10 WAYS TO HAVE BEAUTIFUL SKIN

Lisa Soberano's Photo

While it is true that the aging process cannot be stopped, there are still many things we can do to delay and slow down aging. So no matter what age you are, let us learn how to have beautiful and healthy-looking skin.

1. Avoid the sun -- Sunlight is the primary cause of wrinkles and aging. Thus, we should avoid the sun from 10 AM to 3 PM. Use a sunscreen daily that has at least an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30. It may seem that young people are immune to the deadly rays of the sun. However, be aware that the wrinkles and age spots will come out 15 to 20 years after sun exposure. Therefore, wear a hat, bring an umbrella, and avoid the sun.

2. Stop smoking and avoid alcohol -- Studies show that cigarette smoking can double the fine lines on your face. Smoking also decreases your cell's oxygen content and slows down the skin's ability to repair itself. Constant puffing will cause wrinkles to form around the mouth area. Similarly, alcohol can damage your blood vessels and dehydrate the skin. Heavy drinking can result in puffy and wrinkled skin, giving your skin a dull and lifeless look.

3. Be weather-conscious -- Skin can be damaged by very hot or very cold weather. Strong wind, dust and pollution cause wrinkles to form in your face. By all means, avoid riding a motorcycle because the wind, sun and dust will damage your beautiful skin.

4. Get enough sleep -- Sleeping and resting are the easiest way to boost your energies. At night, try to go for 8 hours of sleep. This will help your body regenerate and give you a vibrant-looking skin.

5. Limit stress -- Stress and too much work are factors that hasten the aging process. If you're a workaholic, it is possible that your calendar age is 40 years old, but you already have the arteries of a 55-year-old man. Conditions like diabetes and heart disease can age you faster than normal.

6. Clean your face -- After a long day, you should clean your skin thoroughly. My wife, Dr. Liza Ong, uses cotton balls dabbed in an alcohol-based astringent to clean her face. Cleaning the face will remove dirt, excess oil, make-up and dead skin cells.

7. Moisturize your skin -- After cleaning your face, you can use a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. Moisturizer is especially helpful if you have dry, flaky skin. The cheeks and neck areas are the usual dry areas, while the eyebrows and nose area are the usual oily areas.

8. Be gentle -- When touching your face, like washing or applying creams and make-up, be sure to use gentle strokes. The skin around the eyes is particularly thin and prone to wrinkles. Use light, upward strokes, rather than dragging your skin downwards. As we age, the loss of skin elasticity and the pull of gravity cause our skin to sag.

9. Use clever make-up -- Choose make-up products containing UV filters and skin-nourishing ingredients. Use the latest light-reflecting kinds of foundations, concealers and powders. These products bounce off light and make your skin look younger and smoother.

10. Eat wisely -- Eat lots of colorful fruits, vegetables and salads. Choose high-fiber foods. Foods with vitamins A, C, and E are beneficial for the skin. Vitamin A, found in carrots and spinach, repairs skin tissues. Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits like orange and lemon, is used for collagen production and keeps the skin firm. Moreover, drink 8 to 10 glasses of water to keep your skin hydrated and firm.

Finally, it's wise to consult your dermatologist for your skin concerns. Good luck.

written by: Dr. Willie Ong