5 Ways to Keep Your Skin Young

March 29, 2010, By Jeff Waddle 0 comments

Here’s a fun trivia fact to toss out at your next family gathering or party with friends—what is the body’s largest organ? It’s your skin, buddy, and you better treat it right or pay the consequences.

Skin cancer is now the fastest growing cancer, accounting for about half of all new cancer cases. And, even if you’re fortunate enough to dodge skin cancer, there is a host of other skin problems, ranging from scaly and itchy patches to wrinkles and the dreaded "crow’s feet" around your eyes.

Keep these Five Tips in mind to nourish and protect your skin, and give yourself a fighting chance at looking young as long as possible.

Cover Up in the Sun

Greasing up in baby oil and sunbathing is so yesterday. Unless you want to look old before your time or worse, get skin cancer, use a good sunscreen every time you’re out in the sun for more than a few minutes. Use a sunscreen with at least a 15 SPF (sun protection factor), and put it on about 10 minutes before you get in the sun for maximum protection.

Re-apply sunscreen every two hours as a general rule. If you’re going to be sweating a lot or swimming, look for a sunscreen that is water resistant or at least re-apply after swimming or vigorous exercise. In addition to protecting you from the sun’s damaging UV and UVB rays, a good sunscreen provides important moisture because prolonged sun exposure will dry your skin out.

When you’re playing a round of golf or doing something else that will keep you out in the sun for hours, it’s important to wear a hat to protect your scalp and your lips from the sun. A baseball cap is good, but a wide-brimmed hat is better. Use a lip balm with 15 SPF for extra protection because your lips can get skin cancer, too, and that’s no fun at all. It’s important to keep your lips moist in cold weather, too, so keep that lip balm handy.

Skip the Long Showers

Long, steamy showers in hot water make you feel great, that is until you get out and your skin starts to shrivel up. Long, hot showers absolutely drain the moisture out of your skin, so limit the time and temperature. Also, use a mild soap or body wash that contains moisturizers. Some organic or natural soaps even contain olive oil or other vegetable oils.

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize

Once you get out of the shower, you should apply a quality body cream before you dry off completely—at least within 10 minutes. That way, you lock in moisture before you skin dries and your skin more effectively absorbs the emollients when it’s still moist.

Generally, you should moisturize once a day, and don’t forget those sensitive areas around your eyes. Using a good eye cream will help prevent crow’s feet at the corners of your eyes and those under-eye bags and dark circles that can make you look tired and, well, old. While you’re at it, rub a little foot cream on your heels and other dry areas of your feet every few days to prevent them from cracking.

For shaving, give your face a break with a rich shave cream and sharp razor. Once you’re done, use an aftershave balm with moisturizers.

You Are What You Eat — and Drink

What you eat and drink can affect your skin’s health, too. Drinking plenty of water keeps your entire body hydrated, including your skin. Conversely, certain drinks can dry you out, like alcohol and carbonated beverages. As you might suspect, smoking is a skin no-no because it also dries you out and causes wrinkles.

On the positive side, certain foods can be very beneficial. Vitamin A contained in low-fat dairy products and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables promote healthy cell growth that regenerates and rejuvenates your skin. Incorporating olive oil into your diet also is a natural skin moisturizer. Add two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to your salad to give your skin a boost of healthy fat.

Get Rid of Dead Skin

Exfoliating dead skin is a good habit because it allows new skin to grow. Use a wash cloth or back scrubber every few days to exfoliate, but be careful not to overdo it and be too rough. Also, take care with grainy, abrasive scrubs that can result in small skin tears. For your face, a simple paste of baking soda and warm water makes an effective yet gentle exfoliate.

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