HOW TO MAKE SURE YOUR SKIN STAYS MORE SUPPLE AND LUMINOUS.

Skin sagging and wrinkling is part of the natural aging process. But environmental and personal factors can worsen and accelerate the rate at which your skin loses its elasticity (elastosis). This includes smoking, air pollution, skin exposure and sleep deprivation. Just because skin elasticity decreases with age doesn’t mean that you can’t take proactive steps to ensure your skin stays supple and luminous for as long as possible. Here are the top five ways in which you can improve your skin elasticity:

1. Hydrate Your Skin

If you are dehydrated, your skin will begin to thin and lose its elasticity. That is why it is crucial to ensure your skin is hydrated to help it stay supple and luminous. Water is one of the most important things for overall health, from our skin to our body. And the best way to hydrate your skin is to add a water-based hydrating cream or moisturizer to your skincare routine. It will give the hydration boost your skin needs to stay firm and healthy.

2. Stimulate Collagen Production

With age, collagen (a protein that has important roles for the skin including structure and elasticity) begins to break down which results in sagging, wrinkling and blemishes. Stimulating collagen production through using skincare products containing retinol or vitamin C can help skin cells bind to each other, improving skin elasticity. Taking collagen supplements has also been shown to help restore skin elasticity.

3. Avoid Harsh Sun Exposure

UV rays in sunlight can affect your skin’s health the more you are exposed to it. UV rays cause skin collagen to break down quickly as UV rays damage collagen fibres, causing elastin to build up abnormally, which results in the skin rebuilding incorrectly, forming lines and wrinkles. One of the best ways to protect your skin elasticity is to limit your sun exposure. If you do venture out in the sun, be sure to invest in good sunscreen to protect your skin at all times during the day.

4. Follow a Healthy Diet

A healthy lifestyle including eating whole foods, exercising more, and staying away from excessive alcohol consumption is essential for both body and skin health. Specifically, eating foods like broccoli, greens, citrus fruits, walnuts and almonds can help replenish the elastin in your skin. Some healthy fats including nuts, seeds, oily fish and avocados are natural moisturizers that assist in keeping your skin supple and improving elasticity. Antioxidant foods like berries and green tea help preserve the skin’s elasticity by protecting the skin from the damaging effects of the sun.

5. Get Enough Sleep

Have you ever heard the saying, “I need my beauty sleep” or “You can sleep your skin younger?” They are not just figures of speech – they are actually pretty true. While you sleep, your skin makes new collagen which helps prevent skin sagging and wrinkling. Research has discovered that getting five hours of sleep per night can lead to twice as many fine lines as sleeping seven hours per night would. So, to improve your skin elasticity and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, make sure you get plenty of sleep every night.

These are the top five ways in which you can improve your skin’s elasticity. Begin incorporating these tips into your daily routine and observe how your skin changes for the better.