Wrinkles are something that no woman should be ashamed of. They show a face that has smiled, laughed, frowned and lived. However, we understand that they are something that many women don’t want to see when they look in the mirror every day, so here we have a few ways to make your skin appear a little smoother and less wrinkled.
And this goes for black women and women of colour too! One of the best ways of keeping your skin smooth and line-free is by protecting it from the sun. It can be a delicate balance, as our skin needs the Vitamin D, but too much exposure to the harmful UV rays can cause untold damage – not just wrinkles and pigmented patches, but a genuine risk of skin cancer. When you go outside, pop on some high factor suncream and stay out of the sun at the hottest part of the day. If you do get burned, use plenty of aftersun lotion and keep the area moisturised. You also should wear good quality eye protection to keep your eyes safe and prevent fine lines from squinting at the sun – don’t try and save money by buying counterfeit sunglasses because these can cause more damage to your eyes than not wearing them.
Quit smoking
Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your skin. It helps to narrow the blood vessels on the outer layer of the skin, which prevents oxygen and other vital nutrients from getting to the surface. This, in turn, leads to your skin losing its elasticity.
Get a good night’s sleep
Decent sleep gives your body the chance to flush out any toxins that have built up throughout the day. Without a good night of sleep, our skin can look grey and washed out. It is the perfect excuse to head up to bed early, especially in the winter!
Change your diet
To stay supple, your skin needs certain nutrients. One of the most important ones is omega-3. This is most commonly found in oily fish and walnuts and can help the elasticity in your skin. Fruit and vegetables are also jam-packed with nutrients that your skin needs, so make sure that you are having at least five portions of them a day.
Keep well hydrated
Drinking plenty of water is essential for clear, healthy skin. If your skin is dehydrated, it will lose its suppleness and look dull and dry, which can lead to wrinkles. Aim for two litres of water a day and cut out the fizzy high sugar drinks and caffeine.
Use anti-aging skin products
Sometimes, we all need a little extra help, and these days there are plenty of anti-aging products on the market to help give your skin an extra boost. A basic moisturizer is your best weapon, as it helps to replenish the levels of sebum in your skin and keeps it smooth. Products containing hydroxy acid, retinol and coenzyme can also help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.