Article Summary:
- The aging process often has undesired effects on the skin.
- Some lifestyle tips can help you maintain your youthful skin and even improve the appearance of wrinkles.
- Not all skincare products work. We searched the evidence to find the best ingredients for your skin.
Can you reverse aging skin?
Your skin protects the inside of your body from outer forces such as the elements and microbes. Sensitive to touch, your skin helps regulate body temperature, produces essential hormones, and stores fat, metabolic products, and water. But with all this exposure, your body’s largest organ is susceptible to aging. The signs of skin aging include:
- Wrinkling
- Thinning
- Changes in texture
- Loss of elasticity
We all know we can’t turn back the clock, but is it possible to reverse aging skin? Scientists certainly think so. But before you consider how to begin this age reversal process, it’s first important to understand the two types of aging your skin undergoes.
Intrinsic aging
Intrinsic aging is an inevitable fact of life and there is nothing you can do about it. The outer layer of your skin thins and small wrinkles appear.
Extrinsic aging
Extrinsic aging occurs due to lifestyle factors such as exposure to UV rays and dietary habits. Learn some healthy routines to help you prevent and even reverse aging skin naturally.
Lifestyle tips to reverse aging skin
Wear sunscreen
Protecting your skin against the sun is the best way to prevent skin aging. Choose plant-based, natural products for the best results. Look out for vitamins B3, C, and E in your sunscreen. B3 has been shown to improve skin appearance while C and E have strong antioxidant properties. Don’t cover up too much, though. Vitamin D, synthesized from the sun, is an essential vitamin for your skin’s health. Ten to thirty minutes of sun exposure several times a week should be sufficient.
Stop smoking
Tobacco is not only bad for your lungs – it is also known to accelerate skin aging. A 40-year-old smoker may have the same skin quality as a 70-year-old non-smoker! Patients presented in one study with a biological age nine years older than their chronological age. After quitting smoking for six months, they had visibly smoother, brighter, and more elastic skin, and lost, on average, 13 years in their skins’ biological age.
Exercise
Exercise increases blood flow to your skin, which in turn helps transport free radicals and other harmful toxins away for disposal in the liver. A study published in JAMA Dermatology found that facial exercises can improve the appearance of skin. More research is needed into the endurance of such benefits, but it’s clear that facial exercises can be implemented as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Sleep well
If you suffer from poor quality sleep, you’re likely to experience an array of detrimental responses, including hormonal fluctuations, increased inflammation, and oxidative stress. Whether addressing your sleep problems can actually reverse the effects of aging is unknown, but making sure you get plenty of sleep is well documented to be an essential part of skin maintenance.
Stay hydrated
Dry skin tends to have more wrinkles. An easy way of keeping your skin hydrated is simply to drink more water. If you don’t drink much water through the day, consider upping your intake. Carry a bottle of water wherever you go or leave a glass on your desk. Once you start sipping at regular intervals, it will become one of those healthy habits that’s easy to keep up.
Use antioxidants
Antioxidants have been shown to relieve skin aging by slowing the aging process caused by environmental stress. Adding natural ingredients such as aloe vera and green tea to your diet is one way to increase antioxidants, but taking daily supplements is the easiest way. Algae superfoods like spirulina and chlorella are a great way to supplement your nutrition. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, omegas, phytonutrients, antioxidants, and amino acids, all important nutrients to support great overall health and skin.
Stay calm
Stress is a natural part of life, but long-term stress can lead to skin aging, affecting the proteins that support your skin, namely, collagen and elastin. Addressing the stress in your life can lead to better skin and enhanced general health. The American Heart Association recommends positive self-talk, meditation, exercise, and engaging in fun activities as the best stress busters.
Eat well
What we put into our bodies has a massive impact on our overall health. Improving your diet can be the missing link when it comes to enhancing your skin health. Vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, and calcium are all essential. Don’t confuse yourself by getting too technical, though. Fill your plate high with whole grains and fresh fruit and vegetables, and you’re sure to notice the benefits in your skin.
Avoid the bad stuff
It’s no good eating healthy food at mealtimes only to graze on oily, sugary snacks between meals. High levels of sugar in your diet produce glycotoxins, which hinder the reparation of collagen. Caffeine has been shown to diminish collagen production, which leads to skin aging. Fried foods contain free radicals that play havoc with your skin. Try swapping your sugary snacks for fruit, your morning coffee for hydrating herbal tea, and French fries for baked potatoes. Oh, and cut down on alcohol too as it dehydrates your skin.
Moisturize your face daily
Moisturizer helps trap water in your skin and keep it hydrated. It can also help you nourish your skin with the right nutrients to support repair. Properly hydrated skin can age more slowly than dry skin; it also gives a more youthful appearance.
Best skincare for aging skin
By following the best reverse-aging skincare advice, you’ll soon notice some palpable differences in your skin. Not all so-called anti-aging lotions work, though. There are some essential ingredients to look out for when choosing your skincare products.
Retinoids
When applied topically, the forms of vitamin A known as retinoids can reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Peptides
Peptides are the building blocks of protein. Your skin’s most important protein, collagen, begins to break down as you age, but topically applied peptides have been shown to improve skin conditions.
Hyaluronic acid
With its ability to draw in and hold moisture, hyaluronic acid is an essential skincare ingredient.
Vitamins C and E
Vitamin C may have beneficial effects on wrinkles, but the best products contain both vitamin C and E.
Niacinamide
Otherwise known as vitamin B3, niacinamide helps preserve your skin’s barrier function.
Glycolic acid
Usually deriving from sugar cane, glycolic acid is an exfoliator that easily penetrates your skin. Regular use has been shown to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, leading to smoother skin.