We’re all looking for that golden ticket to youthful, glowing skin well into aging years. And trust me, those aging years come sooner than you think. As each year passes, many of us will look in the mirror and see increasing and deepening lines and wrinkles.

But surely there is a way to combat this, right?

Yes and No.

Unfortunately, our progression of aging often is due to genetics. But there are still some things to do to slow it down. And most of this stuff is going to give you a happier, healthier life overall, so it’s a win-win!

Good Nutrition

Of course, you always hear how important it is to follow a healthy diet for weight management and heart health, but what you feed into your body can also potentially slow down signs of aging.

While low-fat diets are popular for those of us who are trying to watch the scale, it’s important to remember that dietary fat is a necessity for many bodily functions. Fat is used to create certain hormones, like testosterone, which helps us maintain muscle tone and youthful looking skin.

Keep your sugar consumption low. After a sugar binge, the resulting insulin spike causes the perfect environment for free radicals to run rampant. Free radicals, in turn, weaken cells’ defense systems. Weakened cells then leave the gates open for lines, wrinkles, and skin with a doughy appearance rather than youthful definition.

Stay hydrated. Water is an essential nutrient for the body to function, yet up to 75% of us aren’t properly hydrated. Dehydration can lead to loss of skin elasticity, which can cause sagging skin.

Wear sunscreen every day

Wearing sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher will protect you from harmful UVA and UVB rays, but did you know that it could also undo signs of aging you are already seeing? Continual, regular use of this bathroom cabinet staple proved to reduce skin pigmentation from sunspots, and improve skin texture and clarity, more so than regular moisturizer.

Reduce stress

There has been a direct link proven between stress and aging and disease. Stress alters the DNA of a cell by shortening the protective caps on chromosomes, called telomeres. Studies have shown that people who have higher stress levels have shorter telomeres, which has been linked to heart disease, osteoporosis, and accelerated aging.

Avoid smoking drinking and drugs

This part goes without saying, but all three of these accelerate aging like crazy. Each introduces toxins and free radicals into the body which wreak havoc on your body.

Nicotine in cigarettes causes blood vessels to constrict, and in turn, cells don’t get the level of nutrients and oxygen needed to function at their best.

Alcohol and drug use are particularly hard on the liver. Overuse can lead to jaundice, which is a yellowish tint to the skin that gives a person a sickly looking complexion.

Summary

While genetics does take some credit for the progression of aging, mostly it does come down to lifestyle choices. While we all hope to age beautifully, the harsh truth is that for many of us, time will get the better of us.

So always, remember it is easier to prevent aging rather than deal with it after the fact. So eat mindfully, wear SPF daily, and keep stress levels low.