WRINKLES

You don’t see it happening, but one day you look in the mirror and realize that your fact is showing the passage of time. As we get older, the skin naturally loses some of its elasticity, so it doesn’t snap back the way it used to. In addition, a lifetime of sunshine and the downward pull of gravity also play a role in causing wrinkles.

You can’t turn back the clock, but there are ways to keep skin smoother. Here are a few tips you’ll want to try.

Revitalize your skin with moisturizer. The skin naturally gets a little drier with age, making it less elastic and prone to wrinkles. Applying a moisturizer every day will help keep the skin soft and flexible. In addition, it can actually plump up the skin a bit, making wrinkles you already have less noticeable. You can apply moisturizers any time, but they work best when used on damp skin after a bath or shower, when they lock in extra moisture.

Add moisture from the inside out. Drinking eight to twelve glasses of water every day will help keep your entire body, including the vulnerable tissues in your skin, moist and healthy.

Block the rays. This is by far the most effective way there is to prevent wrinkles. Sunshine breaks down collagen, the substance in you skin that makes it supple and elastic. It also causes your skin to become thicker and tougher. Doctors recommend avoiding the sun as much as possible. When you go outside, be sure to wear sunscreen with a sun-protection factor (SPF) of fifteen or higher, which will block the damaging rays.

Put on some shades. The area around the eyes is very prone to wrinkles. Wearing your sunglasses whenever you go outdoors will cause you to squint less, which help’s prevent “crow’s feet.”

Stock up on vitamins. Research has shown that vitamins A, C, and E may play a powerful role in protecting the skin. These nutrients are known as antioxidants because they block the effects of harmful oxygen molecules that damage tissues throughout the body, including in the skin. Eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes will provide large amounts of these skin-healthy vitamins. Also, your doctor may recommend that you take a multivitamin to get extra amounts.

Indulge vices only in moderation. Research has shown that drinking alcohol can age the skin before its time. Smoking can also cause problems because it constricts the blood vessels in the skin, reducing the flow of oxygen. It’s a good idea to limit your alcohol intake to a drink or two a day. If you smoke, of course, the sooner you can quit, the better it will be for your skin.