Tips to prevent premature aging

Keeping your skin looking young and beautiful can be difficult, especially if you have bad habits that can cause premature ageing.

If you ignore the negative side effects of some of these habits, wrinkles will start to appear sooner.

Sleeping with make-up on, or not removing it properly, will result in your skin aging. The make-up will clog up your pores and prevent your skin from breathing during the night.

Get into the habit of removing your make-up as soon as you get home. You should also use the right make-up remover for your skin type. Choose lotions and creams that will cleanse and nourish your skin.

Cigarette smoking is definitely a contributor to premature skin aging. Cigarettes contain harmful chemicals that affect the condition of your skin and cause the appearance of wrinkles.

Consider quitting if you want beautiful, elastic skin.

Alcohol dehydrates the skin, whether you are drinking wine or your favourite cocktail.

After drinking too much alcohol, you will notice that your skin will become lifeless and dull. You will also notice the loss of elasticity if you go out drinking every night.

Young and beautiful skin starts with your diet. Consuming too much refined sugar and foods that affect your blood sugar levels will also cause premature aging.

Too much sugar will make your skin feel puffy and lacking elasticity. Start consuming larger quantities of fruits and vegetables for healthier looking skin.

Lack of protection against the sun. Do you really need another reason to apply sunblock? If you are concerned about your skin, then you will get into the habit as early as possible.

The sun can cause your skin’s collagen to breakdown and in turn, wrinkles appear sooner.

Use sunscreen every single day to slow down the hands of time. You will also be protecting your skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays.

r Compiled by Caxton East Rand and South features writer, Carmen Norton.