Skin Care Tips, Notes & More

Aging is inevitable, but there are steps you can take to slow the aging process that are more natural than the use of anti-wrinkle creams, Botox, or even plastic surgery.

For five simple changes you can make to keep yourself young, keep reading.

1. Drink Lots of Water

Water helps keep our bodies hydrated, functioning and clean. It flushes out toxins, increases circulation, improves digestion, revitalizes cell growth and helps us maintain a healthy weight.

Just as our skin needs moisture to stay fresh, our bodies need water to stay young, strong and operating at prime capacity. Ideally, you should be drinking 8 glasses of water a day.

2. Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is a body's time to rejuvenate and repair itself. You know that after a night with little sleep, you have circles under your eyes, your skin looks shallow, you don't feel well and your eyes are bloodshot. Anything that can age you so quickly in a few hours can't be good in the long-term.

So, getting enough sleep every night is one of your best weapons against the aging process. Shoot for at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night and avoid drinking caffeine less than 5 hours before bedtime.

3. Eat a Well Balanced Diet

Eating a healthy diet can keep your digestive system working properly and your body well-fueled to fight off disease and aging-causing free radicals. Stock up on foods like pomegranates, blueberries, dark green vegetables, beans and legumes.

Also, foods that are high in Vitamins A and C, like citrus fruits, are great for your skin and can help boost the production of collagen, the fiber that keeps your skin smooth and soft.

4. Cut Down On Stress

Stress is a major factor in the aging process and can lead to prematurely grey hair, a depleted immune system, facial expression wrinkles and even poor skin tone. So to slow down aging, reduce your stress level by cutting back o your work hours, avoiding rush hour traffic, limiting your responsibilities, delegating tasks and taking at least ten minutes out of every day for meditation and reflection.

5. Stay on Top of Mental Exercise

Slowing down the aging process isn't just about fighting wrinkles, but it's also about maintaining a young and healthy mind.

Research has shown that individuals who did daily puzzles and mental exercises were 30 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease later in life. So, stay young with a daily book or crossword puzzle.

Aging itself is inevitable. But the appearance and effects of aging can be reduced with proper care of your body and skin.

Short of undergoing more invasive procedures such as Botox or plastic surgery, there a variety of great and more simple anti-aging skin care products available on the market. And while they won't produce dramatic surgical results, they can help to give your skin a healthy, youthful looking appearance.

Unfortunately, many cosmetic companies seek to cash in on the promise of youth and charge exorbitant prices for their products.

For a breakdown of some popular products that are both effective and affordable, keep reading.

Burt's Bees Natural Ageless Products

Burt's Bees has a whole beauty line dedicated to anti-aging products. Their honey-derived products are all natural and chock full of anti-aging antioxidants.

The Burt's Bees Natural Ageless line of products includes the Naturally Ageless Day Lotion, the Naturally Ageless Night Lotion, the Naturally Ageless Eye Cream and the Naturally Ageless Serum.

These products include the ingredients pomegranate, (antioxidant) to protect the skin from free radical damage, and borage and evening primrose rose oils for their moisturizing effect.

Dove's Pro Age Line

Dove has an excellent line of products called Pro Age to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while simultaneously moisturizing your precious skin and protecting it from sun damage.

The Dove Pro Age line of products includes the Pro Age Eye Treatment, Rich Night Cream, Day Moisturizer, Pro Age Hand Cream, Pro Age Beauty Body Lotion, and the Foaming Facial Cleanser.

These products have a combination of AHA solution to regenerate new cells and eliminate dead skin cells, glycerin to hydrate, olive oil for nutrients and SPF 5 through 8 to protect from the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays.

Oil of Olay Regenerist Products

Oil of Olay also has an advanced line of anti-aging products that are helpful to the skin. These products include the Daily Regenerating Serum, the Derma Pod Eye Anti-Aging Triple Response System, the Daily Regenerating Serum Fragrance Free and the Anti-Aging Lip Treatment.

Each of the referenced products help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles with the use of amino peptides, vitamin E and glycerin. They can also be used with Olay's other anti-aging product lines, such as Olay Total Effects and Olay Definity.

Remember, there is no miracle cure for the aging process - especially not one you can find in a bottle for $19.99. However, with disciplined, daily use, these anti-wrinkle products can improve the appearance of your skin, reduce fine lines and give your skin a healthy, youthful glow. You won't erase wrinkles, but they can make a noticeable difference that you and others will appreciate.