5 tips on how to look younger and brighter
There are so many upsides to getting older: wisdom, life experiences, richer relationships and more free time to explore your interests. As for those wrinkles and other pesky signs of ageing? Not so ideal – especially when you still feel like your younger self inside! Thankfully, there are plenty of natural anti-ageing strategies that actually work. Here are our pick of the best.
1. Invest in shapewear
Shapewear sculpts and smooths your figure, instantly transforming you into a more youthful, toned-looking version of yourself. “You need to consider your shape and having the right foundation garments before you even think about clothes,” advises Mel Brady, 54-year-old model and stylist. “It’s incredible what shapewear will do, even with clothes that you already have in your wardrobe.” Brady, who owns a suitcase full of shapewear, advises getting properly fitted for a bra and shapewear in a department store, then using these garments as the base for figure-flattering ensembles.
2. Move more
As well as the worthy disease-prevention benefits of exercise, there’s a compelling cosmetic one – it can reverse skin ageing. Research from Canada’s McMaster University reveals that people over 40 who exercise regularly have healthier skin that’s closer in composition to that of 20 and 30-year-olds. What’s more, even sedentary people who start exercising at age 65 or older can reverse-age their skin.
3. Eat your super nutrients
Forget expensive procedures or ‘miracle’ creams. An antioxidant-rich diet that includes plenty of fresh produce, combined with fish oil supplements, is the trick to helping skin look smoother and younger. In a UK study, post-menopausal women who took omega-3 supplements and a drink containing the antioxidants lycopene, vitamin C and E plus soy isoflavones daily for 14 weeks enjoyed a significant reduction in the depth of their facial wrinkles. The nutrients also stimulated collagen production, linked to younger, plumper-looking skin.
4. Tame stray hairs
For men, thick, lustrous hair is a plus - unless it’s sprouting from your nose or ears, that is! It’s an unfortunate fact that hair tends to grow more from these unwanted places as we age. “Don’t just pretend it’s not there, take a bit of pride in tending to your grooming,” encourages stylist Mel Brady. You can buy an ear and nose trimmer at good pharmacies and electronic stores – they are quick and easy to use and will help trim (pun intended) a few years off your appearance.
5. Get good sleep!
It turns out, shut-eye is called beauty sleep for a good reason. A Swedish study found that people are perceived by others as healthier and more attractive after a single night of good sleep, compared to after a night of poor sleep. Other research shows that skimping on sleep accelerates skin ageing, leading to more fine lines, uneven pigmentation, slackening of skin and reduced elasticity. Poor sleepers are also more likely to have a higher BMI – another ageing factor.
Written by Bonnie Bayley. Republished with permission of wyza.com.au.