How to Prevent Aging in Today’s World of Innovative Beauty Technology

While no one can stop the passage of time, there is an art to aging gracefully – and we are here to help you master it. Gone are the days of lamenting over age spots and sagging skin; and splashing out only to go under the knife. Thankfully, we now get to live in a world where innovative, cost-effective, and non-invasive anti-aging remedies are available within arm’s reach. This year is all about taking charge of your own health, and as with every skin concern associated with aging, it all begins with prevention.

Anti-aging starts with prevention

1. Protect your skin from sun damage

   Did you know that approximately 90% of skin aging is believed to be caused by the effects of sun damage? Photo aging is the result of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation on our skin over time, causing unsightly wrinkles, dark spots, and sagging – the unholy triumvirate of visible skin aging. Our best advice to you is to find a broad-spectrum sunscreen suited to your skin type with a minimum SPF of 30, and apply a quarter teaspoon on your face and liberally on sun-exposed parts of the body. Re-apply every 2-4 hours as part of your daily routine, depending on how active you are.

   If you’re using a chemical sunscreen, make sure to use massaging motions for application, and allow 20-30 minutes for the product to become absorbed in your skin before leaving the house. On the other hand, physical (or mineral) sunscreen will start protecting you skin immediately after application.

    

   Related: Common Skin Problems after Overexposure to Sun
   
   
   

2. Stay hydrated

   Another way to boost anti-aging efforts in daily life is by loading up your diet with healthy fats, nutrients, antioxidants, and lots of water. Make sure to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, which helps to restore healthy, youthful skin from the cellular level. According to experts, the key to aging beautifully is to stay hydrated. As we age, the water content of our body decreases, going down from being born with 78% body water content down to an average of 55%-60% as adults. Men tend to hold more body water content due to higher muscle mass, whereas women naturally hold less due to more fatty tissue. As the primary constituent of cells, water keeps skin fresh, soft, and glowing, so make sure you always have a bottle with you wherever you go!

       
   

3. Nourish your body with anti-aging food

   Turning back the hands of time can be as simple as changing up your diet. Tuck into vitamin and nutrient-rich “anti-aging foods” that contain natural collagen boosters such as vitamin C, vitamin E, ellagic acid and biotin. Foods such as papaya, watercress, and red bell pepper are abundant in anti-aging nutrients, as well as green tea, prunes, and sardines. Our special tip is to choose fruits and veggies that are deeper in color, as more vibrant colors are an indication of radical fighting abilities.
   
   
   

4. Improve your emotional well-being
   

   Exercise. Meditate. Indulge in self-care rituals. Find a balance between work-life, and adhere to it. And of course, we can’t stress enough the importance of a good night’s sleep. Reversing signs of aging cannot be solely dependent on eye creams and beauty devices, because emotional well-being plays just as big a role to ensure a healthy appearance. One of our favourite stress-relieving rituals is a soothing lavender aromatherapy bath with two cups of Epsom salt, which draws out toxins from the skin and relieves issues such as skin irritation, stiff joints, and sore muscles.
   
   

5. Cleanse skin gently, and use products suited to your skin type
   

   Your skincare routine now is more important than you think. It’s time to cleanse your face after every sweat session, replace the questionable-looking makeup products you’ve been using for years, and bin the expensive skincare that stings and burns on every application. Luckily, there are lots of modern beauty devices that can help you achieve the perfect skin exfoliation, deep-cleansing, and pore purifying results that our skin craves after being exposed to damaging environmental factors such as wind and pollution.

Related: How to Look Younger: the Art of Aging Gracefully

Remember, preventing the signs of aging isn’t just about taking care of your physical appearance. It’s just as much about pampering your mental and emotional well-beings, in addition to being mindful about what the food and drink we consume. Aging is a natural process, but we can take better control of how we go about it by staying healthy, happy, and educated.