Not everyone can afford to fight wrinkles with injections, plastic surgeries, chemical peels or even expensive boutique products. However, the truth is that fighting the tell-tale signs of aging does not have to mean spending a lot of money or time. A little ingenuity and small changes in daily routine can reap noticeable results.
Start on the Inside
If you smoke, quit. Aside from the numerous health hazards smoking poses, it is one of the most devastating culprits where wrinkles are concerned. Staying hydrated is equally vital. Poor hydration takes its toll in dry, withered-looking skin, so drink plenty of fluids. How do you know if you're hydrated enough? Clear urine is the easiest marker of proper hydration. As for diet, don't cut out fats altogether. To fight the signs of aging, keep unsaturated fats in your diet through nuts, fish and olive oil.
Protect Against Sun
Unprotected exposure to sun and tanning beds will also wreak havoc---now and later. Use high-SPF sunblock at all times--not just when you plan to be outdoors. An unexpected chat in a supermarket parking lot can quickly result in sun damage. If you feel too pale, there are a number of inexpensive sunless tanning products available, which provide a natural glow without the risk of skin damage.
Exfoliate
Exfoliation is essential to wrinkle reduction and younger-looking skin. Layers of dead skin can hang around for some time, covering newer, younger skin growing underneath. Extra layers of skin also cause wrinkles to appear deeper. Use exfoliating scrub for one minute daily, before using a facial cleanser. A 10-oz. container of exfoliating scrub---available at any pharmacy for around $5--should last a month and provide marked results. In a pinch, use granulated sugar, moistened with water.
Choose the Right Cleanser
Using nothing at all is quite literally better than using bar soap to wash your face. Bar soaps---even those containing body moisturizers---can dry out the face or leave a dulling film. Invest $5 in a cleanser that contains green tea extract. It will clean deeply without dehydrating, while invigorating and tightening skin noticeably and immediately. Some green tea cleansers also contain an exfoliating agent, allowing you to accomplish two steps in one.
Tighten With Caffeine
Externally-applied caffeine works wonders to tighten skin, especially around the eyes. While under-eye products containing caffeine are relatively inexpensive and quite effective, dabbing strong tea under and around the eyes has the same effect. Make a batch and store it in the refrigerator to use with your daily routine. The cold tea will help wake you up, as well.
Be Smart With Makeup
Start by applying an oil-free moisturizer morning and night, directly after washing to seal in moisture. Be careful with foundation and powders on wrinkle-prone areas. Some products can quickly cake or gather in wrinkles, accentuating rather than minimizing. Consider mineral powders instead. Invest in a topical product called a "filler" or "sealer"---an extra-concentrated moisturizer with an elastic effect. Fillers are truly one of the best investments available for diminishing the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles.
Control Shine
Oily skin reflects light, and light attracts attention---often to wrinkles. Oil-absorbing sheets are available in small, convenient packs. Use them periodically throughout the day to control oil. A thin paper napkin will do nicely if you run out of blotting papers.
Member Comments