HEALTHY LIVING

Nowadays, men are as concerned about maintaining their youthfulness and clear skin as women. It is already commonplace to see straight men putting on sunscreen, lip gloss, and even a concealer in public places. In fact, there has been a sharp rise in the number of skin care products and anti-aging creams specifically designed for men.

If you are one of those men who want to know how to make the skin look younger and wrinkle-free but are afraid of going to the mall to ask what products to use, read on and find out more about anti-aging and skin care tips for men:

Quit Smoking

Quite a number of studies have shown that smoking can make you age faster and look older. Enzymes released while smoking wears down elastin and collagen, which are main components of the skin. Furthermore, ditching your regular nicotine fix is not only good for your skin, but for your general health as well.

Keep Away From The Sun

Although man is gifted with thicker and less-prone-to-aging skin, the sun's rays, especially from 10AM to 3PM, can still damage your skin and speed up development of wrinkles and other skin blemishes. Thus, it is still best for you to not expose yourself outdoors during this time. However, if you must, then it is wise to wear a sun screen. Just chose a sun screen that has a high SPF, probably 60 or more. You can also buy sun screen that is specifically designed for men so you can be sure that it is not greasy and thick.

Get Adequate ZZZs

If you have watched the movie Machinist starring Christian Bale, you will get a picture of what you will look like if you do not have adequate sleep. Aside from the dark circles around your eyes, your skin will sag.

According to experts, sleep deprivation releases extra cortisol, which is a type of hormone that is responsible for breaking down your skin cells. On the other hand, if you have enough sleep, you will be producing an excess of human growth hormone, which is crucial in maintaining skin's elasticity and thickness.

Be Gentle With Your Face

Men have a tendency to scrub their face just as the way they are scouring a dirty pan. You have to realize that your face is very delicate so you have to treat it with care and gentleness. If you continue to mistreat your face, you will be having sagging skin and wrinkles. But if you don't want to look 10 years older, you should try to be a little gentler on your skin.

When washing your face, use a facial wash that is appropriate for your skin type. If you have regular acne breakouts and your face is almost always shiny and greasy, then use a facial wash that is for oily skin. It is more common for men to have oily skin. Meanwhile, if your skin is flaky, then you may have dry skin. If your skin is neither flaky nor oily, then you are blessed with normal skin.

Load On Fruits And Vegetables

Vegetables and fruits are high on antioxidants that are known to be effective in cell regeneration and cell growth. Furthermore, antioxidants are also effective in combating damages caused by sun exposure and free radicals.

Drink Lots Of Water

Studies have shown that water helps moisturize the skin from within. People who do not meet their water needs for the day usually have dry skin.

Use A Good Anti-Aging Cream

If you don't want to look two decades older than your wife even if you are just about the same age, you better use a good anti-aging cream. Look for natural ingredients and extracts, such as chamomile, olive leaf, and sunflower oil extracts. These ingredients have been proven to help moisturize your skin.