8 DIY Wrinkle Tips – The Simple Things You Can Do at Home to Reduce Wrinkles.

1. Be Gentle with your Skin.
This may seem overly simplistic but harsh washing and scrubbing may do more damage to the skin than anything else. Especially in the cool winter months we may be tempted to use hot water on the skin; however this will strip the skin of its natural barrier oils. Also choose a creamy cleanser instead of soap to wash with as this is again the gentler option. All these measures ensure your skin isn’t stripped dry but retain their natural moisture barrier that protect against wrinkles.

2. Allow Gravity to be your Friend.
Believe it or not, how you sleep can affect how many wrinkles you have. Certain positions ‘crinkle’ the face leading to deep lines that over time will become permanent. Sleeping on your side can intensify wrinkles on your cheeks and chin. Sleeping face down can enhance a furrowed brow. So to reduce wrinkle causing positions, sleep on your back. Not only does this not crease the face but you’re allowing gravity to smooth the skin out naturally.

3. Don’t Forget your Shades
Yes, even in winter you will need your sunnies. Sun and glare cause you to squint which in turn leads to wrinkles by forming grooves beneath the skin. This goes for ladies squinting when trying to read. Consider this a good time to get your eyes tested and get reading glasses if so needed.

Sunglasses also protect the delicate eye area from sun damage which again leads to a breakdown of collagen in the skin and wrinkles. So when considering buying new sunglasses think about the sun protection factor too.

4. Familiarise yourself with Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids. (AHA’s, BHA’s)
Both these natural fruit acids are used to exfoliate the skin therefore reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The main difference between the two is alpha hydroxy acids are water soluble only, while beta hydroxy acid is oil soluble. This mains that beta hydroxy acid is great for oily, acne prone skin with blackheads, while alpha hydroxy acids are better on thinner, drier, sun damaged skin.

Concentration of AHA determines how you use this ingredient. Over the counter cosmetics have less than 10%. Trained beauty therapists can use 20-30% and doctors can use concentrations up to 70%.

5. Increase your Anti-oxidants
This is both in your diet and your skincare. Not only will this help protect you against free radical damage but studies have shown that L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) in skincare may help increase collagen production in the skin (which can reduce wrinkles). It can also protect against sun damage, correct pigmentation problems, and improve inflammatory skin conditions.

6. Say Hello to Sushi
OK, you don’t have to eat it raw but you do have to eat more oily fish. By oil I mean omega-3 which is an essential fatty acid. It is found in cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna, and herring. Also in flaxseeds, canola oil, soybeans, pumpkin seeds and walnut. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids include sea life such as krill and algae. By including these in your diet not only will you aid your health but also your skin because it helps to nourish the skin and keep it plump and youthful, helping to reduce wrinkles.

7. Include Soy in your Diet.
Soy is a natural selective estrogen receptor modulator (or phytoestrogen). In clinical studies they have shown that estrogen helps to preserve the skin’s collagen content and its elastic properties, while aiding the maintenance of skin thickness. Studies also show that Soy improves skin hydration, smoothness and firmness.

8. Swap your Coffee for Green Tea.
Green tea is much higher in anti-oxidants than coffee. Considering its well documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, topical green tea is likely to slow down the development of some signs of aging. Opinions vary as to how much tea should be consumed for optimal health. Most experts suggest drinking from three to ten cups per day. However any extra amount is beneficial in helping to neutralise free radicals to counteract the effects of pollution, sunlight and cigarette smoke.