A doctor shares six tips to achieve a healthy glow and avoid 'wrinkles and sagging skin'

A doctor shares six tips to achieve a healthy glow and avoid 'wrinkles and sagging skin'

Exercise has anti-ageing benefits

GB NEWS
Sarra Gray

By Sarra Gray


Published: 21/02/2024

- 05:00

A good routine is key when working towards glowing, youthful skin, according to an expert

A healthy diet, good sleep routine and skin care are all contribute to a glowing complexion.

Dr Dina Keen has shared six steps everyone can follow to achieve their best skin.


Improve sleep quality

The doctor said: "Not getting enough beauty sleep can weaken the skin’s ability to repair and rejuvenate. You should try and aim to get seven to nine hours of sleep each night.

"Without enough sleep, your body may not produce collagen, which keeps your skin looking young and youthful.

"This lack of collagen can lead to signs of ageing like wrinkles and sagging skin.

Woman sleeping in bed

Sleep is good for anti-ageing, an expert stated

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"It can also affect your skin's moisture and pH levels leading to dull and dehydrated skin and possibly causing breakouts.

"A good night’s sleep is a natural way to keep your skin healthy and fight off ageing signs."

Take vitamins

She continued: "To enhance the health and quality of your skin, consider taking a daily regimen of skin-specific vitamins. Biotin and folic acid are crucial vitamins for your skin.

"Biotin prevents dryness, producing fatty acids that nourish and support effective oil gland function. Folic acid maintains your skin's protective barrier, improving moisture retention and reducing dryness.

"You should also include vitamins such as A, C, and D, which benefit the skin by promoting collagen production and skin repair. These essential vitamins are naturally present in nutrient-rich foods, making it convenient to incorporate them into your diet.

"Vitamin A can be found in leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, and broccoli, as well as in carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, cheese, eggs, yoghurts, liver, and fortified low-fat spreads.

"Vitamin C is abundant in citrus fruits such as oranges, strawberries, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, black currants, and peppers.

"Vitamin D is present in red meat, oily fish (salmon, sardines, herring, and mackerel), egg yolks, breakfast cereals and fortified milk."

Use SPF every day

Dr Keen added: "Whether rain or shine, incorporating SPF into your daily beauty routine is essential to shield your skin from harmful sun rays and stave off premature ageing. Apply it every two hours to ensure continuous protection. Neglecting daily SPF use may result in pigmentation, sunburn, and, in severe instances, skin cancer.

"When applying SPF, be thorough in covering your face, neck and décolletage with a generous amount. For those who wear makeup, consider using a spray formula that can be applied over your makeup to achieve maximum protection."

Exercise regularly

The expert said: "Achieving beautiful skin is closely tied to maintaining the right facial posture. To enhance the position of your head, boost blood circulation, and counteract asymmetrical ptosis - a condition leading to droopy eyelids - it is recommended to integrate 15 to 20 minutes of exercise or yoga into your daily routine.

"By prioritising these practices, you can actively address specific concerns related to facial aesthetics and symmetry."

Face masks

She continued: "Face masks are an effective solution to target any skin concern you have. They can help to hydrate the skin, remove excess oils, and help improve the appearance of pores.

Woman putting on face mask in mirror

Face masks can help with various skin concerns

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"Whether you aim to hydrate your skin, eliminate excess oils, or enhance the appearance of pores, incorporating face masks into your skincare routine can be highly beneficial.

"For optimal results, consider using masks containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid or aloe vera, applying them twice a week to promote skin health and radiance."

Incorporate a Gua Sha

The doctor concluded: "Using at-home skincare tools can provide numerous benefits for your skin, such as anti-ageing effects that result in firmer skin, fewer fine lines and wrinkles, reduced puffiness, and improved circulation.

"One such tool, Gua Sha, is a flat, smooth massage tool with origins in China and southeast Asia. It involves gently scraping the skin using Gua Sha stones along with a serum to enhance skin regeneration.

"To incorporate Gua Sha into your skincare routine, engage in a daily facial lymph drainage massage for five to 10 minutes.

"Before using the tool, ensure you cleanse your skin thoroughly, and after each use, wash the tool with warm soapy water to maintain hygiene and prevent any potential skin issues."

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