With passing of time, signs of age start affecting your body, and the skin is no exception. In fact, the skin is the part where these signs are most apparent.

While the sway of time and age is inevitable, it is possible to slow the process of aging in your skin. Here are five easy steps to keep your skin smooth, supple, and glowing for longer.

Step 1: Gentle cleansing 

Wash your face twice a day with lukewarm water. Use a gentle face wash or cleanser that suits your skin, and avoid soap. Soaps have a high pH and can be harsh on your skin.

The key is to cleanse your face thoroughly, yet gently. This removes any excess oils, dirt bacteria, pollutants as well as makeup, or any other skincare product you may have applied during the day.

Regular cleansing maintains hydration, protects against damage, and is also a very effective protection against acne.

You should also use a scrub once times a week to exfoliate dead skin. As you grow older, your skin's ability to rejuvenate slows. If the dead skin cells are not removed, your skin will appear dull, lacklustre, and aged. An exfoliator or scrub will remove these dead cells from the skin and leave it with a youthful sheen.

Step 2: Moisturise

Dehydrated skin is one of the major reasons for fine lines and wrinkles. Make sure to moisturise your face before you head out in the morning, and before going to bed. The night is the time when your skin heals and rejuvenates, and a well-hydrated skin promotes proper regeneration of the skin.

Use a moisturiser based upon your skin type - normal, dry, or oily; and ensure that your skin is properly cleansed before you moisturise, otherwise, it will trap dirt and other impurities in your pores, leading to acne.

In addition to using a moisturiser, drink lots of water. Drinking 6-8 glasses (2 litres) of water every day keeps your skin hydrated, healthy and supple-looking.

Step 3: Use Sunscreen

Photo-aging is a major cause of skin aging. The UV rays present in sunlight break down collagen - which is the protein in your skin that gives it elasticity - leading to damaged skin and wrinkles. Moreover, sunlight can lead to uneven pigmentation spots and sunburns.

Avoid going out in the Sun as much as possible, and when you have to, apply broad-spectrum Sunscreen of SPF (Sunlight Protection Factor) 30 or higher. Research has shown that people who apply sunscreen daily show significantly lesser signs of skin aging than those who do not use sunscreen or do not use it regularly.

Additionally, protect yourself from sunlight by wearing hats, sunglasses, and full-sleeved shirts.

The Luxe Day Cream SPF 30 by elline Switzerland provides protection to your skin from UV-A and UV-B radiations. It also contains a complex of spherical gold crystals and short-chain hyaluronic acid, to nourish your skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Moth bean extracts and Swiss glacial water keep you looking refreshed, invigorated, and youthful throughout the day.

Step 4: Consider using retinoids

Retinoids are Vitamin A derivatives that have revolutionised the anti-aging skincare industry.
With passing time, your skin loses the ability to heal and starts losing collagen - the protein that gives your skin elasticity and keeps it smooth.

Retinoids help in increasing the collagen production in the skin, increase the microcirculation, and accentuate cellular renewal, hence fighting off fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. 

Retinoids also have antioxidant action and help fight against free radical damage (Oxidative damage caused by free radicals is one of the principal causes of aging).

Most retinoids, like tretinoin, are not available across the counter and you will need your doctor's prescription to buy them. Also keep in mind that retinoids are irritants, and they also increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight, so they must be used only at night time.

Vit-A-Like: A brand new concept in anti-aging

Even though Retinol (vitamin A) and its derivatives have caused waves in the skincare and anti-aging industry, it has some shortcomings. It is an irritant to the skin, and in formulation, retinol is unstable.

Vit-a-Like has been developed as a groundbreaking alternative to retinol. Vit-A-Like has been proven to have similar effects and equivalent performance to retinol, but with added benefits of being more stable and well tolerated by the skin. 

Vit-A-Like is made from natural ingredients, and promotes keratinisation, provides collagen synthesis, and causes significant depletion in wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots.

Step 5: Maintain a healthy diet

Photo by fotografierende on Pexels

This may come as a surprise, but having a healthy, wholesome and balanced diet is a crucial step in maintaining a youthful skin

The skin is also a living organ that gets damaged over time, from various factors like pollutants, stress, sunlight, etc. To heal and rejuvenate, the skin needs a number of nutrients that must come from your food.

• Make sure to get your daily dose of minerals and vitamins. Eat lots of fruits and green vegetables, which are rich in these nutrients and antioxidants.
• Fatty fish like salmon are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, which prevent inflammation and also help fight against UV related Sun damage.
• The skin is made up of proteins, and the proteins collagen and elastin keep your skin smooth, elastic, and wrinkle-free. So it is necessary to include the necessary amount of proteins into your diet. Add lots of pulses and legumes to your diet, along with some chicken and fish, to see the change in your skin texture and health.
• Cut down on the sugar. Research has shown that a high sugar concentration in your bloodstream impedes healing and promotes aging. So avoid those doughnuts and cupcakes, and all other foods with a high glycaemic index.
• Reduce caffeine and alcohol intake, as they have a dehydrating effect on your body.
• Drink lots of water.

In short:

For youthful, radiant skin, remember to cleanse and moisturise it daily, but also be gentle about it. Protect your skin from environmental damage, especially from sunlight, and maintain healthy wholesome food habits to promote skin rejuvenation and healing.