Are You Aging Too Fast?

January is all about rejuvenation, mentally and physically. So I thought I’d list some ageing factors the might block your rejuvenation path… Yes, some of the following is hard to achieve, but youth and radiance sure to follow.

1. You’re in the sun too much.

That summer sun is hugely anticipated by the time it rolls around, but you can have too much of a good thing, and in the sun’s case, too much happens quickly. The sun causes the vast majority of skin changes that people associate with ageing. This includes fine lines, wrinkles, brown spots, leathery skin and blackheads—not to mention that it causes skin cancer.

2. You’re Vitamin D deficient (especially in winter).

There are studies that show being deficient in vitamin D can increase your risk of skin cancer and inflammatory skin conditions.  But being vitamin D deficient isn’t itself a bad habit. It’s more of a bad situation—and what is a poor habit is knowing that this deficiency is occurring yet doing little about it. A simple vitamin D supplement could do more than boost your mood, it could also give you a brighter complexion, and benefit prevent those aforementioned skin maladies.

3. You’re sleep-deprived.

Sleep deprivation has some severe consequences on your entire body, and you certainly wear it on your face. This is because being poorly rested is a type of stress for the body, and as you’ll see later in this list, stress is best avoided if you want to look your best and brightest. But that’s not the only trickle-down effect that sleep loss has on your appearance: Sleep deprivation also leads to poor dietary habits which will also contribute to a more aged appearance

4. You’re not moisturising.

This is the most baseline, entry-level form of skincare, and you need to be doing it. Moisturiser traps moisture inside your skin, to keep it firm, supple, and soft all day.

5. You’re not active enough.

To keep all of your body functions sharp, you need to stay healthy. We already discussed getting ample rest, and one other part of being healthy is staying active. Regular exercise will boost circulation around your body, and in turn boost nutrient delivery to your cells. This improves hair health and retention, as well as ensures regular cellular turnover across the surface of your skin—giving you the brightest, smoothest, clearest complexion possible.

6. You’re too stressed.

Stress comes in all shapes and sizes. It can be a high-pressure job. It can be a quarrel with a loved one. It can be an ongoing illness or a one-off bout. And ongoing stress in any shape or form can have a lasting impact, and not just next-day puffy eyes. It can disappear your hairline at record speeds, or even your skin’s collagen production, which leads to stress lines across the brow, crow’s feet at the eyes, plus duller skin and rougher texture. It can also cause acne due to a flux in hormones, and as you age, hyperpigmentation increases—which means the aftermath of those pimples can stay on your face for half a year or more.

7. Your diet isn’t much of one.

Another important part of being healthy is having a healthy diet. You didn’t need me to tell you that, but add “aging faster” as one primary reason to cut back on processed junk food.

8. You drink too much.

A glass of wine or a cold pint are the perfect way to unwind after a stressful day. But know that alcohol can take a seriously bad toll on your entire body—from skin to hair to everything underneath. Moderation is key—and keep it to weekends only plus check out all the hype about antioxidants in red wine. It’s my drink of choice.

9. You smoke.

Smoke induces the same exact cellular changes that UV rays do to damage the skin, which is why smokers exhibit rapid aging. Your teeth become discoloured, the lines around your mouth deepen and you also look really outdated because who smokes these days?

10. You’re dehydrated.

You’ve got to stay hydrated in order to keep your entire body up to par, but on a superficial level, you’ve also got to stay hydrated in order to keep your skin clear, firm, bright, and smooth. Try and stick to two litres a day if you can.