People ask me how I’m “aging so gracefully,” and I tell them I’m not. I’m simply not aging. Aging gracefully means buying into the myth that you can’t do anything about getting older. But you can.
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Fighting the effects of time doesn’t have to be a full-time job, either. Chances are you can reverse the effects of time, weather and pollution without spending any more energy on your appearance than you do now.
And you don’t have to spend a fortune on spa treatments, designer cosmetics or surgery. In fact, you can start with 3 simple steps. Here’s how…
First, stick with fresh, healthy foods. You’ve heard this before, but here’s a reminder: shop the outside aisles of the store. That’s where you’ll find fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and dairy.
These are foods that help you stay trim, for a sleek, sexy look, regardless of your age. They also help you keep your blood sugar under control, so you’ll feel as good as you look.
Plus, studies from around the world show that eating these “low glycemic” foods promotes clearer, healthier-looking skin.1
Sticking to the perimeter of the store also allows you to avoid the temptation to buy junk food because you won’t be forced to walk by it and stare longingly.
You should strive for a good balance of nutrients, but certain nutrients are especially good for youthful, glowing skin.
Women with higher vitamin C intakes tend to have fewer visible lines and wrinkles.2 So, get plenty of this antioxidant vitamin. You’ll find lots of it in green peppers, strawberries and citrus fruit.
Every cell in your body needs CoQ10 for energy. It’s your skin’s first line of defense against photo-aging, too.3 Plus, it helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.4 Grass-fed beef, free-range chicken and wild-caught fish are the best foods for CoQ10.
Resveratrol activates an enzyme called telomerase.5 This enzyme interacts with cells – including skin cells – to keep them healthy and alive longer. Studies on skin cultures also show resveratrol may be an important antioxidant for your skin.6
But it’s hard to get enough resveratrol from foods. It’s one nutrient that’s probably best taken as a supplement. Also, look for resveratrol in skin products because it can also be used topically.
Eating fresh, healthy foods is a great start. But to keep your skin looking younger years longer, I recommend a natural daily skin care routine.
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For a youthful look, cleanse, tone and moisturize daily.
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For a more youthful look, cleanse, tone and moisturize every day. But watch out for ordinary beauty products. Some are loaded with harsh chemicals.
I recently read about one chemical – called methylparaben – that you’ll find in thousands of skin care products. Studies show it actually accelerates skin aging when exposed to sunlight.7
That’s why I look for safe, natural ingredients for all three steps of my skin regimen, which takes only a few minutes a day.
Most cleansers contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a chemical that irritates skin. Instead of SLS, look for a gentle cleanser such as sodium olivate. It’s made from natural olive oil and isn’t harsh on your skin.
You’ll find a lot of alcohol in toning products. That’s great for drying up excess oil… but it also dries out your skin. I prefer CoQ10 in my toner. Applying CoQ10 directly to your skin actually helps old skin cells function more like young cells again.8 That’s something no chemical can do.
Of course, don’t forget to moisturize daily. Aloe vera, lanolin and vegetable glycerin are all safe, natural moisturizers. So is hyaluronic acid. All of them can help your skin hold on to moisture, so it will look and feel softer and smoother.
Following these few steps takes no extra time in your already hectic day, but they can go a long way to helping you look and feel younger.
Have a Youthful Day,
Jackie Silver
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[Ed. Note: The latest addition to our panel of top experts, Jackie Silver is the author of Aging Backwards: Secrets to Staying Young. She’s a dynamic and beautiful 50-something bombshell who looks half her age. She created “Aging Backwards” in 2006 to help empower women to look and feel younger than their actual age. Keep reading Ageless Beauty Secrets for more of Jackie’s best tips, tricks and secret weapons for stopping the effects of aging and improving the whole self – mind, body and spirit.] |
1 Smith, R.N., et al, “A low-glycemic-load diet improves symptoms in acne vulgaris patients: a randomized controlled trial,” AJCN. July 2007;86(1):107-115
2 Cosgrove, M. C., et al, “Dietary nutrient intakes and skin-aging appearance among middle-aged American women,” AJCN. Oct 2007;86(4):1225 – 1231
3 Baumann, L., “How to Prevent Photoaging?” Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2005:125:xii–xiii
4 Inui, M., et al, “Mechanisms of inhibitory effects of CoQ10 on UVB-induced wrinkle formation in vitro and in vivo,” Biofactors. 2008;32(1-4):237-43
5 Xia, L., et al, “Resveratrol reduces endothelial progenitor cells senescence through augmentation of telomerase activity by Akt-dependent mechanisms,” British Journal of Pharmacology. 2008;155:387–394
6 Bastianetto, S., et al, “Protective action of resveratrol in human skin: possible involvement of specific receptor binding sites,” PLoS One. Sep 23, 2010;5(9):e12935
7 Handa, O., et al, “Methylparaben potentiates UV-induced damage of skin keratinocytes,” Toxicology. Oct 2006;227(1–3):62-72
8 Prahl, S., et al, “Aging skin is functionally anaerobic: importance of coenzyme Q10 for anti aging skin care,” Biofactors. 2008;32(1-4):245-255