You can’t stop the clock, but you can keep your skin looking young and healthy no matter your age. There are numerous easy ways to reduce premature skin aging, but often we just don’t think about it until it’s too late.
Premature skin aging is caused by a variety of factors – from external such as UV radiation and poor nutrition to internal such as genetics and smoking. This type of aging can make your skin look older than it is due to an increased rate of collagen loss, wrinkle formation, the thinning of the dermis layer, the accumulation of age spots, and discoloration.
Fortunately, there are ways to reduce premature skin aging. If you want savvy tips on how to reduce premature skin aging, then you’ve come to the right place! In this article, I’ll break down some of my favorite ways you can slow down signs of aging and have beautiful skin for years to come.
Protect yourself from sun damage
One of the most important ways to reduce premature skin aging is to protect yourself from the sun. Sun exposure can lead to damage causing wrinkles, discoloration, and age spots. You should always wear sunscreen or clothing that protects your skin when you are outside, even on cloudy days.
Make sure to reapply your sunscreen often – at least every two hours, more often if you are sweating or swimming. You should also try to stay out of the sun during peak hours (which usually occur 10 am – 2 pm).
When possible, it’s best to avoid direct sunlight for extended periods of time and opt instead for shade-casting fabrics, hats, and vegetation when enjoying outdoor activities. Investing in quality sunglasses that block UV rays is also a great way to protect your eyes from the sun’s damaging light.
Use products with retinoid
Retinoids are a family of compounds that, when applied topically as creams or gels, are incredibly effective at fighting premature skin aging. They work by increasing the rate at which your skin produces collagen and elastin, two proteins essential to youthful-looking skin.
Specifically, retinoids act on specific receptors in the skin that trigger cell growth and cutaneous turnover. In short: they wake up stem cells and make it possible to repair damage caused by environmental factors like pollution. Plus, retinoids have been proven to reduce wrinkles, age spots, and hyperpigmentation!
It’s important to use a retinoid product with an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen though – because while these products help repair the damage they also make your skin more sensitive to UV light. So don’t forget your sun protection after you apply them!
Moisturize
Moisturizing is essential for reducing premature skin aging. A good moisturizer helps to lock in moisture that keeps the skin feeling supple and elastic. Choose a moisturizer that provides your skin with the right amount of hydration and nourishment, as this will help to keep the skin looking youthful.
Avoid products that contain harsh chemicals, as these can strip away natural oils and damage the delicate layers of your skin. Fragrances and preservatives can also cause irritation so try to opt for more natural formulations whenever possible.
Staying hydrated
Staying hydrated is key for preventing premature skin aging. Water hydrates your skin cells more effectively than any face cream or lotion can so make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day. Drinking 6-8 glasses of water daily keeps your skin cells healthy and supple while helping to prevent wrinkles.
Also, some experts recommend skipping hot showers and baths as they dry out skin cells faster. Instead, opt for a lukewarm temperature to avoid harsh effects on the skin’s protective barrier that causes dehydration or premature aging.
In addition to drinking plenty of water and avoiding hot showers, you should use a good moisturizer on your face and body daily. Look for a high-quality moisturizer that has SPF protection to shield your skin from damaging UV rays, which can also lead to early signs of aging such as sun spots and wrinkles.
Eat a balanced and healthy diet
A balanced and healthy diet is one of the best ways to reduce premature skin aging. Eating healthy helps to keep your body and skin nourished with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. A diet rich in nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables will give you that extra boost of nourishment that your skin needs to look and feel its best.
In addition, making sure you’re getting enough water throughout the day is essential for keeping your skin looking hydrated and supple. Drinking plenty of water helps flush out toxins from your body that can cause wrinkles, dryness, and other signs of premature aging.
Finally, avoidance of refined sugars and trans and saturated fats is necessary when eating a balanced diet. All these “empty calories” contribute little to our health in terms of nutrients but can lead to weight gain which is detrimental to our skin health. So watch what you eat and make sure you are eating an array of foods with nutrients important for maintaining younger-looking skin!
Exercise
Exercise is an excellent way to help prevent premature skin aging. That’s because exercise helps boost your circulation, which in turn keeps your skin looking younger. Exercise also helps reduce stress, which is a major cause of wrinkles and premature aging.
When you exercise on a regular basis, your body releases endorphins, which contribute to that “happy” feeling. When the body experiences this regular sense of happiness and relaxation, the walls of your skin cells absorb more oxygen and nutrients – leading to stronger cells and healthier skin!
Make sure you schedule time in your day for physical activity such as walking, running, or swimming. All forms of aerobic exercise have been found to have anti-aging benefits such as increased collagen production and improved wound-healing properties in the skin. Additionally, practicing regular yoga or Pilates exercises can further benefit the condition of your skin due to the focus on stretching, deep breathing, and relaxation techniques incorporated into each workout.
Have enough rest or sleep
Getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining healthy skin and a youthful appearance. Sleep deprivation will increase the stress hormones in your body, which can lead to premature skin aging by decreasing the amount of collagen and elastin produced in your skin. Sleeping for at least 7 hours a night is recommended for reducing wrinkles, sagging skin, uneven complexion, dark circles under the eyes, and other signs of premature aging.
Making sure that you have enough restful sleep is also important for aging gracefully. Poor quality sleep can make your skin look dull or puffy, or cause inflammation that makes wrinkles more pronounced. It’s important to go to bed at regular times every night and get plenty of restful sleep so that your body can release the hormones it needs to naturally regenerate your skin while you are sleeping.
Quit smoking
We all want to look our best, and quitting smoking is one of the best ways to reduce premature skin aging. Smoking narrows your blood vessels in the outermost layers of your skin and stops your body from providing these layers with vital oxygen and nutrients. This results in wrinkles, fine lines, and leathery patches in the skin – all signs of premature aging.
Quitting smoking also has other advantages for preserving a youthful complexion. It’ll help you flush out the toxins that have built up over the years, hydrate your skin with more balanced levels of moisture, control oil production to reduce spots, plus clear away blackheads!
Finally, getting yourself healthy by quitting smoking can do wonders for reducing stress and improving mental health, both of which contribute to providing a healthier glow and rescuing dull-looking skin.
Treatments
Treatments are a great way to reduce premature skin aging. Even if you have already started to see signs of aging, treatments can help you turn back the clock and regain your youthful glow!
One of the most effective treatments to reduce premature skin aging is laser resurfacing. This technique uses an intense light beam to remove the outer layers of damaged skin in order to encourage new cell growth. This treatment has been known to reduce wrinkles, dark spots, age spots, and even scarring.
Derma fillers are becoming increasingly popular and can be used to reduce the appearance of premature skin aging. The purpose of dermal fillers is to add volume back into your skin, effectively erasing wrinkles and fine lines.
If you’d prefer something less intensive, there are plenty of other treatments available as well, such as chemical peels and microdermabrasion. Chemical peels use acids to dissolve away build-up on the surface of your skin that could be causing premature skin aging and microdermabrasion works by exfoliating dead cells off the top layer of your skin for smoother texture and fewer wrinkles. And if you want a more natural option, many topical lotions can provide antioxidants and vitamins that keep your skin healthy from within and help stave off premature aging symptoms like wrinkles or sagging.
