Top Anti-Ageing Tips: The Evening Edition

Tue, 3 April 2012 10:17AM

Anti-ageing advice usually focuses on what to do (or not to do) during the day, in order to protect skin against environmental nasties, like UV rays and pollution. And yes, of course, sunscreen and antioxidants are essential additions to any serious anti-ageing skincare routine. Along with as much sun avoidance as possible. But did you know: a lot can be done at night-time, too. Waking up looking a little younger than the day before? Sounds pretty dreamy to us! So, read on to become the ultimate boudoir beauty …

1. Take your makeup off as soon as you get home, instead of waiting until the last, tired minute. It’s not only a great way to psychologically wash off the day, but earlier on in the evening you still have the energy to thoroughly go through your skincare routine. Oh, and it also means you’ll wear your night cream for longer – a great thing, considering that our skin goes into regenerative mode at night, and that night treatments are formulated to make the most of this. Try Dr LeWinn’s Advanced Night Cream, $64.95, see Dr LeWinn’s for stockists.

2. Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase. This gives great slip, so that your skin won’t crease up, and you’ll prevent lines – aka sleep wrinkles – from forming over a succession of nights.

3. Eat brightly coloured salad or soup or salad for dinner. It’s not only a great way to get your antioxidant fix (and the more colours you have, the more varied your antioxidant array), but these foods are high in water content, which will add to your daily H2O quote, helping to plump up the skin from the inside.

4. Resist the temptation to eat a sugary dessert. When there’s too much sugar in the system, it binds with proteins to create AGEs (advanced glycation end products). The result: the collagen and elastin network stops functioning as effectively. In other words: hello, wrinkles.

5. Don’t sleep under a doona. You’ll risk over-heating the body, which – among other things – dries out the skin. And, as you may well know, when skin is dry or dehydrated, lines and wrinkles look a lot deeper. A humidifier in the bedroom can also help maintain the skin’s moisture levels.

6. Get between six and eight hours’ sleep. Research has shown that subjects who have slept well are considered to be more healthy and attractive than those who have experienced a sleep-deprived night. Which actually makes sense – after all, we all know how our skin can appear pasty and our under-eyes scarily dark after a snooze-challenged night. If you’re having trouble falling asleep – or getting back to sleep throughout the night – stress might be a factor. Consider adding some mind-calming yoga into your exercise routine. Also, avoid alcohol at night, and stop drinking caffeine early in the day – both can have stimulatory effect on the system that hinders quality sleep.

Posted by: Katrina Lawrence

Google Profile

Comments (16) Print Send to friend Share

Tags: anti-ageing, antiaging, antioxidants, beauty sleep, dehydrated skin, dr lewinn's, dry skin, glycation, makeup remover, night cream