Stay hydrated and exercise regularly if you want to beat the ravages of ageing.
Do you have friends or family members who seem to never age? No matter how old they get, their appearance is youthful.
Although genes play a role in how the body ages, they are not the only factor in ageing gracefully. Erasing years from your appearance is simpler than most people think.
"When a person is young, it's easy to have clear, translucent skin. Keeping it that way is a life-long commitment," says Veronica Barton-Schwartz, a leading expert in skin care and owner of Veronica Malibu Skin and Body Care Centre in California. "Age is just a number when it comes to good skin care. My skin at 66 is better than it was at 30. I believe that all of us can age with grace and help delay the onset of age-related disease with a healthy lifestyle."
Barton-Schwartz's clientele includes everyone from surfers who have sun-damaged skin to ageing Hollywood actresses who are trying to maintain an edge in their career. She notes that repairing skin must happen from the inside out.
Here are her top recommendations for maintaining that coveted youthful glow:
Avoid skin saboteurs
"Smoking and sun damage accelerate ageing and put you at risk for certain cancers," says Barton-Schwartz. "Apply sunscreen faithfully. Opt for broad-spectrum formulas with antioxidants, such as vitamin C, to offset ultraviolet light. Be sure to wear a 4-inch [10cm] brim hat, UV sunglasses and UV clothing when in the midday sun."
Stay hydrated
"I can always tell when someone isn't drinking enough water from the condition of their skin," says Barton-Schwartz. "Water protects cardiovascular health, keeps the brain in top working condition, facilitates weight loss and promotes detoxification. Water also transports oxygen to our cells, removes waste, and protects our joints and organs."
Eat smart
"What benefits the skin the most is eliminating sugar and white flour from your diet. You should also increase your consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables and lean protein," Barton-Schwartz says.
"Then add in an omega-3 supplement every day. Most associate omega-3s with cardiovascular health but the benefits go far beyond the heart. Omega-3s benefit brain and cognitive function, joint mobility, eye health, and healthy skin and hair, too. My skin looks better and I feel better when I take my omega-3 supplements."
Exfoliate regularly
"A weekly buffing of the skin gets rid of dead skin and stimulates cell turnover," says Barton-Schwartz. "This helps your skin produce new collagen, leaving your face and body feeling smooth and refreshed. I recommend nonabrasive peels."
Break a sweat
"Exercise improves circulation, increasing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your skin cells and tissues, and it also reduces wrinkle-causing inflammation," Barton-Schwartz says.
Food-based nutrients
"Research has shown that many food-based nutrients provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity when applied topically," says Barton-Schwartz. "Topical antioxidants work synergistically to enhance the natural health of the skin alongside a healthy diet and supplements. Our most popular antioxidant moisturiser contains ingredients like grape seed oil, orange flower, neroli, chamomile, sage, bergamot tea, avocado oil and soy."
Sleep well
Barton-Schwartz notes the term "beauty sleep" actually has some science behind it. "Certain hormones are released during specific stages of sleep. A lack of consistent sleep disrupts the normal release of those hormones, impacting every single biological process," she says. "This leads to an increase in inflammatory substances in your bloodstream that damage your skin on a cellular level."
Prioritise oral health
"Poor oral health is linked to everything from heart disease to rheumatoid arthritis," Barton-Schwartz says. "I work with a dentist in Malibu and, when someone thinks they need a facelift, what they really need is to get their teeth fixed. Nothing is more youthful than a healthy, beautiful smile."