Don’t just age gracefully, age beautifully!

Age is no longer what it used to be. Getting older doesn’t mean decline or despair. It’s a reason for celebration! After all, with age comes experience, wisdom, peace and a certain level of respect and expertise. Ageing is inescapable. Let’s face it, none of us loves the idea of getting older and makeup can't completely cover ageing. So, why not age gracefully and beautifully and maybe get back that natural glow?

If you have been following a healthy diet and lifestyle, you will find that it delays visible ageing signs on your skin. Good health and fitness have many benefits where the appearance is concerned.

Actually, regular exercise helps to delay ageing changes and has a beneficial effect on both body and mind. It keeps the muscles and joints flexible and prevents problems like osteoporosis. Walking is excellent, as it helps to exercise the entire body.

The benefits of exercise are extensive. Among them are the feel-good hormones, which are produced when we exercise: endorphins. These make us happier and improve our energy levels. Running, tennis, gym, football, belly dancing, it’s all good.

Along with exercise, adopt a healthy eating pattern, with an emphasis on fresh fruits, unrefined cereals, salads, sprouts, lightly cooked vegetables, yoghurt and skimmed milk, clear soups, fresh fruit juices. The diet should be low in fats, sugar and starch, but high in vitamins and minerals. This kind of diet will raise your level of fitness and also help your skin. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains is highly advisable.

It is never too late to start a regular skin care routine, selecting products according to the skin type.

Therefore, daily moisturising and nourishing help to keep the skin soft, supple and youthful. Certain areas show ageing signs easily. So, pay special attention to the neck and the area around the eyes, which show age most of all. Nowadays specialised products are available for the care of particular areas, like the eyes. Avoid massaging the skin around the eyes, as it can get easily pulled and stretched. The application of outer-eye creams helps to maintain the elasticity of the skin and prevent early wrinkles. The hands also begin to show neglect and ageing sooner than most other parts of the body. Take two tablespoons sunflower oil and three tablespoons coarse sugar. Mix together till it becomes a paste. Apply and rub into the skin of hands. Rinse off after 15 minutes.

The skin’s ability to retain moisture improves and so does the process of cell renewal.
Recent scientific studies show that sun-exposure causes spectacular changes in the skin and is the single most important cause of skin ageing. The effect of the sun, or photo-ageing, is much more profound than the passage of time. Therefore, sun-protection with sun-block products is imperative.

Many anti-ageing ingredients are also easily available at home:
Green tea is a powerful antioxidant, which helps to delay visible ageing signs. Take half cup of water and 2 teaspoons green tea. Bring the water to a boil. Put tea leaves in a ceramic bowl. Pour the hot water over it and keep for 2 minutes. Strain and cool the liquid. Apply on face with cotton wool to tone the skin. Leave on.

Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and helps the regeneration of new cells. Crush sesame seeds (til) coarsely and mix it with honey. Add dried mint leaves. Or, mix almond meal with yoghurt for exfoliation.

Apply on the face and rub gently on the skin with small circular movements. Wash off with water. Boil carrots, cabbage and turnip in water. Strain, cool and use the water to wash the face. Mash the vegetables into a pulp and use as a face mask. This helps to nourish the skin with Vitamin A and minerals.

Fruits like banana, apple, papaya, watermelon can be mixed together and applied as a face mask for all skin types. Papaya, rich in enzymes, cleanses the skin of dead cells and helps cell renewal. Banana tightens the skin. Apples and oranges are rich in vitamins and minerals. Watermelon hydrates the skin. Apply and wash off after 30 minutes.

For an anti-ageing face mask that also adds radiance, take half-teaspoon wheatgerm oil and 2 drops geranium oil. Add 2 teaspoons oatmeal, one teaspoon almond meal and orange juice. The pack is rich in antioxidants and Vitamin E, with powerful anti-ageing benefits.