LOW AND NO COST ANTI-AGING SKIN CARE

The first rule of thumb in preventing wrinkles and skin aging is to DO NO HARM!  If you make the effort to prevent skin damage from occurring to begin with, the measures you will need to take to correct any damage will be minimal. There are many low or no cost methods which one can employ to minimize premature aging of the skin.  These include:

Avoid the sun:  When going outside, wear a wide brimmed hat to shade you face and sunglasses to keep you from squinting.  Use a sunblock with an SPF of 15 or greater.

Sleep on your back:  This is the best way to prevent the formation of “sleep wrinkles”, those little lines that result from having your face pressed up against a pillow all night.  Sleeping with a pillow under knees may make it easier to sleep on you back if you have trouble doing so.  If you are unable to sleep in this position, invest in a satin pillow case that will allow your skin to slide across the pillow thereby deterring the formation of wrinkles.

Don’t smoke:  Smoking, a free radical producer, is as detrimental to your skin as it is to the rest of your body.  Dermatologists can distinguish smokers from non-smokers, regardless of their age, simply by looking at their skin.  The repetitive facial movements made when smoking also contribute to the formation of wrinkles.

Don’t wash your skin too frequently with tap water:  Frequent washing strips the skin of the oils that make up its natural barrier.  Tap water contains chlorine which is an oxidative agent that promotes the formation of skin aging free radicals. 

Eat a diet rich in antioxidants: Eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables will neutralize free radicals before they are able to do their damage.  Foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna and sardines are also good for the skin.

Don’t drink alcohol within 3 hours of going to bed:  Alcohol causes fluid to accumulate in the soft tissues. It is unable to drain from the face if you are in a horizontal sleeping  position.  The resulting puffiness stretches the skin and leads to the formation of wrinkles.

Choose your makeup carefully:  Many makeups contain ingredients that can irritate the skin.  Chronic inflammation can cause the skin to age before its time. More on Inflammation and skin aging.