How to Prevent Premature Aging Now

Most of us want to prevent premature aging.

But we may not realize how important it is to take action Today, no matter how old we are.

When we’re young, it’s easy to think that our skin will always look smooth, firm and vibrant.

But according to a recent survey of millennials (born between the early 1980s and the late 1990s), many regret not taking more care of their skin when they were younger.

Their best skin care regret? Not investing in quality skin care.

The second biggest regret? Skip face cream.

Nearly half of respondents regretted previous beauty trends they followed because they negatively affected their skin.

What we can learn from this study is that if you neglect your skin, you will regret it later.

With that in mind, today we have 10 ways you can prevent premature aging, no matter how old you are. It’s never too early to start!

Ten ways to prevent premature aging

1. Protect your skin

Most scientific studies show that the main source of skin aging (other than genetics) is sun damage. The sun emits harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that can penetrate the skin and cause damage. Although your skin needs some sun every day to produce the necessary vitamin D, you should always protect the skin on your face and neck with sunscreen and clothing.

2. Use a gentle cleanser

Young people often don’t think much about whatever cleaning product they use. But a harsh facial cleanser or (gasp!) bar of soap dries out the skin, stripping it of its natural moisturizing oils. Use a gentle cleanser that helps balance the skin’s pH while maintaining hydration.

3. Get enough sleep

Many people struggle to get the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep per night. If you are sleep deprived, it will show up on your skin. Even one night of poor sleep can make you look older the next day. So if you’re having trouble getting a good night’s sleep, talk to your doctor as soon as possible about possible solutions. You can also try natural supplements such as melatonin, 5-HTP, magnesium, theanine, valerian and GABA. (Contact your doctor first.)

4. Eat healthy

This is more important than you might think. Your skin is the largest organ of the body and nourishes itself with the nutrients you get from your diet. If you eat a lot of junk food high in sugar, fat, and sodium, your skin won’t have the nutrients it needs to perform its repair duties. As a result, you will notice more dullness, wrinkles and sagging. Instead, eat more fruits and vegetables, choose more fiber-rich products and drink plenty of water.

5. Exercise regularly

This is an area that many people struggle with. Particularly if you have a desk job, it can be difficult to fit exercise into your life. However, it is not only important for your overall health, but also for the appearance of your skin.

Studies have shown that exercise can help backwards aging of the skin. Even after age 40, those who had been active had visibly younger-looking skin – similar to that of people in their 20s and 30s – even if they were over 65.

6. Exfoliate your skin

Starting in your 30s, you may want to consider adding an exfoliating product to your skin care routine. Your skin renews itself quite quickly for this. But as we get older – even at age 30 – this turnover starts to slow down. Dead skin cells then build up on the skin’s surface, making it look dull and discolored.

Gently exfoliating the skin when necessary – about once a week and then two to three times a week as you age – can speed this recovery and give the skin a fresher, more youthful appearance.

Make sure you choose your product carefully. Harsh scrubs containing nuts and crystals can cause micro-cracks in the skin that lead to inflammation, redness and breakouts. Choose chemical exfoliators with gentle acids such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid and malic acid.

7. Don’t smoke

Smoking can even be worse than sun exposure when it comes to skin aging. The chemicals in cigarettes cause free radical damage that accelerates aging. Smokers suffer from many wrinkles and a dull, sallow complexion.

8. Choose nourishing moisturizers (and other products)

When you’re young, you probably think that any old lotion will do. But many department store brands use cheap ingredients like Vaseline and chemical fragrances that, while they smell nice, do little for your skin. Several contain preservatives linked to health problems.

Research your products before you buy them. Find out which companies care about the ingredients they put in their products. Choose products that contain natural oils, vitamins, ceramides, butters and antioxidants that will really nourish your skin and keep it looking and feeling its best.

All our CV Skinlabs products are made with the utmost care! We avoid all ingredients related to health and allergic side effects and choose those that are safe for sensitive skin and even baby skin. Yet our products work to help soothe, tame inflammation, soothe sensitivity and promote recovery.

9. Go easy on alcohol

Excessive alcohol consumption is bad for your health, but also bad for your skin. Alcohol is drying, which can cause moisture to drain from the skin. It can also cause flushing and redness, and over time that redness can become permanent. It can make your face look bloated and swollen. Finally, alcohol can deprive the body of certain nutrients, including vitamin A, which is important for skin health.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that women consume no more than one drink per day or less, and men consume two drinks per day or less. (Women process alcohol differently than men.)

10. Relieves daily stress

Stress releases the hormone cortisol, which helps us cope, but also breaks down collagen in the skin. Collagen gives the skin structure and strength. We don’t produce as much as we get older, which is one of the reasons why skin can become sagging. But when you add chronic stress to the mix, you accelerate that damage.

We cannot expect to live a stress-free life. Instead, incorporate regular stress-relieving activities into your daily routine. All of the options below are good options:

1. Excercise
2. Meditation
3. Journalize
4. Yoga and Tai Chi
5. Therapy for pets
6. Art therapy
7. Music therapy
8. Time with positive people
9. Walk in the park
10. Warm bath
11. Accompaniment
12. To build
13. Everything that helps you forget your problems in a healthy way

Are you concerned about premature aging?

_{Featured image courtesy of Brett Sayles via Pexels.}