One of the most difficult aspects of aging is the effect it has on our skin. One day, it seems to creep up on us when we look into the bathroom mirror and see a line in between our eyes or a white eyebrow hair. Unfortunately, as we age, our skin loses its elasticity and begins to wrinkle and sag. Some of the most common signs of aging include crow’s feet, frown lines, lines around the mouth, and skin discoloration. Many people notice that their skin takes on a drier texture as they advance in age. Unfortunately, we are all aware that we cannot stop the aging process, but we certainly adapt habits to decrease the effect of aging on our skin. Today, we would like to discuss ways to reduce premature aging to the skin.

 Refrain From Drug and Alcohol Use

We’re not saying to give up alcohol altogether, but rather to drink alcohol in moderation. Alcohol damages the liver because it is a hepatoxin, which means that it damages the cells in your body, including your skin cells. Alcohol also dehydrates you, which contributes to wrinkles and sagging skin. It goes without saying that drug use such as cocaine, crack, and methamphetamine will absolutely wreck your skin. One of the symptoms of meth use includes the sensation of your skin crawling, which causes you to pick at your skin. As Nancy Reagan once said, just say no to drugs.

 Protect Your Skin From The Sun Daily

Repeated exposure to ultraviolet(UV) light is the biggest factor in aging in skin because it breaks down its collagen. For most of us, staying indoors 24/7 is not an option, so we recommend using SPF 30 sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide daily. Sunscreen use will protect your skin from the free radicals found in sunlight.

 Quit Smoking

Smoking has a hugely negative impact on your skin and your health. Every time you smoke a cigarette, you purse your lips and crease your brow. Over time, this repeated action results in deep lines around both the mouth and the forehead. Also, every time you exhale, you are breathing out a cloud of toxins around your face. Additionally, every time you smoke a cigarette, you’re constricting your blood flow for almost 90 minutes, which prevents the flow of oxygen in your face. Therefore, you are impeding circulation in your face and depleting the collagen and elastin in your face.

 You Are What You Eat

Eating excessive amounts of sugar will over time break down the elasticity of your skin and cause it to appear puffy. Refined sugar as well as simple carbohydrates result in inflammation in your body, which contributes to the breakdown of elastin and collagen in your skin.

Living a clean and healthy lifestyle benefits your skin greatly, so what other steps can you take to prevent premature aging? We recommend ingesting olive leaf extract, which is packed with antioxidants and nutrients. Antioxidants protect the skin against free radical damage found in our environment. Everyday we are exposed to toxins in our food, in the air, and in our medications. By not only protecting us from free radicals but by neutralizing free radicals, olive leaf extract is a very powerful antioxidant.

Are you interested in using olive leaf extract to help protect your skin from premature aging? Shop our online health supplements today!