April is National Facial Protection Month, so in honor of this month, we are bringing you the top 7 ways to protect your face and slow aging. All of these preventative techniques will protect you and keep you young, so you will look and feel great for your whole life!
Protect your face from injury during sports
Helmets, protective eye gear, mouth guards, and face shields are important during a variety of sports. Protect yourself and your kids from injury.
Sleep with a humidifier
A humidifier is great year-round, but especially in winter, to prevent skin from getting too dry and reducing the number of allergens in the air. In addition the the great moisture it can give your skin, it may also help with allergies. Plus, many people find the soft white noise soothing while they sleep, and improved sleep means improved skin!
Protect your skin from the sun
There are multiple ways you can externally protect your skin from the sun’s rays, which are extremely aging and contribute to skin cancer.
- Shade
- Wear clothes or accessories that will help shade your skin. Sunglasses, hats, and beach cover-ups are all great ideas if you will be out in the sun for hours.
- Umbrellas or staying under a shaded spot will also significantly reduce your exposure to sun rays.
- Sunscreen
- Your best bet with sunscreen is to skip the chemical-based sunscreens, which contain hormone disruptors, and go with a natural sunscreen that contains physical sunblocks. Not only are the physical sunblocks safer, they also block both UVA and UVB rays, unlike the chemical sunblocks. UVA rays are more dangerous than once thought, and they play a role in aging and skin cancer risk, so use an all-natural, full-spectrum sunscreen with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as active ingredients. EWG’s Skin Deep database can help you choose a good low-toxicity sunscreen.
Be gentle on your skin
Often people with acne try many harsh, drying remedies on their skin, but this can further irritate the skin and make it even more acne-prone. Your facial skin is very sensitive, so use gentle cleansers, oils, and masks. One Peach Vitamins employee almost never washes her face with soap and instead removes makeup and cleanses with the oil cleansing method. This method is great for all skin types and can reduce acne! Using all-natural skin products and makeup is another way to be kind to your face instead of slathering it with chemicals.
Take supplements for skin health
- Astaxanthin (especially if you are prone to burns)
- Astaxanthin, a type of red pigmentation from algae, is a powerful antioxidant that is somewhat similar to beta carotene. It can help with fine lines, skin moisture, skin texture, spots, and improve overall skin appearance. Furthermore, astaxanthin can act as an internal sunscreen. By taking it daily, you can increase your body’s internal protection against UVA and UVB rays. Start at least a month before you know you have significant sun exposure.
- Collagen
- Collagen makes up about 80% of the dry weight of your skin, so that and water are two of the keys to great skin. When we are young, our body’s production of collagen keeps our skin looking full, soft, and young. As we age, our body’s natural production of collagen gradually slows, so you can help make up the difference with a collagen supplement.
- Phytoceramides
- Phytoceramides are powerful antioxidants that can help reduce skin aging. Antioxidants fight damage from free radicals, so they can reduce the effects of the regular damage our skin undergoes everyday.
Treat yourself to regular facials
Even if you can’t afford a spa treatment on a regular basis, you can make your own natural masks from ingredients you have at home. Try making masks with different combinations of yogurt, honey, oatmeal, and a couple drops of lavender essential oil if you choose.
Help your skin heal after damage
Natural oils, salves, and herbal concoctions can help reduce lasting damage after an injury or bad sunburn. A perfect example is aloe vera gel after a burn. Give your skin some additional support so that it won’t have lasting damage, and it will help both your health and your appearance.