Slow Up Aging Process
By Pamela99
Protect Your Skin and Slow Aging Signs
The first thing we usually notice on our face as we age is that first wrinkle or maybe a brown spot. Most people are acutely aware of aging signs and use anti-aging skin products to try and keep their skin as supple and as radiant as possible. A couple of wrinkles can give us the look of wisdom, but most people would rather retain their youthful skin as long as possible. There are certainly several things we can do to slow up these aging signs.
Receiving a Beauty Treatment
Happy Couple
Sun Protection
Sun protection is important year-round. Ultraviolet (UV) rays can reach you on cloudy and hazy days just as well as sunny days. UV rays reflect off surfaces like water, cement, sand and snow. The CDC recommends a few options for some protection:
- Stay in the shade during the midday hours.
- Use protective clothing on exposed skin.
- Wear a hat with a brim that will protect your face, head, ears, and neck.
- Wear sunglasses that wrap around and will block as close to 100% as possible the UVA and UVB rays.
- Always use sunscreen with a sun protective factor of 15 or higher that has both UVA and you UVB protection.
- Never use a tanning bed.
Things to Know About Skin
Skin is actually the biggest organ of your body. It is comprised of several layers; containing oil glands, blood vessels, immune cells, and components they give it structure and elasticity. While we know the skin will respond to exterior factors such as the sun, it also responds to internal factors like our diet. I'm sure you've probably heard the saying "you are what you eat" and this holds true where your skin is concerned. Most of us look for anti aging methods.
Here are some factors about aging skin that you might not know:
- As we age we have a slower turnover of cells in the outer layer of our skin (the epidermis). In young people the turnaround process takes about 28 days, while the in the elderly it takes 40 to 60 days.
- It is more difficult for nutrients to pass from the deeper layer of skin (dermis) to the outer layer as we get older.
- There is less activity in the pigment producing cells of the epidermis and fewer of them which leads to mottled skin coloring, and you also may get sun burned more easily when you are older.
- There is also a decrease in immune system cells of the epidermis.
- There is less collagen in the skin, which provides support and less elastin, which provides elasticity; therefore this contributes to sagging and wrinkles.
- Skin becomes thinner and dryer due to a reduced blood supply and fewer oil glands also.
While this list sounds awful, there are things we can do to slow up this aging process besides just staying out of the sun. If you are smoker you're going to have more wrinkles, so this is a good time to give it up.
Skin Layers
The Perricone Anti-Inflammatory Diet - eDiets.com
Diet Tips
There are certainly some foods when eaten regularly that will help slow up the aging process.
- Cold water fish such as wild salmon, mackerel, albacore and bluefish tuna, herring, anchovies and sardines are great sources of Omega-3 fatty acids. These fish also contain a powerful antioxidant called DMAE which protects you from free radicals, thus preserving your skin tone. You can also take omega-3 supplements.
- A very rich source of antioxidants is also found in green leafy vegetables.
- Kefir and yogurt are dairy foods which are a good source of protein, calcium and probiotics.
- Another great source of anti-oxidants and fiber is fresh fruits, particularly berries.
- Having an ample amount of good fats in your diet will help make your skin supple and healthy and they include olive oil, avocados, flaxseed, nuts and of course the omega-3 fish.
- Drink a lot of water, as staying well hydrated keeps your skin cells plump and firm.
Home Skin Treatment
Exfoliating your Skin
There is a huge selection of skin care products on the market and several recipes you can use to make your own products. They include products for cleansing, exfoliating, facial mud or clay masks, toning and moisturizing. Almost any article you read about skin care starts out with exfoliation, then toning, moisturizing and protection. It is important to determine you skin type as a deep-cleaning mask for dry skin will have a mud base and for oily skin you need a clay base. Choose the appropriate products for your skin type and establish a weekly skin care routine.
Exfoliation is important to remove dry, dead skin cells which will diminish wrinkles, pigmentation and stimulate collagen for more youthful look. Brown spots on your skin can also be easily removed by a dermatologist or other skin care specialist. Exfoliate preparations should be used over your whole body as we want to remove dead dry skin particularly from the elbows, knees, feet and hands.
There are many exfoliate products available for purchase. You can also mix ingredients, which you probably already have in your home to make an exfoliating mixture, such as combining store-ground cornmeal equally with plain yogurt and a teaspoon of olive oil. Mix these ingredients in a small bowl. Moisten your skin with warm water and massage the mixture onto your skin using an upward, outward motion then leave it on for at least 5-10 minutes. before rinsing again with warm water. I have also used a similar mixture using rolled oats instead of cornmeal, the plain yogurt, a small amount of unprocessed honey with a teaspoon of sesame seed oil which works just as well. You want your mixture to be abrasive enough to exfoliate your skin.
