George Orwell famously wrote that by age 50, everyone gets the face they deserve. If you think fine lines and crow’s feet are too steep a price to pay, there are solutions. Reducing wrinkles is about modifying your routine. With just a few easy steps, you’ll get visible results. Remember that if your parents developed wrinkles at a young age, it doesn’t mean you will. Genetics aren’t as much of a factor as you might think. Some of the best ways to get rid of wrinkles can actually overcome any genetic predisposition.
Always Wear Sunscreen
Baz Luhrmann was right. Sunscreen is vital. Get used to putting on a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 every day before you leave the house. Make it routine––even on days that are overcast. Carry a trial size with you; reapply before heading home. Avoid spending long periods of time outdoors between noon and 3 p.m. If you do, apply an SPF over 50. Studies show that regular use of sunscreen can slow the appearance of aging and is one of the best steps toward reducing wrinkles.
Turn that Frown Upside Down
The way we use our face goes a long way toward determining whether or not it resembles a map of the Mississippi River or maybe the London tube. Those small muscle contractions that produce frown lines between your brows and crow’s feet around the corner of your eyes are because of smiling, frowning, and squinting. Reducing two out of three is a great step.
Frequent frowning is often the result of untreated anxiety. While being anxious may be a reasonable response to current events, there are self-care options. Try a brief morning meditation. Incorporate breathing exercises throughout the day. Squinting can indicate eyesight issues – if you are regularly tightening your eyes to read something, set up an appointment with a vision specialist. Reducing gravity would easily be the best way to reduce wrinkles. Unfortunately, no one has figured out a way to do this safely and consistently for those of us stuck on Planet Earth.
Cure in a Cream
Many products that promise to eliminate fine lines and reduce wrinkles are overpriced and underperforming. Retinol is different. This vitamin A derivative’s results have been indicated in several studies. It can also dry out your skin, so start small with a lower percentage of retinol contained in the cream. The good news is the lowest doses of retinol are available over the counter. Stronger formulas require a prescription.
There are other creams and treatments that can also reduce the effects of aging skin––which is linked to reduced production of collagen. These contain vitamin C or E (using them in combination may improve results.) Although our bodies mainly produce Vitamin D when our skin comes into contact with sunlight, some studies suggest that topical creams containing the vitamin can also reduce the signs of aging.
Moisturize
Dry skin can become wrinkled skin. Get in the habit of applying moisturizer after your bath or shower after towel drying. Although pricier formulas can run hundreds of dollars, effective lotions can be had for under $10. Consistency is key. Moisturizers aren’t the best way to get rid of wrinkles permanently––that requires a trip to a plastic surgeon or dermatologist. Still, some lotions can visibly reduce wrinkles. Studies suggest at the very least moisturizers do exactly what they claim to do––which is more than can be said of many pricier skin care creams.
Hydrate and Eat Right
Think of water as an internal moisturizer. The best way to keep your skin supple and youthful is to drink plenty of water. Although the eight-glasses-a-day rule is part myth, if you are thirsty you are probably already dehydrated. Besides drinking water, eating healthy is an important component. One 2018 study of nearly 3,000 senior Dutch women demonstrated a link between diet and facial lines. Some of the best foods for reducing wrinkles include avocados, bell peppers, broccoli, and green tea.
Sleep more; smoke and drink less
Cigarettes affect our face in several ways, from the chemicals wafting over our skin to the puckering of our lips. Even just 10 years of smoking can radically alter our face’s appearance––proven by one study where nonsmoking twins had fewer lines than their otherwise identical smoking sibling. Quitting smoking is a great way to reduce facial damage. Even cutting back will help. Excessive alcohol consumption can have a similar effect. Moderation is key. Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the best ways to get rid of wrinkles––as your mirror will attest the next morning. Although the other habits won’t produce results overnight, simple routines can go a long way toward reducing wrinkles.
Written by John Bankston
References
- Regular sunscreen use retards skin aging in healthy, middle-aged men and women
- Skin anti-aging strategies
- Unravelling of hidden secrets: The role of vitamin D in skin aging
- Evidence-Based corneotherapy
- A healthy diet in women is associated with less facial wrinkles in a large Dutch population-based cohort
- Facial changes caused by smoking: a comparison between smoking and nonsmoking identical twins
