Aging gracefully

I ADMIRE women who manage to look younger than they really are. At the same time, I look at girls my age who look older than their years.

When women get older, some opt for things like Botox and other procedures. That’s entirely up to you, but I can’t speak about that yet since the most “advanced” procedure that I’ve tried is a facial, which I mentioned in a previous column I’ve had done only twice in my life. I’m not into the whole “stop the aging process” because stopping time seems to be a pretty tall claim. I think it’s better to just try to age as gracefully as possible. No product can stop aging, but there are things we can do to prevent premature aging.

u2022 Have a good skincare routine. Start caring for skin from head to toe, and reap the benefits as you get older. Cleanse, tone and moisturize according to your age and skin type. My mom taught me to start with skin care since high school. Starting early has made good skin care a part of my daily habits until today. Start with gentle products that won’t be too harsh on young skin.

u2022 As we get older, skin doesn’t produce as much collagen, which keeps it plump. Look for products that are more moisturizing as you get older.

u2022 Don’t forget eye cream, and definitely start using anti-aging creams and lotions once you hit 25. Adjust products according to your needs as you age. Something that works at age 20 may no longer be as effective at 40.

u2022 Be kind to your hair. Too much heat styling, dyeing and processing will definitely make it look dead instead of soft and shiny.

u2022 The skin on our hands is fairly thin, and can indicate age if not well cared for.

Prevent crepey skin by moisturizing nails and hands, especially at night. If you drive around a lot during the day, apply sunscreen to your hands and arms.

u2022 Wear sunscreen in general. Any sign of tanning might look sexy, but it is an indication that skin has been damaged. Reapply if you are out in the sun for an extended period of time, are sweaty or in the water.

u2022 The neck is also an indicator of age. Some women might care for the face but completely neglect the neck, which does start to sag over time. Apply facial cream to your neck in upward strokes.

u2022 Most of the women I know who are in their 50s but look like they are in their 40s or 30s are religious about exercise, like my mom and some of my titas. It keeps the body strong and energized. Working up a sweat is also great for the skin.

u2022 Eat well, and especially eat antioxidant-rich fresh fruits and vegetables. I’ve said it before, but it’s amazing how I notice an undeniable glow to my skin when I’ve been good about my fruits and vegetables. At home, we blend fresh fruit, carrots and cucumber together, and I drink 8 to 12 ounces of this almost everyday. You can also opt to take supplements like vitamin E.

u2022 Get enough sleep. Some people may need more or less than eight hours. Try to get between 7 to 10 hours of sleep every night.

u2022 At the risk of sounding cliché, worry and anger do age people. These kinds of feelings keep people awake late at night, resulting in lack of sleep. Constantly frowning deepens the lines in your face and just makes you look older, period.