As we age, we tend notice our skin is becoming drier, thinner, and more fragile. There are multiple reasons for this and ultimately aging is unstoppable. However it can make some people feel more uncomfortable or even self-conscious. There are tonnes of ways to naturally keep your skin healthy and glowing, so I wanted to share a few of my top tips.
Protect Your Skin from the Sun
Being overly exposed to the sun’s harsh glare has many negative effects. The sun gives off harmful rays of light that are known as ultraviolet or UV rays. Though it is not visible to the naked eye, UV rays can penetrate your skin. The skin darkens as it tries to protect the body from harmful UV rays. That’s why too much sun exposure can cause cell damage and even cancer. Other effects of UV exposure are sunburn, blisters, peeling, hot skin, itchiness, and increased blood flow that results in red skin.
Medical experts say that UV rays are at their harshest between 10am and 4pm. To prevent damage, it is best to stay indoors during that time frame. UV rays are of course also stronger during summer and spring. If you cannot avoid going outside, make sure to use a hat for your face and give your skin added protection by applying moisturizing lotion with adequate SPF protection.
Stay Hydrated
Your body’s primary functions, such as cell turnover, are significantly affected if you are dehydrated. Not having adequate fluid prevents your skin from regularly shedding its outer layer, leading to accumulated dead skin on the surface. Dehydration also accelerates many signs of aging, such as dry skin and wrinkles. These wrinkles are different from crow lines and may appear deeper and more visible.
The first step to combat this is to make sure that you drink lots of water. Experts say that you should drink at least eight glasses of water every day. Properly hydrating yourself helps your skin be more elastic and plump. It also prevents your skin from having blemishes and cracks.
Increase Your Body’s Collagen
At around 50, women lose a high amount of moisture and collagen, especially during and after the menopausal stage. This is one of the top reasons why many women say that they lose their “glow” as they age. The loss of collagen can also result in sagging skin in areas, such as around the eyes and across the jawline. There are now many ways to up your body’s collagen level. One of them is taking collagen supplements.
Make Sure You Have Enough Vitamin D
The aging process significantly reduces our body’s ability to produce vitamin D. Lack of this nutrient can lead to vitamin D deficiency. The symptoms include unhealthy skin and bone softening. Vitamin D is also important because it prevents DNA damage, skin injuries, and even skin cancer. Though being exposed to the sun has its negative effects, there are also a lot of benefits that you can get from natural light. The sun is a rich source of vitamin D, which is also known as the “sunshine vitamin.”
If you want to take in supplements, the ideal dosage of vitamin D for older adults is 600 IU for those below 71 years old and 800 IU for adults beyond 71 years old. You can also eat a tablespoon of cod liver oil and get 170% of your daily Vitamin D requirement.
Rejuvenate Your Skin
Making sure that your skin is regularly taken care of doesn’t mean that you have to go to a dermatologist. There are now many ways for you to keep it rejuvenated, even from home. You can start by taking off your makeup at night as a regular habit. Leaving chemicals on your face overnight can result in dull and damaged skin in the long run.
You can also make natural face masks. One fruit that is rich in Vitamin A, C, and B is apricot. Soak four or five apricots in water. Then, mash them along with lemon and honey. Apply this concoction to your face for 20 minutes and rinse it off with cold water. Another pantry staple that is good at keeping your skin moisturized is cucumber. Cucumbers are rich in water, and applying a few slices on your face will help you look rejuvenated and hydrated.
Age is just a number, and many empowered women nowadays can attest to that. Making an extra effort to keep your skin healthy doesn’t mean that you are not embracing the process. It only means that you care deeply for your health and overall wellness.
LL x
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*This is a contributed post. As ever, all opinions are my own.
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