9 Ways to keep your skin looking young

You might not know what it is, but collagen is the key when it comes to keeping your skin youthful and wrinkle-free.

Collagen is a protein produced by our cells that helps "hold" the skin together, giving it firmness and elasticity. When we're young, our skin stays plump and smooth because it constantly regenerates itself. But as we age, collagen production slows -and existing collagen can get damaged due to sun exposure and bad skin habits.The results? Wrinkles and sagging skin. Luckily , there's lots you can do to preserve your collagen and even boost its production...

1 UP YOUR VITAMIN C IN TAKE

A study published in the American Journal of Nutrition found women over 40 with the highest amount of vitamin C in their diet were less likely to develop wrinkles than those who consumed lower levels."Vitamin C is crucial to the formation of collagen. Without it, amino acids can't be linked to form the protein," says dietitian Jo Travers, "Good sources are red pepper, dark green leafy vegetables like broccoli and sprouts, tomatoes, oranges and kiwi fruit." Skincare products that contains vitamin C is also thought to encourage collagen repair (it's usually listed on the label as LAscorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate or ascorbyl phosphate).

2 STOP SMOKING

"Smoking creates enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which damage the collagen in your skin; hence the telltale sagging which many smokers are betrayed by," says consultant dermatologist Dr Nick Lowe.

3 STAY SUN SAFE

Sun exposure is a prime suspect for hastening collagen loss. "UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and damage the deep collagen support structures there," says Dr Lowe, "My advice would be to wear an SPF15 broad spectrum cream (one that protects against UVA and UVB rays) through the year."

4 REACH FOR RETINOL

Retinoid creams -only available on prescription -have been proven to help boost collagen production. "Retinoids reduce substances in the skin that break down collagen after sun exposure and also target receptors in the skin which increase the production of collagen," says Dr Maria Gonzalez. You can get your hands on milder forms of retinoid in over-the-counter retinol creams.

5 CUT BACK ON THE STUFF SWEET

According to Dr Patricia Farris, eating too much sugar can be a beauty disaster. It causes premature ageing of the skin by a process called gly cation. This is where excess sugar in the blood attaches itself to lipids, nucleic acids and proteins (especially your collagen) to form "advanced glycation end products" or AGEs, which accelerate the ageing process and cause wrinkly skin.

6 EXFOLIATE

Exfoliation -removing the top, dead layer of skin -helps speed up the natural process of skin and col lagen renewal, says Amanda Elias, founder of a skin care brand. "My favourite way to b exfoliate is with chemical exfo liants such as gly colic acid and lac tic acid. They dis solve the glue-like ubstance that substance that bonds dead skin to the surface rather than sloughing it away like scrubs do, and give a more even scrubs do, and give a more even r result, leaving skin looking healthier tand more radiant."

7 ADD ANTIOXIDANTS TO YOUR SKINCARE REGIME

Antioxidants help protect against free radicals that can cause ageing skin."The term `free radical' describes a damaged skin cell," says Amanda."It's `free' because it's missing an elec tron (healthy cells have two electrons, a damaged cell has one). "Free radicals attach themselves to healthy skin cells and basically suck out the electrons they need, leaving healthy skin cells damaged. This process triggers an enzyme in the skin that breaks down collagen. Antioxidants help by neutralising the free radical so that it doesn't have to feed off our healthy skin cells."

Sip on green tea -it contains antioxidants called catechins -and eat foods high in lutein, an antioxidant found in green leafy veg like spinach. Look for creams and serums containing antioxidants, too.

8 PLANT PROTEINS, PLEASE

The menopause can make us wrinkly because, as we age, our oestrogen levels drop. Because oestrogen is vital to making healthy collagen, creases and crinkles can creep in to our skin. Lots of foods contain plant oestrogens (phytoestrogens) that can help replace the effects of lost oestrogen. Try hummus, nuts, soy and pinto beans. Look for face creams containing phytoestrogens.

9 MASSAGE

"Massaging your face daily will help boost the production of collagen, give skin a more plump appearance and help stimulate the lymph glands to promote clear skin," says Nichola Joss, a skincare expert. "Use a collagen boosting oil," she adds. Daily Mirror