The verdict is in: Aussie women look 10 to 20 years older than women in other parts of the world.
For women living in the land down under, the sun is mostly to blame for this, but lifestyle choices play a part in the premature ageing too.
The good news is, there are many things you can do to slow down the ageing process.
Here are some of the most effective ones.
Protect your skin from the sun
Experts say the sun’s rays are accountable for about 90% of all signs of ageing.
With the Australian sun being what it is, sunscreen is a basic necessity. Apply about an ounce (30mls) of sunscreen about 15 to 30 minutes before stepping outside.
Protect your lips with a lip balm with sunscreen as well and reapply every two hours if you are out swimming or find yourself sweating.
The best sunscreen has an SPF of at least 30, is water-resistant and protects against both UVB and UVA rays.
Hats and shades are also necessary to protect your face and your eyes.
Sleeping habits
Sleep gives your skin time to rest and rejuvenate itself.
On average, you need 7 to 8 hours of sleep for your body organs to function as they should.
This makes it important to pay attention to your sleep habits to ensure you are getting enough hours of deep, quality sleep.
Again, you must make sure to use the right pillowcase for your pillows. A silk pillowcase reduces the friction between your skin and the pillowcase. This improves hydration and prevents wrinkles and fine lines.
Exercise
Save for the liver; the skin is the largest detoxifying agent you have.
Typical full-body workouts increase blood circulation, which helps your skin reduce puffiness and also flush out toxins.
Aside from these, there are facial skin exercises you can learn and do throughout the day to increase circulation and help tone and firm up your skin.
Quit smoking
Aside from increasing your chances of getting cancer, smoking ages your skin dramatically.
Cigarette smoke contains toxins that damage elastin and collagen. These proteins are responsible for keeping the skin firm and supple.
When they are damaged, your skin becomes more susceptible to developing wrinkles and sagging.
Smoking also constricts the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to your skin. This interferes with how vital nutrients and oxygen are delivered to your skin.
For smokers, quitting the habit is among the best things you can do for your skin and overall health.
Go for self-tanners
Every time you get a tan from the direct sun, indoor tanning equipment, or a tanning bed, you age your skin significantly.
This is because all these options emit harmful UV rays that accelerate the ageing process.
If a tan is a must-have for your vacations, instead, opt for lotions, wipes, sprays, and gels that are developed with skin health in mind.
Keep in mind, however, that some of these products do not protect against sunburn. Use your sunscreen as you normally would.
Invest in skincare supplements
Skincare supplements complement your diet to feed your body with supplements you might be missing, or not getting enough of.
Antioxidants such as Vitamins E, C, and Selenium are known to protect the skin from sun damage.
Vitamin A can also be applied topically to enhance cell growth.
Because there are many products on shelves today, it wouldn’t hurt to discuss supplement choice with your physician.
Make it a lifestyle
To enjoy better looking and feeling skin, strive to make these skin tips part of your lifestyle.
This will give you the consistency it takes to see improvements and your skin and to maintain younger and healthier skin in the long term.
Featured photo by rawpixel.com | PxHere
