Anti-Aging Beauty Smarts
As a female who is turning 30 next year, I’m beginning to notice things like fine lines and saggy skin and scars that seem to never go away. Although these are very subtle changes right now I fear that in another 10 years I will look like a completely different person! I’ve decided to *gasp* look into anti-aging products.
Now since my husband is still out of a job right now, there is no way I am going to spend $100+ on a small jar of cream extracted from kangaroo poo and infused with diamond shavings or whatever hot anti-aging product that claims to take 20 years off your face. All I can do now is think prevention, prevention, prevention!
So after digging around online, here are some things I will do to keep myself from turning into a raisin.
1) Sunblock. 35+ SPF. I’ve been putting it on my face and my hands everyday since my hands are starting to look veiny and Angelina Jolie-like.
2) Sleep. OK I know this is hard for a lot of people but I try as best I can to get 8 hours of sleep. Even if I’m busy, I’ll usually make sleep a priority because I’m the type of person who cannot function properly if I don’t get at least 6 hours of sleep. Sleep is important because it allows your body to heal and repair itself. Without sleep, not only would we be tired, weakened and sick but it would be reflected in our faces and skin. They don’t call it beauty sleep for nothing!
3) Antioxidants. Antioxidants are not only important in repairing damage to the skin, but they’re also good for preventing cancer and other health problems. I’ve been loading up on blueberries, raspberries, green tea, pomegranate seeds, tomatoes, grapefruits and as many greens as I can.
4) Sunglasses. With 100% UV protection. I like the fact that I’m shielding the area around my eyes from UV rays and I’m not squinting as much if the sun is shining in my direction.
5) Humidifier. Now that it’s winter, the air is pretty dry and my skin dries out very fast and starts peeling no matter how much moisturizer I put on it. I noticed that after I got a humidifier and ran it everyday, my skin did not dry out the way it did before.
6) Exercise. Exercise is so good for you that there is no doubt in my mind that it has anti-aging benefits. We all know that it keeps your heart healthy, keeps your bones strong and promotes longevity. There are many studies that show that exercise may also have anti-aging effects. Although this has not been proven yet, why not go ahead and keep your body and heart young with exercise?
7) Skin cream with Retinol. Retinol is one of the few vitamins out there that have proven to be effective against aging. I usually don’t buy into claims made on packages of moisturizers unless there have been studies on the ingredient and it has been proven effective. Retinol is one of those ingredients. I use the RoC products and you can usually get a tube at around $20.
Water. I’m trying to drink more water to keep my skin (and everything else) hydrated. We all know that water is good for us and our health and when I don’t drink enough of it my skin looks dehydrated.
That’s all I have for now. Once we have steady income coming in again, I will definitely look at things like chemical peels and microdermabrasion. I’m really not into the whole Botox thing and I think I’m way too young for that anyway. Do any of you have any suggestions on cheap or free ways to prevent/repair the effects of aging?