Another great cleansing routine is to steam your face for 5 to 10 min. as part of your weekly routine. Using a handful of chamomile in a pot of water and bring to a boil. Let it cool slightly so your skin will not burn, then place a towel over your head and place your face over the pot to expose it to the steam.
Moisturizers
To moisturize your skin there are many recipes you can follow to make a mask that you leave on for maybe 10 or 20 minutes, then rinse. One method is to mix wheat germ and applesauce and let it sit until the wheat germ absorbs the applesauce. Apply the mixture to moist skin for twenty minutes. Remove the mask over the sink as it will fall off in chunks and you can use your fingers to lightly brush off the rest. Splash cool water on your face to remove any leftover residue.
If you have very oily skin is better to use a clay based mask. They are more beneficial for oily skin that is prone to get acne and blemishes. If you have very sensitive skin, hydrating mask and gel mask should be used.
If you're looking to buy creams to put on your face that night be sure you read the ingredients. Obviously you want the best wrinkle cream available. Avoid a lot of preservatives but vitamin C, for instance, is excellent for your skin playing an important role in the production of collagen. Selenium is also a component of your body's antioxidant enzymes which is been shown to protect skin from UV damage.
Basic Skin Care : Skin Moisturizing Tips
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Skin Care Questions
Do you have a regular skin care routine?
See results without votingIn Conclusion
It is important to wash your face and remove your makeup every night with a gentle cleanser before bed and use a quality night cream on your face and throat. You can also use a toner before putting on your night cream but if your skin is dry you may want to skip this step or certainly pick one that won't be too harsh on your skin. When you awake up in the morning you also want to wash her face again and apply a lighter cream for daytime.
Consistency is the key to a good skin care program. Eating the food listed above is not only good for your skin but is good for your whole body is antioxidants fight free radicals and will keep you help healthier. Choose the skin products carefully as the ones with antioxidant vitamins will give you the best results.
The copyright to this article is owned by Pamela Oglesby. Permission to republish this article in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
Beautiful hub among useful information. I'll show this to my mom. Thanks for writing and share this with us. Pam, you always amaze me with your talent for nice information like this one. Rated up!
~prasetio
A very well written hub. I learned a lot form this hub. Well done Pamela:)
Anginwu, Thank you so much for your comments.
prasetio, I hope your mom enjoys the hub and finds it useful. Thank you so much for your comments. Love and peace.
Katrinsui, I'm glad you enjoyed the hubs and I appreciate your comments.
Yes, Pamela, I will faithfully follow all of your advice and I thank you.
Good hub with summer coming on. I especially like the moisturinzing tips.
POP, I would have guessed that you did. Thanks so much for your comments.
Hanna, That is important for my skin also. Thank you for your comments.
My skin is very sensitive and I do not make scrubs to not irritate it. But maybe I could use a specific product... Thanks for these useful tips!
Fucsia
fucsia, Sensitive skin shouldn't be exfoliated but there are specific products for you. Thanks for your comments.
But Pam...It'll ruin my makeup LOL Good hub sweety.
Such good advice! I had never thought about the skin being our largest organ . . . and with those summer rays . . . and fun in the sun!!
Thanks for the great advice. Preventative maintenance is so important!
JY, I appreciate the humor!
Sally, Thank you so much for your comments.
mama_em, That is the key. Thanks much for the comment.
Great article with lots of wonderful useful info. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Voted up and useful.
toknowinfo, I'm glad you enjoyed the article and I appreciate your comments.
Lots of good information. Making sure you have a daily routine is important. I do it all except the night cream. I need to get back to doing that. Thank's for the reminder.
You're so right, Pamela - plump and firm is the way I like my skin cells. Thanks for the interesting information re skin care.
always exploring, I'm glad this hub was helpful to you and I appreciate your comments.
drbj, That's the way I like mine also it seems to take a little more work these days. Thanks so much for your comments.
Personally, I don't care what age people look.. and I don't care what the media and advertisements try to make me think about youth. We're all people and we all age.
However, still a nice hub :)
Miss Lil' Atlanta, Thank you for your comments.
Great article that's very informative! I'm past my first wrinkle..lol, but seriously I agree about UV ray damage from the sun. Last summer I was in the sun too much and have spent all winter treating my skin. Also, I've been doing lots of research lately for my flaxseed hub and it's benefits for the skin. Voted up!
