We all want to age gracefully. At Nature’s Greatest Secret we offer a range of anti-ageing products that you can check out here.
However, in addition, we have put together a list of four tips for ageing well naturally. Note that these are advice for general skincare, so please consider advice from your doctor for treatment for specific conditions.
Use a decent suncream
It’s crucial to opt for a suncream with “broad spectrum” protection. This is due to this type of suncream combating against both UVA and UVB rays. All suncream products protect against UVB rays, which are the primary cause of sunburn and skin cancers. But UVA rays also contribute to skin cancer and premature ageing. Only products that meet a specific criteria can be assigned “broad spectrum” status. Products that aren’t broad spectrum must carry a warning that they only protect against sunburn, not skin cancer or skin ageing.
Make sure your suncream has a sun protection factor (SPF) 30 or higher. The SPF number is the level of protection the sunscreen provides against UVB rays. Higher SPF numbers do mean more protection, but the higher you go, the smaller the difference becomes. SPF 15 suncream filter out about 93% of UVB rays, while SPF 30 sunscreens filter out about 97%, SPF 50 suncream about 98%, and SPF 100 about 99%. No suncream protects you completely. The FDA requires any sunscreen with SPF below 15 to carry a warning that it only protects against sunburn, not skin cancer or skin ageing.
On a seperate note, “water resistant” doesn’t equate to “waterproof.” No sunscreens are waterproof or sweatproof, and manufacturers are not allowed to claim that they are. If a product’s front label makes claims of being water resistant, it must specify whether it lasts for 40 minutes or 80 minutes while swimming or sweating. It’s advisable to reapply suncream at least every 2 hours and even more often if you are swimming or sweating. Suncream usually rubs off when you towel yourself dry, so you will need to put more on.
Sleep
After a big day of repelling UV rays, pollution, sweat and grime, your skin is desperate for a break. Sleep is a time of repair and regeneration across the body, and the skin is no exception. The recovery process at night can be up to three times faster than during the day when it comes to the bodies natural skin repairing.
Sun exposure, pollution and blue light are just some of the everyday elements our skin is exposed to. But at night, all of these are eliminated. In the comfort of your bedroom, with your curtains shut there is no UV damage, no smog or rapid temperature changes, and at night you’re not wearing makeup or sweating lot. In this clean environment, your skin is able to breathe and have some downtime against daily environmental factors. So put down the phone and give your skin a good eight-hour break.
Collagen another huge area of importance when it comes to sleep and healthy skin. It’s key for keeping the skin plump and smooth. And while some creams claim to boost its production, you can’t bottle what sleep does for you. Once you fall asleep, your body starts producing growth hormones. These growth hormones ensure that your skin is producing enough collagen, which helps your skin to remain tight and bouncy and also allows your skin to repair acne and scarring across your body. Not only does collagen benefit your skin, but it also helps to improve and strengthen the hair and nails.
Reduce Stress
Psychological stress can also disrupt the top of layer of the skin, or epidermal barrier, that locks in moisture and protects us from harmful microbes. In addition, it can prolong its repair, according to clinical studies in healthy people. An intact epidermal barrier is essential for healthy skin; when disrupted, it can lead to irritated skin, as well as chronic skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis, or wounds. Psychosocial stress has been directly linked to the exacerbation of these conditions in small observational studies. Acne flares have also been linked to stress, although the understanding of this relationship is still evolving.
Embrace cold water
When it comes to cold water and skincare, it’s in part to do with avoiding the negatives of hot waters as much as the benefits of cold. Hot water can strip your sebum levels, which are the natural healthy oils secreted by the body.
However, cold water also has merits of its own. Cold water therapy has been proven to improve circulation which supports skin health. Additionally, endorphins are also released which aids our last point of stress reduction. Many of these tips overlap and a more holistic approach to wellbeing and health will ensure that the skin is better protected.
Closing thought
It’s clear that there are many ways we can support great anti-ageing products. Be mindful that as amazing as the products available can be, it’s always important to supplement them with a healthy lifestyle, and many of the tips we’ve covered are very simple and won’t take you too long.
Check out our range of anti-ageing products here.