Health Articles: Dieting, Hair Loss, Health Insurance, etc.

Our bodies are constantly aging. As a matter of fact, from the second we are born our bodies' collagen and elastin production decreases which essentially means that sooner or later we'll have to deal with wrinkles.

Heredity plays an important role in the formation of wrinkles, but environmental factors and your own bad habits may be adding to genetic predisposition. The good thing is that this means that you can actually do something to prevent face wrinkles. Initially you may have a tough time making a few lifestyle adjustments, but in the end, it is all worth it for younger looking skin.

These External Habits Accelerate Aging

Two habits that are enjoyed by millions but that pose a threat to the aging process are smoking and sunbathing. Both of these activities are to blame for the formation of free radicals which eventually destroy healthy tissue.

Smoking is probably the most damaging habit. Not only does it lead to skin wrinkles that can appear anywhere on your body, but it also helps accentuate eye wrinkles due to the toxins present in cigarette smoke. Even worse is knowing that the facial expressions that smokers make also contribute to the formation of crow's feet.

Sunbathing and exposing your skin to too much sun are also responsible for skin wrinkles as well as for age spots and dry, leathery skin. If you want to reduce the harmful effects of the sun, use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. If you need to stay in the sun for prolonged periods of time, wear protective gear like wide brimmed hats and long sleeved tops.

Another way of accelerating the aging process is by consuming large amounts of alcohol. Consuming alcohol can dry out the tissues in your body and skin because it is considered a dehydrating agent. So, it is important that you moderate your alcohol intake and increase your consumption of pure water.

The Right Wrinkle Cream

By using the right wrinkles cream you can help protect your skin against natural aging and accelerating factors. If you have dry skin, then you should start using an anti aging cream before you hit your 30s.

When looking for products make sure that you find those that contain one or more of the following ingredients: coenzyme Q-10, hyaluronic acid, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), and/or copper peptides.

Coenzyme Q-10 helps promote skin growth and smoothes the skin due to its firming properties. Hyaluronic acid is another ingredient that has been clinically proven to diminish fine lines and wrinkles. As a matter of fact, it has the ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water.

Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) promote exfoliation, stimulate skin repair, increase skin thickness and collagen production. AHAs such as glycolic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, malic acid and citric acid are some of the most commonly found in skin care products. Copper peptides are another key ingredient that can help boost the healing process and increase the production of collagen.