From The Straits Times    |

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#1 Wear sunscreen every day
Prevent sun damage by using your most important skincare product – sunscreen.

Apply a broad-spectrum one offering UVA and UVB protection over your face, hairline, neck, nape and ears daily, rain or shine.

#2 Sleep at a regular time
Our circadian rhythms are thrown off when we sleep at irregular hours every day, and our skin cannot renew or repair itself as efficiently.

This results in a dull complexion the morning after a late night, and over time, can cause skin to wrinkle and age prematurely.

Try not to use your smartphone or watch the telly before bedtime as bright screens suppress melatonin, a hormone that makes us sleepy. 

#3 Pamper your neck and decolletage
Skin at the neck is thinner than facial skin, which is why lines tend to appear earlier on the decolletage.

Take better care of this delicate area by extending to it the application of all your skincare products – cleanser, serum, moisturiser and sunscreen.

#4 Clarify first
As we age, the renewal process of skin cells slows down. Regulate it up by exfoliating twice every week from head to toe.

This not only removes dead cells, it also loosens dirt and oil in pores, and boosts blood circulation for smoother skin and improved radiance.

Look for non-gritty scrubs that can irritate and scratch your skin, and use those with microbeads, or sugar crystals. You can also use a mud mask to get a deeper cleanse.

 

#5 Stop pursing your lips
Just like repeated movements around the eyes cause fine lines and crow’s feet, pursing your lips when you speak, sip through straws, drink hot beverages or smoke can cause wrinkles to form earlier around the mouth.

So stop pursing them – and stop smoking!

#6 Cut down on sugar
This seemingly innocuous ingredient is a major cause of inflammation in the body, which leads to problems like joint pain and fatigue.

It also causes glycation, the breaking down of collagen, causing wrinkles and a loss of skin elasticity.

#7 Keep your hands away
Allergens, bacteria and viruses transfer from your hands to your face every time you touch it.

If you are prone to breakouts, existing acne-causing bacteria can spread to other parts of your face, together with excess oil and dead skin cells, causing more pimples.

Eczema can also be aggravated this way. Also, rubbing your eyes hastens the onset of wrinkles, and breaks the capillaries, intensifying the appearance of dark under-eye circles.

 

This article was originally published in Simply Her August 2014 issue.