm, wearing a hat, and an spf of at least 30.
Fun Fact: a Sun Protection Factor of 30 does not equal double the protection of a SPF 15. An SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB, an SPF 30 blocks 97% UVB, that's only a 4% difference, while an SPF 50 blocks 98% UVB. (UVB= ultra violet burning rays) So, it really doesn't matter which sun block you choose, as long as you are applying it as directed, every two hours, it will be effective.
"Well my make up has SPF in it so I don't need sun block." Wrong. Once you apply your moisturizer (if it is without SPF) your make up with sunscreen is going to have a hard time penetrating that moisturizer to absorb into your skin and protect you from the sun. I'd prefer that you use a daily moisturizer with SPF and if your make up has it too then, cool dude.

But what about your gorgeous glow that you get from laying out in the sun? It's not safe! When your skin is exposed to UV radiation, it produces extra melanin to try and protect your skin from damage. Melanin is the pigment that colors your hair, eyes and skin. This is why you get those freckles and soon-to-be permanent age spots. It's called Photo Aging, and dark spots aren't the only thing you should worry about. UV radiation also breaks down your collagen and elastin, the guys that make your skin plump and firm. Without those, your skin is leathery, saggy and wrinkled and it can't be reversed without surgery. Don't you want to look 22 when you're 42? Yes, the answer is yes. Now I know I'm breaking some sun bunnies hearts so let's make a deal. Cut your sun exposure time in half!

2. Stay Hydrated. Drink more water, drink more water, drink more water, I know you haven't heard it enough. ;) You need to be drinking a half ounce to an ounce of water per pound that you weigh. I'm one of those people that doesn't like water too, you're not alone. But now they make those squeezy flavors you can add to your water to make it bearable! Anyway, when you drink water, your skin is happy. By happy I mean, glowing, plump, less dull, less saggy and it may even reduce your pore size. Also, wear you're moisturizer morning and night to keep your skin cells balanced. The key to healthy ageless skin is hydration internally and externally.

3. Quit Smoking. It causes wrinkles, skin discoloration, and cancer. But I really don't want to sit here and tell you all the reasons you need to quit smoking. You already know. It's not healthy and we're trying to have healthy skin here.

4. Get a Monthly Facial. Yes girl, treat yourself! Not only is getting a facial one of the best ways to relax, it's also super healthy for your skin. Estheticians use professional products which are stronger and more concentrated than what you're able to use at home. Getting that nice deep exfoliation monthly is going to turn back the time! Plus, you'll likely be getting some massage to stimulate circulation and encourage your skin to produce more collagen and elastin.

5. Antioxidants! I love antioxidants. You need to be using them every day! Antioxidants are the warriors that fight off free radical damage to your skin's cells. Free radicals are unstable molecules with a missing electron. They like to attack healthy skin cells to steal an electron, resulting in more free-radicals. This then causes a chain reaction called Oxidative Stress, which leads to pre-mature aging and possibly even cancer. Free radicals literally decay healthy cells and the best way to stop that is by using antioxidants. Antioxidants donate an electron to a free radical to neutralize them without then becoming one itself. What a nice guy.
Here are a couple things you need to be aware of that can cause free radical damage: environmental pollution, cigarette smoke, car exhaust, food preservatives, pesticides.. the list goes on. Scary right? So, there are many different ways to get antioxidants, most are found in foods you eat or you can apply them topically. I'm sure you're familiar with some.. Vitamins C & E, green tea, wheat grass, acai berries, herbs, avocados, artichokes, nuts, coco powder and resveratrol. Do you know what resveratrol is? It's found in blueberries, cranberries and red grapes. Do you know what this means?! "Red, red wiiiiine, it's up to youuu!" You have probably heard that drinking a small glass of red wine each day can save you from heart disease, but it can also help you fight your free radicals! But be careful, drinking too much alcohol can also be a major producer of free radicals.

Like I said before, it's never too late to prevent aging and it's never too early to start! Let's get healthy skin together and try these 5 easy steps! Better yet, let's make them habits!

Please e-mail me if you have any questions and I'll totally get back to you within 24 hours!
urestiebestie@gmail.com

Thanks for hanging out!

XO Lindsay