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The conversation about premature ageing and how to prevent it has several different talking points. There are internal factors like diet, health and genetics, and then there are external influences such as lifestyle, weather and air pollution.
While we can control our diet and lifestyle, we cannot control the elements (imagine our gardens if we could!). So how can we avoid things like air pollution and prevent the signs of ageing? It all begins in the home.
Here are four household items that can help prevent the signs of ageing:
Silk pillow slips
Say goodnight to premature ageing by changing up your cotton bedding to silk. Silk pillow slips have long been an anti-ageing secret of beauty experts. Sydney skin guru, Melanie Grant swears by them. “Silk allows the skin to slide, so it won’t pull or tug. This reduces crease lines and marks across your face, neck and décolleté”. Not to mention they are a dream to sleep on – so soft!
Air purifier
According to the EPA, indoor levels of air pollutants can be two to five times higher, and occasionally 100 times higher, than outdoor levels. This indoor pollution includes but is not limited to nitrogen dioxide released from unflued gas heaters and cookers. Research conducted by the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, revealed that exposure to nitrogen dioxide can be directly correlated with the signs of ageing.
Battle indoor air pollution with an air purifier. These little gems can capture potentially harmful pollutant particles in the air.
Temperature controlled shower
“A steaming hot shower may seem like a good idea – especially during the cooler months – but your skin certainly won’t thank you for it. The heat can actually strip any moisture from your skin, leaving it dry and dehydrated,” explains Beautycrew’s Editor, Carli Alman.
“Once you’ve dried off from that seemingly wonderful shower, you may be more prone to dry, flaky or cracked skin. And besides that not being a good look, skin that’s dehydrated and lacking in moisture is also more susceptible to the signs of ageing, like fine lines and wrinkles. You’re better off managing the temperature of your shower, and applying a hydrating moisturiser afterwards.”
For extra temperature control and to minimise tap-turning-temptation, look into digitally controlled showers – just set the temp and forget! If this is a little out of the price range, contact your plumber and ask for them to fit a tempering valve to your hot water pipes.
Shade umbrella
It’s no secret that UVA and UVB rays from the sun contribute to premature ageing. It’s also no secret that we Aussies love the outdoors, especially backyard BBQ’s in summer. To maximise outdoor fun but minimise exposure to the harmful sun, why not invest in an outdoor shade umbrella? Not only will it offer relief from the sun, but it will also make your outdoor area more welcoming – the perfect space for entertaining and relaxing!
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