We all want radiant, youthful-looking skin, but it seems stress and lifestyle factors are catching up to us.
Dryness, premature wrinkles, age spots and dullness are becoming increasingly common – making ageing gracefully seem like a mission.
Fighting the visible signs of ageing – which are only exacerbated by today’s environment – is never easy, but there are some things you can do to keep your skin looking fresh and youthful.
Eat your way to good skin
Surprising no one, drinking lots of water is beneficial for your skin, but the quality of your skin is also affected by what you eat.
In her book Beauty From The Inside Out, Dr Libby Weaver says that we need to consider that our skin is a reflection of our cells and inner processes.
“When most people think about improving their appearance, they usually focus on a product, another ‘quick fix’,” says Libby.
“Beauty really is an inside job. When it comes to your physical health and beauty, the foundation stone is the way you nourish yourself through the food you choose.”
So what foods should we be choosing?
Foods rich in anti-oxidants, vitamin C and vitamin E will help your skin look its best.
FOODS TO ADD TO YOUR SHOPPING LIST:
- Avocados
You might not be close to a house deposit but your morning avo on toast habit is certainly good for your skin. Avocados contain vitamin E which help to fight free radicals – which are known to damage cells – and support new skin cell growth.
- Tomatoes
Tomatoes also help fight free radicals, but also contain lycopene which is reportedly an anti-inflammatory that helps defend the skin from ageing.
- Berries – but especially blueberries
Berries have large amounts of anti-oxidants which help fight the effects of oxidative stress – including photoaging.
- Salmon
According to Health, salmon and other oily fish contain omega 3 fats which are known to boost hydration and block the release of enzymes that cause wrinkles and saggy skin.
Invest in great skincare
Your skin changes over time, so the anti-ageing products you use will vary depending on your age and skin type.
Most women have a go-to anti-ageing day and night cream and broad-spectrum sunscreen, but need to be using a separate cream for their under eye area.
The skin under the eyes is 10 times thinner than the rest of your skin, so it needs extra care to protect it.
Wild Ferns have created a really nice eye cream that isn’t too heavy and smells incredible. If you’re after an eye cream, try their Manuka Honey Intense Refining Eye Crème – it’s just a little over $20 and utilises a lot of wrinkle-fighting ingredients.
The eye cream contains premium, certified Manuka Honey 80+, rosehip, borage, wheatgerm and hazelnut oils that soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while vitamins A, C and E provide high antioxidants that stimulate collagen production.
If you think you’re too young to be thinking about stimulating collagen, remember: it’s never too soon to start thinking about preventing premature ageing!
Ensure you’re getting enough sleep
Research from the University Hospitals Case Medical Center proposes that sleep quality can affect our skin’s appearance and function.
The results of the study suggest poor sleepers have a harder time repairing their skin from environmental stressors and have increased signs of skin ageing.
Director of the Skin Study Center at UH Case Medical Center and Associate Professor of Dermatology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Dr. Baron, says: “Our study is the first to conclusively demonstrate that inadequate sleep is correlated with reduced skin health and accelerates skin ageing. Sleep deprived women show signs of premature skin ageing and a decrease in their skin’s ability to recover after sun exposure.”
Well, no more late nights for us! We’re sleeping our way to great skin!
Wild Fern products are available nationwide at gift, pharmacy and souvenir stores.
