Best Ways To Fight Wrinkles

We know that wrinkles are a natural part of aging, but we still sulk the moment we find a new one anywhere on our body. Yes, developing wrinkles on our skin is likely to happen as we grow older, but that doesn’t mean we can’t put on the brakes and slow down the process.

Keep your skin looking vivacious and young with these 10 easy ways to fight wrinkles:

Use Sunscreen

One of the biggest causes of aging skin is too much sun exposure. With beach parties and barbecue invites galore this summer, we’re not telling you to skip all the fun in the sun. However, it’s important to apply sunscreen on your face and body every single day, especially if you’ll be outside for an extended period of time. Opt for a sunscreen that is at least SPF 30 and protects you from UVA and UVB rays. Bonus points if you wear a sun hat!

Moisturize

Dehydrated skin is much more likely to wrinkle. To keep your skin taut and silky-smooth, rub a moisturizer on your body after you get out of the shower. Choose an oil free moisturizer for your face to keep shine at bay.

Use A Retinoid At Night

According to Richard Glogau, a clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, retinoids are one of the most effective methods for treating wrinkles, especially the pesky ones that form around your eyes and forehead. Apply a retinol cream to your face every night that has a concentration of at least 0.4 percent.

Choose “Anti-Wrinkle” Foods

Eating foods that are loaded with nutrients and antioxidants will help fight wrinkles and keep your skin looking fresh. Nourish your skin by eating balanced meals and filling your plate with foods rich in vitamins A (carrots, lettuce, cantaloupe), B (fish, whole grains, lentil beans), C (citrus fruit, red peppers, kale) and E (nuts, cooked spinach, broccoli).

Make A Point Of Physical Fitness

Scheduling a half hour of exercise into your daily routine is extremely important for your heart, weight and overall health. But did you know it can also help your skin retain its vitality? Exercise helps jumpstart oxygen production and also aids in releasing the body of toxins. If those toxins remain in your body, they can damage the inner and outer layers of your skin (dermis and epidermis), making your skin more prone to wrinkles as well as making it more difficult for you to treat them. So get moving!

Have A Good Laugh

Laughing does the mind, body and skin good. Experts believe that a good hard laugh, or even cracking a smile can relax some of the muscles in your face and simultaneously tone the skin, softening the lines left behind from the other facial expressions we’re constantly making.

Hydrate Right

For youthful-looking skin, you have to hydrate from the inside too! Drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Sipping water both plumps and moisturizes your skin. It also helps bring back some of your skin’s elasticity that may have been lost in the aging process.

Keep It Natural

Drinking water and eating “anti-wrinkle” foods are great for your skin, but it’s also important to cut back on the amount of processed foods and drinks in your diet. Consuming potato chips, cookies and sugary sodas on a regular basis can actually accelerate your skin’s aging process. All of the processed ingredients can hinder nutrient absorption, which are key in maintaining your skin’s youthful look.

And while a glass of wine a day has been said to do your heart and body good, for your skin’s sake, keep it to that one glass a day. Alcohol is dehydrating and can really dry out your skin.

Get Enough Sleep

Sleep allows your body to rejuvenate, rest and restore itself, and your skin—your body’s biggest organ—benefits big time from this process. Aim to get between six to eight hours of quality sleep every night. In addition, you may reap extra benefits if you sleep on your back—this position allows you to succumb to gravity, which can help fight wrinkles around your eyes and forehead.

Quit Smoking

Puffing cigarettes is one of the quickest ways to develop wrinkles, especially on your face and hands. The nicotine and all the nasty chemicals in cigarettes narrow the blood vessels on the outer layer of the skin, which reduces the blood circulation and oxygen flow. And when your skin can’t receive oxygen and vital nutrients, it loses elasticity—and that’s wrinkles occur. So butt out!