How Lifestyle Choices Impact Your Skin

Was it Catherine Deneuve who famously said that after a ‘certain age’ a woman must choose her face or figure? If not, it was probably another beautiful European! Seriously, though, after age 40, being super-model thin makes you look gaunt and older than your years. Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and consistent moderate exercise will keep your body fit and your face fabulous.

The Dangers Of Yo-Yo Dieting

Except for frying yourself in the sun while puffing on a Marlboro Light, a surefire way to court wrinkles is to keep gaining and losing 10- 20 pounds. When women lose weight, it comes off their face and breasts first, leading to slackened, inelastic skin.

When you gain weight, the extra fat stretches the skin; when you lose it the skin sags and deflates. Imagine this happening over and over again—not a pretty picture! The degree to which your skin will sag depends on age—it gets harder to bounce back as we get older. Further, besides taking a toll on your skin, continuously gaining and losing weight is bad for your overall health.

You Are What You Eat

Today, a number of studies show that eating organic whole foods can beautify the skin. Resist the temptation to go “fat free” though, as good fats like the ones found in salmon, avocadoes, olive oil and almonds are packed with skin-friendly ingredients that improve your skin’s condition. Moreover, skimping on healthy fats leads to dull and dehydrated skin. Make good fats a diet staple and you’ll be rewarded with more youthful-looking skin.

Exercise Smarter, Not Harder

Exercise is vital for a healthy heart and body. Intense aerobic exercise, however, can be detrimental to your skin. After age 30, women should concentrate on resistance training, stretching and low-impact activities like swimming, cycling and power walking.

High-impact exercise increases stress on the skin with constant repetitive motion. Over time, this leads to too much facial fast loss. Need evidence? Female distance runners over age 40 often are trim as can be, but have a haggard and drawn appearance.

Put Your Best Face Forward

In addition to maintaining a healthy weight, follow these tips to reveal a healthy complexion:

Avoid excessive stress and get plenty of sleep.

• Shun the sun during peak hours—10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and protect your skin with SPF daily.
• Don’t smoke. Not only does it lead to a host of health problems, it`s murder on your skin.
• Drink lots of water—hydrated skin looks plumper is less prone to wrinkling.
• Consume caffeinated beverages and alcohol in moderation.
• Eat a healthy and balanced diet, avoiding excessive sugar and processed foods.

Source: carefair.com