- Drink Lots of Water
This is nonnegotiable for me. I carry a water bottle with me at all times and fill it till I get my ounces in. The basic rule is 1/2 of your body weight in ounces per day. That’s your goal. Among the tap-load of benefits linked to drinking at least 8 to 10 glasses of water per day, younger skin is one of the most beautiful! And there are plenty of medical studies back up this claim, suggesting that drinking water flushes the body of toxins and bacteria, preventing dull, blemished, dry, flaky, and wrinkled skin.
- Exercise Regularly
How often do you get your body moving on a weekly basis? Regular physical activity is a plus when it comes to a glowing visage. Exercise encourages better blood circulation, which in turn sends more oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to the surface of your skin, translating in a radiant glow. Exercise also increases collagen and HGH (Human Growth Hormone) production to slow the effects of aging.
- Get A Good Night’s Sleep
Here is another nonnegotiable. There is truth to the term “beauty sleep.” I make sure to get plenty of sleep and I feel and look great because of it. I even wear an eye mask to make sure I am not disturbed. I also love the white noise of a small fan to assure I am not disturbed. When you make it a point to get 8 hours of sleep each night, you’re not only ensuring you’ll wake energized and focused, you’re also banishing the visual effects of inadequate sleep—including dark circles, puffy eyes, sallow skin, and a dull complexion.
- Make love
Getting intimate with your mate a few times each week not only keeps your relationship healthy—it can take years off your life. But don’t take my word for it, trust the experts, like Dr. David Weeks, the former Dean of Age Psychology at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. He attributes “getting it on” with increased production of HGH hormones, which rebuild collagen and elastin, which results in helping you appear younger.
- Moisturize Morning & Night
Sure you can drink water, but an additional way to infuse your skin with moisture is to apply a daily moisturizer—in the morning and before bedtime. Make washing, toning, and moisturizing your face a part of your daily regimen for smoother-looking, glowing skin. And if you’re in your 30s and above, choose a product containing anti-wrinkle ingredients—like collagen, antioxidants, retinoids, and vitamin E.
- Exfoliate Once a Week
I remember my big sister giving me the advice of “Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate!” as her way to let me know of the importance of this easy step in your beauty regimen. The process of using an exfoliating scrub on your skin removes traces of dull, old, damaged, and dry skin cells. Exfoliating also wipes away oils to reduce blemishes and helps improve collagen production, so you’re left with a fresh layer of new skin that soaks up your moisturizer more effectively.
- Whiten Your Teeth
Sometimes we focus a little too much on our skin. Notably, yellow stained teeth will also age you well beyond your years. Banish the visible signs of aging when you smile by using a whitening toothpaste or a gentle mixture of baking soda and water on your toothbrush. I use baking soda and a few drops of peppermint essential oil as my DIY go-to tooth polish. You can also undergo a professional teeth-whitening procedure at your dentist’s office. I have also found that the drug store strips are a very cost effective way to brighten up that smile as well. And if you are a lipstick or lip tint wearer, a blue based red or pink color gives the illusion of whiter teeth! Now, that’s a smile hack!
- Eat More Antioxidant-Rich Foods
We are what we eat! Foods high in antioxidants are good for your body—starting from the inside and emanating all the way out to the surface of your skin. So, if you want to slow down the aging process and repair damaged skin, try incorporating more antioxidant-rich foods in your diet, such as tomatoes, berries, broccoli, garlic, and green tea.
- Always Apply Sunblock
The sun is so beneficial to our health and immune system that we should get at least 10 minutes a day to create our own vitamin D, however, too much sun will inevitably cause wrinkles. Applying a broad-spectrum sunblock that protects your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays will help protect you from cancer and allow you to enjoy your time outside, which is another beauty booster.
- Stop Smoking
Not only is smoking obviously bad for your health, but this habit can cause you to age rapidly, way beyond your years. I can often spot a smoker by the condition of their skin. The toxins in nicotine cigarettes restrict blood vessels, which decreases blood and oxygen flow to your skin, resulting in skin damage and decreased elasticity. Your face especially shows these signs of premature aging.
Cheers to staying beautifully healthy and Young Ever After – Dr. Rose
