Ageing is most easily noticeable on the face because it is the area of the body which is most exposed to the elements particularly the sun and air.  One sign of ageing that immediately visible is the loss of skin elasticity.  It is the face that people focus on so it is important that we take care of it the best we can.

Face ageing is influenced by several factors such as heredity, the way we treat our skin as well as the kind of lifestyle we have.  Sun, wind, sleep, alcohol, and smoking are elements of a certain lifestyle and constantly subjecting our skin to these elements would lead to serious damage.

The sun is not exactly our skin’s bestfriend.  In fact overexposure to the sun is the number cause of premature ageing because sun radiation increases the production of free radicals which create irreversible damage to the skin.  This is the reason why it is very important to always use sunscreen.

Between the age of 20 and 30 the skin begins to become dehydrated thus signs can start to appear at this time.  The barriers that protect the skin diminish and it becomes less elastic.  Exfoliating once a week will help slow down this process because when dead cells on your face are removed, it helps the skin produce new ones.

By the time we reach the age of 30, expression wrinkles will begin to come most especially around the eyes.  This is the time when we need to exert an extra effort in taking care of your skin.

Our sleeping position is another factor that influences face ageing.  According to a study, people who sleep on their stomach will develop wrinkles on their forehead while those who sleep on one side would have more on their chins and cheeks.  Specialists say that sleeping on our back is the best position as it limits the harmful effect of gravity on our face.

Smoking probably creates the worse damage on the skin.  Smokers have dry skin which lacks elasticity and easily acquires wrinkles.  It is not only the nicotine in cigarettes that causes premature ageing but the other components of tobacco as well.  Smoking reduces the collagen level of the skin, dehydrates it and zaps it of its vitality.

Stress is another powerful ageing factor.  Lack of rest and sleep negatively affects the condition of the skin.  If getting enough sleep is a problem, decrease your coffee intake, take a warm bath and read a boring book before you go to bed.  Aside from ruining your skin, insomnia can have severe consequences including death therefore if you are suffering from it, you need to seek medical attention.

Eating a healthy diet will do a lot of good to your skin.  People who eat a lot of junk food are more prone to face ageing as they do not get the nutrients their skin need to keep it clear and glowing.  According to studies by taking vitamins, eating a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables and drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily, you can take good care of your skin.  In addition, avoid drinking alcohol excessively as it will speed up the ageing process and disrupt your sleep patterns causing more wrinkles to develop.

Face ageing is inevitable but living a healthy lifestyle and putting in that extra effort to take care of our skin will help us keep our nice youthful skin just a little bit longer.