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Anti-Aging Secrets

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Keep hands looking young by using a scrub made of sugar and lemon juice. The sugar and alpha hydroxy acid from the lemon work as natural exfoliants, helping shed dead skin cells.

If beauty is youth, no wonder we are all after miracle products that are meant to turn back the clock. Anti-aging products are a hot market, with everything from face serums and exfoliants to toning body lotions. But anti-aging goes far beyond beauty products and depends on your beauty regimen and overall lifestyle as well.

When we think of anti-aging secrets, products for the face are generally the first to come to mind. A great item to invest in is a highly-concentrated vitamin C serum. Vitamin C helps boost collagen, helping the face repair itself and stay full and fresh. It also helps brighten skin and even its tone. Another staple for the face is a retinoid cream; this is a vitamin A-derivative compound that has been shown to boost collagen production and cell turnover. It helps plump skin, remove brown spots and smooths fine lines and wrinkles. A dermatologist can prescribe a retinoid cream for daily use, although those with sensitive skin may find it too harsh to use every day. Retinoids aren’t advised for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Consult a dermatologist to determine if you are a candidate for skin resurfacing. The signs of sun damage, such as the top layer of skin appearing brown and having a rough texture, can be improved with a procedure called fractional resurfacing. This is done with lasers in the doctor’s office and can improve skin texture, increase collagen production and minimize wrinkles, sun spots and acne scars.

Sunscreen is an everyday must; UVA and UVB rays can accelerate aging and cause uneven skin tone and dark spots. Look for a sunscreen with zinc or avobenzone in the active ingredients to block out both types of rays. Additional ways to reduce sun exposure include walking on the shady side of the street and wearing UV-protective clothing when exercising outdoors.

Makeup can play a role in creating a youthful appearance. Some minor mistakes may add five or ten years to your face. Try switching from powder foundation to liquid. Powder tends to settle into fine lines and wrinkles, making them seem more exaggerated. To help brighten your face and make teeth look whiter, swipe on a bright, vibrant lipstick instead of a muted or nude color. If your lips have become smaller over the years, try a rose or berry shade close to your lip color to make lips look full yet natural. Make sure to keep lips moisturized with a great lip balm; this will help them stay plump and smooth. To keep eyes from giving away your age, use a primer to keep eyeshadow from settling into wrinkles and curl your eyelashes. As you age, lashes lose their volume; a quick hit from the curler will help them regain an uplifted look.

Remember, age shows not only in your face; hands, legs, upper arms and neck show sun exposure and other effects of aging too. Keep hands looking young by using a scrub made of sugar and lemon juice. The sugar and alpha hydroxy acid from the lemon work as natural exfoliants, helping shed dead skin cells. Use a body cream with pro-retinol A or niacin. Keeping skin moisturized, whether it is on hands, arms, neck or face, is a way to keep it looking healthy and young.

Improve your diet by including as many anti-oxidant-rich foods as possible. Signs of aging are partially due to the damage from free radicals in cells. Try drinking green tea and adding in more berries to get an antioxidant punch. To help sustain the collagen and elastin in your skin, eat grapes three times a week or take a grapeseed extract supplement. Vitamins C, D and E help ward off wrinkles; get more by eating avocado, citrus fruits and nuts. Include omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, preferably from natural sources such as salmon, olive oil and ground flaxseed. Staying hydrated helps plump the skin and flush out toxins; along with drinking water, include foods high in water content, such as watermelon and cucumbers, in your diet.

Try to avoid white sugar; it binds to the collagen in skin over time, causing it to weaken and leading to sagging and wrinkles. Limiting alcohol intake can also help slow down the clock; excess alcohol causes dehydration that makes skin look dull. Lowering salt intake as you age is also a smart move. Salt increases water retention, which leads to looking puffy.

Most of all, smile widely and genuinely and keep a positive attitude! Beauty is both an external and internal quality. Exercise and maintain your optimal physical fitness level. Stay up to date on technology; keep your interpersonal relationships upbeat. Being happy and involved in life are the best anti-aging secrets known to womanhood.

With the right mix of beauty products, makeup tips, diet and attitude, you have the power to keep everyone guessing your real age. Try it!