Susan, Flaxseed is great for your health and I will look forward to reading your hub as I take flaxseed everyday. Thanks for your comments.
Excellent premises!
Nellieanna, I appreciate your comment.
Excellent beauty care tips. VOTED UP, RATED USEFUL!!
mdlawyer, Thank you very much for your comments.
This is an informative hub. Your tips are very useful. I agree with you that we should drink a lot of water as well as eat fruits, vegetables and fish,too; just minimize pork and beef. I also recommend “The Body Shop” beauty products. They have great items that may go well with each skin types. I like your skin layer illustration. This is a well written hub.
Tina, I am glad you enjoyed the hub. I am not familiar with The Body Shop products but will look them up. Thanks for your comments.
All very good info, including which foods to eat. That, I didn't know! Thanks for sharing it with us, Pamela. Especially those of us who are worried about wrinkles at that certain age. :D Bookmarked and voted up!
shygirl, I'm glad you enjoyed the hub and I appreciate your comments.
Pamela, it's too late for me (my first wrinkle came to stay a while ago). Great advice and tips. Rated up.
KKGals, Thanks so much for your comments.
Too late, Pamels, I am on my thousand wrinkle. lol. Hanve nice weekend.
Hello, Thank you so much for your comments. I hope you have a nice weekend also.
Brilliant advice Pamela, thank you. Exfoliation is the key I believe.
acaetnna, I agree. Thanks for your comments.
Pamela, I have used moisture creams all my life it seems and had good skin up until about 2008 or 2009. It is not bad now but up under the skin, there is now signs of blemishes that cannot be mashed out, or anything (they do not come to the surface), AND the Dermatologist says is because I used moisturizers. Nothing he can do. Now they are not prominent, but they are there. I never had many blemish problems and if I did it was those which are under the skin and do not abscess. Anyway, food for thought and your article is great...I just hate these things which show up mostly when I get hot.
The Dr. says that they see this in us older gals usually....why could they not do laser or something? Strange....I did vote up because all you have given is great advice.
Ictodd, You would think the dermatologist would have some suggestions or help for you. I would think exfoliating would help and maybe a treatment of honey with a little olive oil weekly instead of moisturizers would make a difference. I'm certainly no expert and those are just suggestions.
I know as I gotten older I've had more brown spots appear but the dermatologist removed them recently which wasn't much fun but it worked.
Thank you for your comments.
Great hub! Very informative. I've learned a lot!
Voted UP and useful
Angela, I'm glad you enjoyed the hub. I appreciate your comments.
nice job, you've written a very informative hub and i really enjoyed reading it.
midnightbliss, Thank you so much for your comments.
Excellent hub. It's so important to take care of our skin, especially as we get older. Good skin care can keep up looking young!
creativelycc, I sure agree. Thanks for your comments.
pamela...thank you for this informative hub. I have never had a consistent skin routine, but I have been blessed with good skin. The only issue I have had in the last few years is some brown spots on the front of my cheeks. Different people have told me different things. Some say it is sun damage, some say it is hormones (I started getting them after my second child at the age of 37), and others say it is because I was on birth control pills in my college days. So, this is one skin issue I am currently focusing on. Thank you also for mentioning the mask to make. I hope you are well. G
GPAGE, I had some brown spots on my face also and I was given different reasons as to why they occurred. I went to a dermatologist and he froze them off and it took about two weeks for my skin look normal again but brown spots are gone. Thanks so much for your comments.
Rated up. One awesome hub!
howcurecancer. Thanks so much for your comment.
Very useful and natural ways to look after our Face... and it doesn't involve Botox. :) Thanks.
Lady E, Thank you so much for your comments.
Thanks for the natural mask tip. We do all we can to keep those wrinkles away. I'm somewhat surprised by the comment where derm stated issues were a result of moisturizing (ictodd1947) - must have clogged the pores - and I agree, supplementing with natures way is great. v/r
Support Med, I was surprised about his statement also. I believe in using moisturizers especially when you have dry skin. I think we need to exfoliate and use natural moisturizers. Thanks so much for your comment.
That is an amazing Hub - I can´t thank you enough for posting this :) You´ve mentioned so many interesting beauty tips - I´m quite impressed!Great video on Basic Skin Care as well. Thank you soo much!
Gracy, Thanks for your comments.
anglnwu 12 months ago
Good useful information. I just read one on sun protection as well. Rated up.