With anti-aging products available and the desire to stay looking as young as possible, knowing what even causes premature aging can help you now. Even the best creams can't stand in for a healthy lifestyle that avoids the pitfalls that cause premature aging.
A Good Night's Sleep
When you sleep, your body utilizes that period of time to renew and refresh itself. The human growth hormone (HGH) has its highest production rate during slow-wave sleep. We develop nearly 30 times more skin while sleeping. Cutting your sleep short reduces the time your body has to repair itself and attend these critical functions.
Reducing Your Stress
Cortisol is the major stress hormone that plays havoc with our bodies. It breaks down collagen, the essential protein that keeps your skin taut and youthful. This causes wrinkles, sagging and can even cause inflammation. Stress also causes facial contortions that can lead to even more wrinkles. Learning proper stress management is key to avoiding looking older than your years.
Protection from Sunlight
Sun damage is the number one cause of wrinkles and permanent skin damage. UVA and UVB rays are damaging to your skin, causing fine lines, brown spots, enlarged pores and more. Sunscreen is a necessary tool to prevent this excessive damage. Reapply after the first hour in the sun and make sure to limit your exposure.
The Right Diet
Modern life has a pace that makes quick, simple meals appealing. But they're not always nutritious. A diet low in fruits, vegetables and complete protein denies your body the necessary antioxidants and additional protein structures needed for vital skin. Vitamin C is essential to production of collagen. Without collagen, your face simply can't maintain its youthful look. Using sunscreen regularly, getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet and learning how to manage stress properly will go a long way towards helping anti-aging products work better on your healthy skin.
