We all want to stop the clock when it comes to how we look, and these seven tricks are sure-fire methods to hold back the years the natural way
1. Drink plenty of water
Dry skin is more prone to fine lines and wrinkles – one easy way to combat this is by staying hydrated. By drinking the recommended eight glasses of water a day, you’re helping your skin to stay soft and supple, as H2O carries important micronutrients that nourish your cells and fight signs of ageing.
2. Quit smoking
Smoking damages tissue, reduces blood flow to the skin, yellows teeth, and prevents vitamins and oxygen from reaching skin cells, which in turn increases the appearance of wrinkles. Consider taking ginger, either as a tablet or in tea, to combat nausea caused by quitting. Keep your levels of vitamins A, C and E topped up with a supplement, and add a spoonful of ginseng to your breakfast cereal or smoothie to help fight cravings.
3. Get moving
Fitting regular exercise into your lifestyle will help hold back the years, as even a gentle 30 minute walk cause the heart to pump faster, boosting vital oxygen and nutrients in your muscles, brain and organs. This keeps them well supplied with everything they need to work at their best.
4. Try a supplement
We know that collagen keeps skin feeling firm and plump, but free radicals break this down, damaging skin and in turn making it appear older. Free radicals can be produced from UV rays, air pollution and stress. One way to help prevent the breakdown of collagen is to care for your levels with a supplement. Try Skinade, a collagen drink that boosts moisture and hydration and keeps skin feeling healthy.
Skinade, £105, skinade.com
5. Remember to moisturise
We already know that we need to hydrate from within by drinking plenty of water, but to lock that moisture in and prevent dry, flaky skin, blemishes or breakouts, you should add a daily moisturiser to your routine. Try the Aeos Enriching Moisturiser for a natural, plant-based option designed to help prevent ageing.
Enriching Moisturiser (Blue), £58.99, aeos.net
6. Use an SPF
A bottle of sun cream is a regular go-to when you’re heading for a day at the beach, but what about on your trip to the shops or meeting friends for lunch? Even on overcast days our skin is being bombarded with UV rays, which damage skin cells and create an aged appearance. To protect against this you need to wear an SPF every day – consider combining it with your daily moisturiser.
7. Care for your hair
When you’re trying to combat the signs of ageing, be careful not to neglect your locks. As we get older hair can become dry, brittle and thin, so opt for a shampoo that’s full of nutrients, like Liz Earle’s Botanical Shine Shampoo from Liz Earle. Made with nourishing ingredients like shea butter, vitamin E, and orange and apple extracts that boost shine, this shampoo cleans hair without stripping away any natural goodness.
Botanical Shine Shampoo, £12, uk.lizearle.com