When we think of those who have aged like a fine wine, we think of Jennifer Aniston, Halle Berry and Kevin Costner. *chefs kiss* While some of us might feel like we’re simply just aging, we’re here to tell you that aging gracefully is achievable with the right practices and products – you just have to age smarter.
What skin care practices should I be doing now to age gracefully?
After sifting through all the “anti-aging” products in the beauty aisle, it can get a little confusing (and pricey!) when trying to distinguish what products actually work. To clarify, one anti-aging product is not “skin care.” We know we can’t turn back the clocks, but we can take preventative actions to slow the effects of aging. Here’s some essential tips for your aging gracefully skin care and wellness routine.
Protect your skin from the sun everyday with SPF.
Even if it’s the middle of the winter, or you’re just running a quick errand to the store or working close to the windows, sun protection is essential! Use a sunscreen that is broad-spectrum, SPF 30 (or higher, don’t go lower) and water resistant. Regular use of sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher helps keep skin healthy and prevents age spots and discoloration.
Wash your face twice a day and after a workout with a gentle cleanser.
Facial cleansing is important for removing dirt, excess oil, unwanted skin cells and makeup. If not cleansed properly, all these things accumulate at the surface of skin and could potentially contribute to breakouts, dehydration and ... you guessed it, aging. Gentle cleansers preserve your skin’s natural moisture barrier and pH while keeping it resistant to dehydration and damage.
Moisturize...and don’t forget about your neck!
Skin is the body’s largest organ and requires regular attention to stay young and healthy. Some people think that moisturizing can create acne or make oily skin worse, but that’s a myth. The skin on your face, ears neck and chest are the most frequent areas of the body known to develop skin cancer because they are the most exposed areas to the sun. These areas of skin also shed cells more rapidly than other parts of the body and need moisture to repair. By moisturizing these areas with the proper ingredients, you can keep your skin looking younger and protect them from harmful UV rays. Look for moisturizers that contain ingredients that help boost skin renewal and collagen production. Check out our Neck Cream and Collagen and Vit C moisturizers!
*Pro tip: Apply neck cream in an upward motion. Up = lifting!
Use a retinol serum or moisturizer to address deep wrinkles.
Retinol is a form of vitamin A and is known to reduce signs of aging by improving appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It can be used to combat acne by increasing cell turnover and decreasing the production of oil. When applied topically, retinol helps bring skin back to a more youthful state by increasing collagen production and preventing the breakdown of collagen that already exists. It helps promote healthier-looking skin by naturally turning around concerns like dullness and rough texture. Gentle enough for daily use and perfect for retinol beginners, our moisturizer and serum are lightweight and absorb quickly into skin for firmer, smoother looking skin.
Apply nourishing eye cream or gel in the AM and PM.
Eye care is crucial to your skin care routine. The eye area is one of the first area’s of your face to show signs of aging. Because the skin around the eyes is very delicate, extremely thin and lacks oil glands, moisturizing with an eye cream, not just a moisturizer, is necessary to help restore and rejuvenate this area. Baebody’s Eye Gel is powered by natural ingredients and helps reduce the appearance of puffiness, dark circles, under eye bags and wrinkles. With over 10,000+ 5-star reviews on amazon, it’s safe to say our eye gel is the real deal. If gel formulas are not your thing, we also carry a cream-based eye treatment that is just as effective! You can learn more about our rosehip eye cream here.
Use a natural-based oil or serum to prevent hair thinning.
Hair loss happens as we age. If you’re looking for thicker eyelashes, eyebrows and hair, castor oil is your new go-to. Baebody’s Castor Oil Serum is a powerful blend for eyelashes, eyebrows, hair and skin. This serum provides nourishment to help promote hair growth for thicker, fuller and more vibrant eyebrows and eyelashes. Rich with vitamin E and fatty acids, castor oil helps repair hair follicles due to its natural moisturizing and conditioning properties.
We’ve talked about the skin care practices to start now so you can age smarter. It’s now time to talk about what practices to put into place outside of skin care.
What non skin care practices should I be doing now to age gracefully?
Skin care anti-aging etiquette isn’t the only thing that can slow the effects of aging. Our everyday lifestyle choices can cause our skin to age prematurely, so it’s important to make healthy choices for a youthful-looking glow and better feeling you. Let’s discuss a few tips to help you age gracefully from the inside out.
Drink more water.
Health experts urge following the “8x8” rule, which recommends consuming eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day. However, the recommended amount of water varies person to person as it is based on age, weight, gender, activity level, how much you sweat and even where you live. Set a goal of drinking between half an ounce and an ounce of water for each pound you weigh, every day. Drinking enough water helps the body flush out toxins, so drink that high quality H2O!
Stay active.
Exercise pumps up your endorphins; endorphins make you happy! Exercise is important for mental health because it lowers stress and improves sleep, skin and bone health. And on the skin note, it increases the blood flow to cells (yes – skin cells!) and nourishes them. This steady blood flow carries away the waste products from the cells, thus cleansing the skin. A nice brisk walk or jog...a nice skin cleanse. It goes hand in hand folks! As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day.
Nourish yourself.
Nourishing your body with whole foods is essential for overall health and wellness. A balanced diet rich in good fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, is the key to aging gracefully. Foods such as walnuts, salmon, tuna, berries and avocados are great for protecting your skin because they contain certain vitamins and minerals that help skin look firmer and slow premature aging. Adding in supplements like our new collagen tea is a great way to boost hair, skin, nails, and joint strength from the inside out. Did we mention, it is a delicious vanilla hibiscus flavor, caffeine free & contains your daily dose of collagen?! If collagen isn’t your cup of tea (pun intended), go for gummies! Our natural hemp gummies support your digestive health, reduce inflammation, while giving you an immunity boost!
Catch some Z’s.
Nope, you can’t put this one off. Adults need between 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. A lack of sleep will show visible signs of aging on your face because your skin won’t renew itself and will start to look dull. The more hours of sleep you get, the more time your skin has to recover. Skin cells turn over more quickly when you sleep, so be sure to get some shut eye.
Conclusion
If you want to age gracefully, follow these practices. Our choices impact our health, which impacts our skin. As our parents always told us, make good choices! Because hey, who’s to say you’re not going to be the next Jennifer Aniston, Halle Berry or Kevin Costner?
