Aging Gracefully: 15 Tips for Maintaining Healthy, Youthful, & Radiant Skin
Nourishing and caring for your skin at any age is extremely important. Although, as we get older it may require a bit more work than when we were younger. Not to worry though, aging gracefully is something we can all do if we take proper care of our skin by focusing on what we put on, in, and around our bodies. In this week's blog, Jane shares how to properly care for mature skin, keeping it looking as healthy and radiant as ever!
Jane’s Guide to Aging Gracefully
1. Take care of your gut health
Did you know that your skin is a window into your gut? There is a strong connection between acne, pigmentation, premature aging, wrinkles, and the health of your gut. When your gut is happy, your skin is happy. Fermented foods and/or a high-quality probiotic can be helpful because it aids your body in digesting and absorbing good food. Fermented food helps the good bacteria in the intestines to grow. When you have an acceptable amount of good bacteria in your gut, you’re able to digest food easier and have a stronger immune system. When your immune system is strong, it provides B vitamins, omega-3, digestive enzymes, lactase and lactic acid, and other immune chemicals that fight off bad bacteria.
Quick tips:
To prevent premature aging: Incorporate lots of orange-red vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, red peppers, and pumpkin into your diet. They're rich in beta-carotene which your body converts to vitamin A.
To tighten and heal your skin: Eat foods that are high in Vitamin C. This includes citrus fruits, papaya, kiwi, strawberries, red bell pepper, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.
Avoid excess sugars: Studies have shown that eating too much sugar can accelerate aging. Excessive amounts of sugar break down collagen and elastin fibers which accelerate the formation of lines and wrinkles. Sometimes the sweets just aren’t worth the impact they have on your skin.
2. Make sure you’re using the right cleanser
It is so important to maintain the integrity of the surface of your skin, especially as we get older. For mature skin, it is best to use a gentle milk cleanser which is why I created Deep Cleanser No. 2. This cleanser is a lightweight formula that is phenomenal cleansing for normal to dry mature skin. It is full of skin-loving antioxidants that work to reduce the appearance of fine lines. Your skin will not only feel clean but will also be left soft and supple to the touch.
3. Use a daily serum
Incorporating our Elixir Corrective Serum into your routine is truly a game changer. It is the go-to product if you want bright, healthy skin. It works wonders with helping to reduce the appearance of sun damage, as well as smooth fine lines and wrinkles. With the Elixir you can easily achieve a radiant, youthful glow.
4. Moisturize
Moisturizing your skin is a crucial part in maintaining its health. I formulated our best-selling (and my personal favorite) Vitamin Creme with the intention of creating a light and refreshing moisturizer that was incredibly nourishing for mature skin. I also made sure that it was full of vitamins and minerals that treat the visible signs of aging and invoke a youthful glow.
5. Avoid caffeine and alcohol
I strongly encourage you to eliminate caffeine and alcohol as much as you can from your diet. Both are very dehydrating, so be mindful of your consumption of these drinks. If you’re someone who likes to drink something other than just water, I suggest drinking green tea. Green tea supports healthy, hydrated skin due to its antioxidant content, which makes it a great alternative to other caffeinated beverages.
6. Be sure to get enough sleep
You need to prioritize sleep. Daily recommended sleep ranges from 7-10 hours per night. Adequate sleep is so important for our health as it helps produce growth hormones that regenerate cell renewal for healthy hair, skin, and muscles.
7. Nourish your under eyes
Dark circles can be frustrating. As you age your skin becomes thinner, and as a result of that, blood vessels can appear giving the eye area a soft bruised look. When our clients ask how to reduce eye puffiness and dark circles, I always recommend our Eye Oil. This gentle oil was specifically formulated using a blend of botanical oils to protect, nourish, and rejuvenate the skin. One of its key ingredients, Helichrysum, is known to reduce the appearance of fine lines and puffiness.
8. Keep your body moving
Did you know that daily workouts contribute to the health of your skin? Regular physical activity helps the body to improve blood circulation. This improved circulation can help bring oxygen and nutrients to your glowing skin, so try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day.
9. Limit your time in the sun
Soaking up the sun is essential for your health and well-being. You shouldn’t be afraid of it, but you should be conscious about how much time you're spending in the sun and how you’re protecting your skin. The sun becomes dangerous to your skin only if you allow yourself to be exposed to excessive amounts of UV rays. Be aware of when your skin has had enough and wear a natural mineral sunscreen when needed.
10. Keep up with your skin fitness
Think of prioritizing taking good care of your skin in the same way you’d focus on exercising your body. Regular skincare treatments are pivotal in achieving healthy skin. I recommend visiting one of our skin therapists for regular treatments. At janegee, our team focuses on truly fixing the underlying issues, rather than giving you quick, temporary fixes. Working with a skin therapist can help you understand what is causing your skin conditions and adjust your routines as needed throughout your skin journey. You can book a discovery consultation with one of our knowledgeable skin therapists here.
11. Do not exfoliate
So many brands market exfoliating scrubs and products as a way to make the skin appear flawless and youthful. However, mechanically exfoliating is actually one of the worst things you can do to your skin. When you exfoliate your skin, you are undermining all of your skincare efforts.
Pro-tip: ditch exfoliation, detox instead.
12. Detox your skin once a week with a natural clay mask
It's been proven that over-exposure to pollution can speed up the aging process of your precious skin. According to the World Health Organization, pollution particles can create hyperpigmentation in the skin, wrinkle formation, and inflammation/skin irritation. Pollution particles are finer than our pores, so we are being bombarded every day. However, we can defend and protect our skin against these unwanted chemicals. To do so, I recommend detoxing your skin using one of our janegee Clay Masks once per week. I love these natural, mineral-rich clays because they become electrically charged when you add water to them. By doing that the positive and negative ions attract each other. Then, the clay will draw up any heavy metals, dirt, and debris from the skin and wash them away. Your skin will feel noticeably more clean, healthy, and refreshed once you start incorporating these masks into your weekly routine.
13. Practice dry body brushing
Let’s not forget that skincare goes beyond the jawline. Dry brushing is an incredible way to detox the rest of the skin on your body. This practice helps stimulate the lymphatic system, release toxins, and bring your complexion back to its healthiest state. It also helps promote cell renewal, increase blood flow, and achieve tighter, smoother skin. It is truly one of the easiest and most effective things you can do for promoting youthful, healthy skin.
14. Use a body oil
After you shower or take a bath, it is important to make sure you are hydrating not just your face, but also your entire body. One of our favorite ways to do so is by applying a few pumps of our rich, luxurious body oils to the skin. Trust us when we say that your skin will feel the softest and most hydrated it's ever been.
15. Make the switch to natural makeup
You already have your clean skincare routine down, so why not switch over your makeup routine as well? Natural makeup is better for both your skin and the environment. By using natural makeup you’ll also be exposed to less harsh chemicals and lower your chance of getting irritations or allergies from makeup. RMS and Lily Lolo are two of my favorite natural makeup brands and you can find their products at our flagship store in downtown Portsmouth, NH.
Now that you have this guide to aging gracefully, I hope you feel empowered. Aging isn’t something to be scared of, it is something we should embrace!
Let’s Become Better Together!