08 Aug Stop The Clock! The 411 on Men’s Anti-Aging Skincare
When we as men talk about our skin, we don’t tend to use words like “glowing”, “consistently pigmented”, “unlined” or “firm”—but really, these adjectives describe what good, healthy skin looks and feels like.
Anti-aging skincare regimens used to only be prescribed to men in their late 40’s and older, but today, more men in there 30’s have been showing signs of aging in their faces. This has less to do with how often we wash and put creams on our skin, and more to do with the abuse we subject our bodies to, which in turn, is showing up in our faces. From stress at work, to getting no sleep, to binge drinking and smoking, to lying in the sun with no sunscreen, this wear and tear is exhausting our bodies, which then leads to tired skin. Don’t believe me? Look through some of your photos from even just two years ago; then, go look in the mirror, smile, and take a gander at the fine lines and dark under eye circle that have befallen on your handsome mug.
It’s natural for your skin to lose some of its structure and firmness as time passes (this can begin in your 20’s, and some of it’s genetic), but wouldn’t you rather slow this process down? You may not be able to reverse all damage done to your skin, but it’s never to late (or too early) to start taking steps of prevention and maintenance—it can really make a difference in terms of the quality of your aging process.
Since I am obsessed with the concept of skincare, I’ve compiled a few simple tips and steps you can take to help you quite literally save face and pump the breaks on the aging process.
Sun – Whether you’re outside for five minutes, driving in your car, playing golf or lounging by the pool, the sun’s ultra violet rays are asserting damage on your skin by way of wrinkles, increased sagging, discoloration and hyperpigmentation. We all need some Vitamin D and sunshine in our lives (plus, getting a little bronzed is a nice confidence boost), but it is of utmost importance to get into the habit of wearing sunscreen everywhere. If you don’t like the idea of slathering Coppertone onto your face, you can purchase a booster that can be mixed with your moisturizer or after-shave. I never expose my face to the sun and like to take preventative measures one step further and also rock my favorite baseball cap whenever I’m outside. Additionally, if you are one of those guys who fake bakes in the tanning bed in attempt to further accentuate your muscles, for the love of God, stop it—you’re not only destroying the elasticity and structure of your skin, but you look like an orange oompa loompa.
Food & Nutrition – A well-balanced healthy diet makes a huge difference in the appearance of your skin—one filled with fresh fruits and veggies, non-processed foods, healthy fats and omega-3s, whole grains, and of course, lots of water. I am sure we all have that friend who is on a first name basis with the employee at the Drive Thru window at Taco Bell (maybe you?). Look at his complexion—chances are, his skin is not firm, supple and blemish-free, nor does it boast a healthy glow.
Smoking & Drinking – Smoking, caffeine and alcohol really do a number on your complexion and overall genetic make up. For starters, if you know any smokers, look around their lips and notice how the free radicals have caused tons of fine lines to form (not to mention terrible breath.) If you fancy a Jack & Coke or four, just know that boozing it up does more than fool you into thinking you’re a good dancer—it dehydrates the skin, causing it to look tired and less plump.
Exercise – My father has always preached the importance of exercising each and everyday. Sweating invigorates your metabolism and helps rid your body of toxins—all of this helps increase your lymphatic drainage, which in simpler terms, means it helps your body get rid of waste more effectively. As a result, your skin will be much cleaner and have a very healthy glow.
Vitamins – When someone tells you to “take your vitamins”, it’s a very confusing and vague demand. Not to mention, visiting the vitamin section of your grocery store is like trying to find that one piece in a ten thousand-piece puzzle. As an entity, vitamins work by hunting for by products in your body while encouraging healthy cell growth. When it comes to your skin’s well being, make sure you’re supplementing with Vitamins A, B, C, E, and Zinc.