Aging is a gift! Here are 6 tips to maintain your best skin through the decades
Your skin is incredibly strong and resilient, so much so that you might not give it much thought. The problems begin when fine lines and wrinkles are suddenly visible—and they do seem to appear suddenly. When the wrinkles creep in, the Google searches begin: anti-aging skincare routine, anti-aging skincare tips, and anti-aging skincare products open up Pandora’s box of quick fixes, tips, and even scary and extreme solutions (vampire facials, anyone?).
As board-certified dermatologist and founder Dr. Howard Murad says, “Aging is a fact of life. Looking your age is not.” Who better to get healthy habits and tips for anti-aging and glowing skin than from the doctor himself? Best part: his tips are easy to follow and more focused on daily habits than extreme measures. And, you might already be doing some of them.
Eat your water
Looking for other ways to increase your water intake? One of Dr. Murad’s four main pillars of wellness is Eat Your Water. “By eating water-rich fruits and vegetables, nutrients are better absorbed into your body for skin health,” says Dr. Murad. Eating your water helps your skin and body in spades—from helping to flush out toxins and keep your cells hydrated to fighting fatigue and brain fog.
Some of Dr. Murad’s favorite antioxidant-rich foods include goji berries that are rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients, walnuts that are “a great source of cell-hydrating omega-3 fatty acids” and eggs which contain lecithin, which he says, “are a protein-packed vital nutrient that helps the body build healthy new cells.”
Get some sleep
This is one of Dr. Murad’s top tips for anti-aging and glowing skin for a reason. Getting a full night’s sleep (7-8 hours) every night is essential for helping your body repair and detoxify. And, there’s no such thing as burning the midnight oil then catching up on sleep over the weekend: your body needs to recover and repair nightly. Plus, a good night’s rest helps to improve circulation around your eyes, which may help decrease the look of puffiness and dark circles. If you don’t get enough sleep, be sure to use an under eye cream to help combat puffiness and dark circles.
Don’t forget your SPF
You know by now that SPF is essential for skin health and preventing skin cancer and melanoma. But, did you know it’s one of the top tips for anti-aging and glowing skin? That’s because lines and wrinkles aren’t the only thing that can make skin look prematurely aged. UV exposure triggers stubborn dark spots (age spots) and an uneven, mottled skin tone that can impact the freshness and youth of your complexion. SPF every day, rain or shine, indoors or outdoors, can ward off frustrating signs of premature aging for a radiant complexion.
Have you met retinol?
It’s the gold standard in anti-aging skincare ingredients for a reason. Retinol quickly improves the look of lines, wrinkles and youthful contours. And it’s preventative and corrective so you can use it to target the lines you see and the ones that might be on the horizon.
Concerned about its potency? Newer, encapsulated forms of retinol make this intense ingredient gentle enough for sensitive skin and the delicate eye area.
The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Murad, and are for informational purposes only, even if the advice of physicians and medical practitioners are included. This article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and should not be considered specific medical advice.
