It's an age-old dilemma – battling the onset of age! Wrinkles seem to creep up on us. One moment we're fresh-faced, carrying on as if we don't have a care in the world. Then we catch a photo of ourselves that someone has posted on Facebook and our eyes are instantly drawn to those terrible lines that seem to have appeared in our features overnight.
When Hollywood starlets take a long hard look at themselves in the mirror, if they don't like what they see they'll consider tackling those encroaching wrinkles by paying a visit to their local cosmetic surgeon. But you can rest assured that there are many different methods of easing wrinkles that avoid such drastic measures. And here are our top five:
1. Eating fish
Fish is a terrific source of protein, especially cold-water species such as salmon. Protein is one of the basic building-blocks of skin, and as well as this it's a great source of one particular key ingredient for healthy skin – a fatty acid called omega-3. This will help to nourish you skin and keep it looking plump and youthful.
2. Cutting down on coffee
Coffee is a refreshing beverage that is now available in a bewildering variety of flavours. While many of us rely on coffee to provide a little kick-start to our day, where your wrinkles are concerned it would be far more advisable to switch to cocoa. Researchers have discovered that cocoa has high levels of epicatchin and catchin, two dietary flavanols that not only improve circulation to skin cells, they protect your body from sun damage. Circulation is also enhanced with these substances, making your skin feel smoother.
3. Eating vegetables and fruit
Fuit and vegetables boast one crucial component when it comes to countering skin wear and tear – antioxidant compounds. They assist the skin in staying health-looking by countering the damage that is caused by cell-damaging 'free radicals' (unstable molecules).
4. Avoiding excessive washing
While face-washing might seem an obvious choice for keeping your skin refreshed, dermatologists have proved that water actually strips your skin of natural barrier oils – the very ingredients in your natural chemistry that protect against the onset of wrinkles. Use cleansers instead.
5. Moisturising
Moisturiser creams that can be easily purchased over the counter are a simple weapon in your anti-wrinkling arsenal. By applying these treatments on a daily basis you'll keep your skin moist-looking. Creases and wrinkles will be far less noticeable.
