Much ado is made about wrinkles, especially when the wrinkles are adorned by women. I can’t help but think of Lauren Hutton’s quote, ” Our wrinkles are our medals of the passage of life. They are what we have been through and what we want to be.” It pretty much sums up the beauty of wrinkles. They tell the story of our lives. But as beautiful as they are, I’m certain no one wants to wrinkle before their time.

Unfortunately, for some women, those lovely lines that tell the story of their lives are premature. They end up on the skin due to a lack of targeted skin care both on the inside and the outside, or more plainly put, because of unhealthy lifestyle choices. I say, let age not lack of care be the reason for wrinkles.

As we age, our skin loses collagen and elastin, which are fibers that give the skin its suppleness. In addition, fat cells beneath the surface of the skin also shrink. This results in wrinkling and sagging. The culprits responsible are free radicals that break down collagen. Other culprits include UV rays, pollution, recreational drugs, and smoking.

The body, in turn, fights back with antioxidants, which neutralize free radicals. Therefore, it’s important to provide the body with lots of antioxidants and healthy nutrients through the foods we eat.

Wanna put the pause on premature wrinkling? Consider these 5 tips:

Water

It’s great on the inside and does wonders for the outside. I’m talking smooth hydrated skin. Skin cells need lots water to maintain the suppleness of the cellular membrane and also to receive the nutrients needed to keep them healthy. Drinking plenty of water also rehydrates your body especially if you’re very active or outside on a very hot day. The recommended amount of water is 8 8oz glasses per day, and if you’re active or if it’s hot outside, you should drink more.

 

Vit E

Want to get your glow up? Try vitamin E, which has been long known for its protective antioxidant ability to heal damaged skin. Ever wondered why mommies rub vitamin E on their children’s bruises and sensitive skin? It’s because they know of its healing power. Taking a quality vitamin E supplement will also aid in the skin’s ability to repair itself.

Olive oil

Olive oil is loaded with Oleic acid, a fatty acid that maintains the skin’s cell membranes fluid and will keep the skin soft and supple. It also contains other fatty acids that fight inflammation. Additional benefits include vitamin E and polyphenols, antioxidants that protect the skin from free radical damage.

Garlic

A garlic clove per day can help keep the wrinkles at bay, if you can stomach the smell, of course. This vampire slayer and “stinking rose” as it’s also known has a wealth of polyphenols, which protects the skin. If you decide that consuming it raw is the way to go, after chopping it up, let it stand for approximately 15 minutes so the active compounds can develop, then eat it.

Berries

These tiny fruits (Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries} pack a powerful punch of antioxidants.  Add them to your juices and smoothies. The antioxidants that they produce zaps the free radicals that are responsible for damaging the skin cells.