Steps to Aging Gracefully!
If you’re like me, you want to turn back the clock on aging. Maybe you don’t actually want to be 30 again, but you sure wouldn’t mind looking as if you were. I’ve got one of the word for you: collagen.
Collagen is the protein responsible for giving us smooth, firm skin that comes effortless in our youth. The bad news is that as we age, our bodies slow down the natural production of collagen. If you happen to have any sweatpants from your twenties, think of the elastic band in the waist of those pants, which is by now permanently stretched out. They don’t snap back like they used to anymore. This same thing happens to our skin. As our collagen depletes through time, our skin loses its elasticity and starts to sag.
Luckily, there are some secret techniques that you can integrate into your life in order to naturally boost collagen production. And you needn’t start any fad diet or uproot your life in any crazy way. These tips are surprisingly simple to take part in your daily routine.
Check out the list below:
Sip Water Consistently – You have to have been living under rock not to know that water is extremely beneficial for your skin. But it’s not just about moisture so that your skin doesn’t end up dry and flaky. When your skin is hydrated, it creates the perfect conditions for collagen to form and grow. How much water is enough? You should be drinking half of your body weight in water. If you weigh 120 pounds, you need to be consuming 60 ounces of water or more per day. No exceptions.
Get Your Beauty Rest – It’s not just an expression; it literally is beauty rest. When our bodies go to sleep for the night, it is our cells’ chance to repair all of the damage that was done to the body throughout the day. When you shave off hours of sleep, you deprive your body of time that could be spent manufacturing collagen. Not only does it feel better to get a good night’s sleep, it literally helps your skin look better. Aim for at least seven hours per night, and you’ll be happy with the results.
Eat Your C’s – Vitamin C is vital when it comes to collagen formation and when you integrate Vitamin C-rich foods into your diet, you are giving your skin the tools to become tighter and firmer. Obviously oranges are the most popular form of this important vitamin, but Vitamin C can be found in an array of other foods as well. Make room for red and green peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, strawberries, pineapple, kiwi, papaya, brussel sprouts and parsley on your shopping list. Your skin will thank you.
**Don’t forget to apply Vitamin C directly to your skin. Applying Enlighten Serum to your face stimulates collagen production and helps fight free radicals. Get Yours Right Here.
Exfoliate – As we age, our skin cells start to turn over less often. When we are in our teen years, our cells turn over about every 21-28 days, but by the time we are in our 50s, those numbers look more like every 45-84 days. Our skin needs a little helping hand in the exfoliation department. When you partake in some moderate exfoliation, it removes the dead cells and shocks them into producing new cells which simultaneously triggers collagen production. A good practice is to gently exfoliate once a week. Be sure to choose a good exfoliator that won’t compromise your skin barrier.
If you can manage to incorporate these four tips into your routine and partner with your Esthetician, you will be well on your way to firmer, more youthful skin.