Seven anti-ageing skin care tips to prevent wrinkles and fine lines

There’s no way to turn the clock back but there are many natural ways to keep your face looking forever young. Check out these seven tips if you want your skin to look healthy and wrinkle-free for years to come.

1) Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet

What you eat can affect the look of your skin. Research has found that lots of sugar and refined carbohydrates can accelerate the ageing process, while other studies suggest a diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables can protect skin from premature ageing. Vitamin C can keep your skin looking great too by aiding in the production of collagen, a protein that makes skin stronger and firmer. Vitamin C-rich foods you should consider adding to your diet include citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers, dark leafy greens and broccoli.

2) Put sunscreen on every day

The sun’s UV rays cause uneven pigment patches and visible signs of ageing like wrinkles. Daily UV exposure can also contribute to rashes and skin cancer. As a result, it’s important to wear sunscreen daily – even if it’s not sunny out as UV rays can still pass through clouds. Slather on a broad-spectrum sunscreen that’s SPF 30 or higher and reapply throughout the day for maximum protection. It’s a good idea to wear sunglasses to protect the delicate skin around your eyes as well.

3) Quit smoking and cut back on alcohol

Smoking damages elastin and deprives your skin of the oxygen and nutrients it needs causing it to look dull and sallow. Alcohol is rough on the skin too because it dehydrates it. Quitting smoking and reducing your alcohol consumption are the best things you can do for your skin.

4) Wash your face with a cream cleanser

Cleansing should be part of everyone’s skincare routine. Take your makeup off and wash your face every night before going to bed to prevent dirt and excess oils from clogging your pores. Try using a cream cleanser instead of a foaming one – many creamy cleaners have replenishing oils to keep your skin moisturized and looking fresh.

5) Apply a retinol at night

Dermatologists all agree on one thing: retinols are key when treating maturing skin. Retinols contain vitamin A derivatives which get converted into retinoic acid. This ingredient exfoliates the top layer of skin at quick speeds to smooth away fine lines and prevent new wrinkles from forming. It also reduces hyperpigmentation and enhances collagen production. Add a retinol to your night-time routine and apply it after you’ve cleaned your face. Avoid using it in the day as sunlight stops the retinoic acid from working.

6) Moisturise religiously

Skin loses moisture, nutrients and natural oils as it gets older which causes it to look and feel dry. To combat this, apply a moisturizer on damp, clean skin in the morning and at night. Moisturizers trap the water in your skin to make it look supple and radiant. If you have very dry skin, pick a moisturizer that contains ingredients like glycerine, hyaluronic acid, proteins and mineral oil. Go for products with alpha-hydroxy acids if you have oily or acne-prone skin.

7) Go for regular facial acupuncture treatments

What do Kim Kardashian, Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow have in common? They all do facial acupuncture. Facial acupuncture, also known as cosmetic acupuncture, is an effective and safe way to get radiant, more youthful skin. When acupuncture points on the face are stimulated, blood flow and skin elasticity are enhanced. This helps smooth out fine lines, reduce puffiness under the eyes, tighten pores and increase skin moisture. Facial acupuncture can be used as a preventative measure too as it can slow the ageing process down by boosting collagen levels.

The best part? There’s no downtime so you’ll leave your acupuncturist feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. It’s a great alternative compared to invasive, expensive treatments like fillers and Botox. Most extended health plans with acupuncture coverage also cover facial acupuncture.