Six easy steps to younger looking skin

Every woman’s dream is to look and feel young from within! Ageing is a natural part of everyone’s life, but by taking care of yourself and following a few healthy lifestyle tips; you can age a little more slowly and a lot more gracefully. 

1. Choose the right foods: Getting enough Thiamine, Zinc and Calcium is beneficial to your skin health overall. We also know that adding anti-oxidant rich foods to your diet, such as those high in Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Selenium, will help your skin’s cells repair themselves from environmental damage. Incorporating some of the nutrient-rich foods below in your diet will help your skin look more radiant and healthy.

• Vitamin C: Get yours by eating oranges, lemons, strawberries, kiwi fruit, mangoes, melons, peppers and tomatoes.
• Vitamin E: Corn, nuts, seeds, olives, avocados and vegetable oils are all rich in Vitamin E.
• Thiamine or vitamin B1: Found in whole grains, lean meats, fish, beans and peas.
• Zinc: Although mainly found in meat, you can also get it from peanuts, peanut butter and beans.
• Selenium: Found in fish, shellfish, red meat, eggs, chicken liver and vegetarian sources such as garlic and grains.
• Calcium: Milk, yogurt, labneh and cheese are packed with calcium.

2. Limit your treats: Foods and beverages high in sugars, like sweetened fruit juices and desserts, as well as foods high in fats, like Arabic sweets, fried foods, ice cream, fatty meats, creamy cheeses and cakes are okay as occasional treats, not as a major part of your diet. Instead, choose healthier, skin-benefiting alternatives, like fresh or dried fruits and low-fat yoghurt.

3. Cook to retain nutrients: Get the most benefits by choosing fresh foods, like salads and fruit whenever the option is available. When cooking, use techniques like steaming, grilling, baking or microwaving in order to retain more of the vitamin content in your food. 

4. Stay hydrated: Water is essential to our survival and our skin. Drinking at least eight cups of water each day will keep your skin soft, supple and hydrated from the inside out. Remember, by the time you feel thirsty you are already dehydrated! 

5. Get moving: Activity improves your circulation and moves nutrients around your body, which helps your skin glow. It’s important to make sure you move a little every day and aim to raise your heart rate by participating in cardiovascular activity – walking, jogging or dancing for instance – at least three times a week. Exercise will also help you build muscle and keep your bones strong, so you will feel as young as you look!  

6. Say ‘no’ to stress: We can all use a little less stress in our lives and so can our skin. Stress affects your complexion, making it look dull and tired. To send the stress of your day sailing away, pamper yourself by adding a few drops of essential oil to your bath. Once you’ve toweled off, use a rejuvenating moisturizer and make yourself an herbal tea to sip in a quiet corner of the house where you can meditate before you go to bed. Treat yourself to a massage every once in a while and indulge in the power of music to transport you to somewhere else for at least five minutes each day. 

Who knew healthy skin could be so good for you? To help keep you on track, post this article, along with a photo of someone who inspires you, somewhere in the house to remind you to follow these six steps every day.