As we get older, we begin to realize that the way we age is heavily influenced by our habits and behaviors.
What does that mean?
Let’s say that you have been doing yoga for years…
You can reasonably expect to have more mobility than someone who runs regularly, but doesn’t spend a lot of time stretching.
The same is true with food and alcohol.
If I tell you to close your eyes and imagine a woman at the age of 75 who has been heavily drinking alcohol for 40 years, what do you see?
Likely you imagine a woman with deep wrinkles and dry skin. Maybe a little haggard.
So these daily choices have an impact on our skin.
Let’s be clear–at Blue Water Beauty, we are not anti-aging.
(Because if you really think about it, it is pretty destructive for women…)
But we are very much interested in living and aging WELL so that we can enjoy aging as much as possible!
Let’s try to pick up a few good habits with our skin that will allow our natural, radiant beauty to shine through every year!
Let’s look at the things that can Prematurely Age our Skin over the years:
Excessive Sun Exposure
(Did anyone else spend teen years in a tanning bed?? OMG!) Prolonged and unprotected exposure to the sun's harmful UV rays can have a profound impact on our skin's aging process. The sun's rays break down collagen and elastin fibers, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin.
BUT–Stanford researcher, Andrew Huberman of The Huberman Lab, recommends allowing your skin to get some sunlight each day, but not an excessive amount. This has been my strategy for years. I get out in the sunlight for my physical/mental wellbeing, but put on a hat/cover up if I am going to be in direct sunlight for a long period of time.
Lifestyle Choices
Our lifestyle choices can significantly impact our skin's aging process. A poor diet lacking in essential nutrients, excessive alcohol consumption, a sedentary lifestyle, and chronic stress contribute to inflammation, oxidative stress, and a weakened skin barrier.
Choosing healthy foods, regular exercise, stress management techniques, and adequate sleep will help promote healthy skin and slow down the skin aging process.
Lack of Sleep
Gosh–doesn’t EVERYTHING seem to come back to sleep! By incorporating enough sleep and good sleep hygiene practices into your routine, you can better manage stress and support a healthier complexion.
Improper Skincare Routine
A proper skincare routine tailored to our skin's needs is essential for maintaining its radiance. Neglecting to moisturize and protect our skin can lead to dryness and loss of elasticity.
By understanding these causes of accelerated skin aging, we can take proactive steps to counter their effects and maintain radiant skin and health.
If you want to "dial in" your skincare routine, we have created a Skincare Quiz to help you find the perfect products to meet your needs. You can find it here.
Click here to Take Free Quiz!