Secrets of a healthy and young-looking skin

We all want to stay young and beautiful forever. Who would like to look old and wrinkled? The answer is obvious. Throughout history people have always been in a quest to stay young. The first emperor of China Qin Shi Huang ingested mercury pills, believing it could lead him to immortality. Cleopatra kept an impeccable complexion by bathing in milk and honey. Famous celebrities then and now are seeking various ways, whether natural or otherwise to maintain their youthful look.

Are there really ways to slow down the aging process? What are the secrets to a healthy and glowing skin?

You need to start early to keep yourself feeling young and looking young. It cannot be done overnight. It needs to be done as early as in your 20s. Follow a healthy skin habits religiously. Moreover, adopt a holistic approach to achieve optimum result. Our skin is a reflection of our overall well-being.

Incorporate these healthy habits into your daily regimen. You won’t only have a beautiful skin, but also a healthy body.

1. Use a gentle  cleanser everyday

Use a natural, mild cleanser to wash your face and body. Synthetic detergents and hot water are harsh for the skin. Avoid commercial scrubs too.

2.  2.  Always moisturize after cleansing

It is recommended to apply a moisturizing cream to replenish the oil that was lost after bathing or cleansing.

3.  3. Use a night cream

Cleanse your face before going to bed. Remove all the make-up that you wore during the day. I advise applying a night cream that contains retinol which is proven to diminish fine lines.

4.  4. Protect your skin from the sun

Moderate sunlight promotes the synthesis of Vitamin D. But prolonged exposure is hazardous to your skin. It leads to premature skin ageing, loss of elasticity and skin cancer. Even indoor tanning is not good for the skin.

To protect your skin from the sun avoid going out between 10 Am to 4 PM. If you expect to be out for more than 20 minutes, wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and protective clothing or carry an umbrella. Whether it is summer or winter always apply sunscreen during the day even if you are staying indoors because a certain amount of UV radiation still penetrates our window glasses. For prolonged exposure wear a broad spectrum sunblock 30 0r 50+ for better protection.

5.  5. Beauty sleep

Sleep for at least 7 to 8 hours a t night to avoid having dark hollows under your eyes or eye bags. Chronic lack of sleep results to higher stress hormone level like cortisol, leading to premature aging. 

6. 6. Exercise regularly

Get a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise daily. Exercise increases sweating and cutaneous blood flow.

7.7. Stress management

Make time for relaxation. You may try activities such as yoga or meditation, even though others may find dancing and gym workout more stress-relieving.

8. 8. Don’t smoke

Smoking is devastating to health. Nicotine constricts blood, impairing blood flow to the skin. With less blood blow our skin doesn’t get as much oxygen and important nutrients, such as Vitamin A. Chemicals in tobacco smoke also damages our skin’s collagen and elastin, which are fibers that give your skin strength and elasticity. As a result, skin wrinkle and sag prematurely.

9.  9. Healthy diet

·        Water: For clear healthy skin, drink approximately 8 glasses of water a day to hydrate the skin. Even mild level of dehydration can make the skin dry.

·        Whole grains: Replace refined carbohydrates, such as pasta, bread and cookies with whole grains. Whole grains contain not only beneficial phytochemicals and anti--aging antioxidants, but Vitamin E, magnesium and fiber as well.

·         Fiber: Fiber is also important to maintaining healthy skin. As with water, eating fiber prevents constipation, which can be detrimental to skin health. To get more fiber, consider adding more fruits and vegetables in your diet.

·         Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids strengthen cell-membranes. Sources of omega-3 fatty acids are cold water fish, (e.g., salmon, herring, mackerel, tuna, sardines), krill, flaxseed, purslane, green-lipped mussel, eggs, milk and cheese and olive oil.

·        Vitamin-C rich food: Vitamin C is involve in the formation of collagen- a protein that binds call and tissues together. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, which blocks some of the effects of free radicals, the one responsible for the aging process. Some excellent sources of vitamin C are oranges, green peppers, watermelon, papaya, grapefruit, cantaloupe, strawberries, kiwi, mango, broccoli, tomatoes, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, pomegranate and citrus juices or juices fortified with vitamin C.

·        Soy: Soy contains isoflavones that stimulates the development of skin cells. It also reduces the breakdown of collagen and prevents the fats in the skin from turning into aggressive compounds. The highest level of isoflavone can be found in whole bean products that have not been highly processed. Although many varieties of vegetables, grains, and legumes contain small amounts of isoflavones, by far the largest quantities are found in soybeans. Roasted soy nuts, tofu, tempeh, soy milk, meat substitutes, soy flour, and some soy protein isolates are also high in isoflavones. The soy germ, found in whole soybeans, is particularly high in isoflavones.

Always remember these basic tips and you won’t go wrong.  A healthy lifestyle leads to healthy skin.