These days there are all kinds of procedures to help you to stay young, however prevention is always better than cure. While those of us who are lucky enough to grow old will always show signs of ageing eventually, there are lots of ways we can prevent these changes and hold them off for as long as possible. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of botox or a nip/ tuck to make you feel younger and more confident if that’s the route you want to go down, however if you want to push back the time it takes to need any of that then look after your skin in the here and now. Do the following things, and you can hold onto your youthful good looks for as long as possible.

Eat Well and Stay Hydrated

Two ways to look after your body in general, which will also have positive effects on your skin is eating well and staying hydrated. To really look after our skin we can’t just focus on the outside, we have to nourish from the inside out. If your new year’s resolution was to live more healthily and eat better but you’ve fallen off the wagon, then hop back on. Not only will you slim down (or gain weight/ maintain- whatever your goal was) but your skin will thank you for it too. Lots of types of fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants which prevent damage from free radicals in the body. Free radicals can be responsible for cellular damage, and so nature has its own way of protecting you. If you struggle getting in your five a day, try drinking a smoothie for breakfast, putting fruit on your porridge, snacking on dried fruit and even adding tinned fruit to your dessert. Chopped veggies dipped into hummus, or adding a side salad to lunch and dinner can all boost your intake. Don’t forget things like baked beans, a glass of juice, popcorn and guacamole all count too. While you should focus on fresh foods, these are great ways to bump up that nutritional intake and reach your five a day if you’re struggling.

Stop Smoking/ Drugs/ Excessive Alcohol

We all know how damaging these things are to our body in general, but one place you will really see this damage is in your skin. After all, it’s a reflection of what’s going on inside the body. Because smoking literally starves the skin of oxygen, it takes on a dull appearance and makes it more susceptible to damage and aging. This study shows identical twins, one of which is a smoker and the other which is an non smoker (or ex smoker). The differences are shocking, and it goes to show just how much damage the habit causes to your skin. Alcohol and other drugs have been shown to accelerate the ageing process. A lot of this is due to the fact that alcohol dehydrates you, but also because you sleep less when you’re drinking and you’re also less likely to be taking care of your skin. Plus, with alcohol and drugs being toxins, they damage the body, including the skin on a cellular level. As if you needed another reason to address your unhealthy vices!

Stick to a Good Skincare Regime

One of the best things you can do for your skin on a daily basis is to treat it with the right products. A gentle face wash followed up with a moisturiser, eye cream, lip balm and a facial oil or serum will protect it from damage as well as keep it hydrated. It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, there are lots of great products in the drugstore if you don’t have the money or inclination to fork out on high end brands. It’s consistency that’s key, moisturising your face with a highstreet product every day for example is far better than sporadically using an expensive one. Get into the habit of removing any makeup, dirt and oils before bed and then gently applying the products of your choice.

Pamper Your Skin Regularly

As well as maintaining a good skincare routine and using the right products on your face every day, every week or so it’s worth pampering your skin too. This could mean putting on a face mask and a cooling eye mask. You could use a product like this LED mask by Aduro which can help to reduce acne and also prevent the signs of aging. You could even book yourself into a spa for a treatment like a facial or microdermabrasion. This is non- surgical, it’s an exfoliating treatment designed to remove dead skin leaving your face much fresher and smoother. Without your face being clogged up with dead skin cells, your anti ageing products will work more effectively too.

Speak to a Dermatologist

If you have ongoing skin issues, don’t suffer alone with them. Acne, eczema, rosacea and other skin disorders are common, and your GP or dermatologist will be able to recommend the right treatments for them. In the case of acne for example, a combination of topical products and hormone treatments is effective in most people. Don’t just hope it will clear up by itself, a professional will be able to to give you proper advice.

Our skin is really the first thing people see when they look at us, and so it makes sense that we want it to look clear and healthy. While makeup can cover blemishes to an extent, bad skin can be difficult to hide and have a big impact on your self esteem. Work on taking care of your body and good skin health will follow. Apply the right products, and speak to a professional about any ongoing issues. Not only will you prevent ageing for as long as possible, but you’ll feel great in yourself too which is no bad thing.

What steps do you take to ensure that you maintain healthy skin, and to prevent premature ageing?