Become aware of your skin
"The skin is an organ, the largest and heaviest of the body," says Chantal Lehmann, creator of holistic treatments. When one understands this, it becomes obvious that a poor diet will have a negative impact, and intestines play a major role in the immune system. Some basic rules to assimilate with food must be considered silently yet mindfully. When one does not eat enough, the intestinal walls create acidity. This stimulates and tires the pancreas and gallbladder, messes up the intestinal ecosystem and therefore, the skin.
Varied and healthy eating
Colour your plate! Fruits and vegetables are packed with colours from beta-carotene, lycopene, antioxidants, polyphenols...all good for the skin. "By cons, it is imperative that these foods are accompanied by good fat because it is those that will convey the active ingredients in our bodies," says Isabelle Benoit, Director of Esthederm scientific innovation. Example? A carrot salad + an olive oil. Tomatoes + mozzarella. Plus, banish the bad fats from your diet (animal fats, meats, etc.).
Change your lifestyle
No tobacco, less coffee, alcohol, sodas or sugar. Should we recall the harmful effects of cigarettes on the skin, though? As for sugar, it is now known that the increase of blood glucose (sugar level in the blood) creates oxidations and accelerates the aging process.
Use and abuse face masks
Do not underestimate this step. Often they are applied really quickly before a night for an immediate effect, but when we want to reap its anti-aging effects, it may be 'too late'. Get in all the areas of your face to give priority to (the contours of the eyes, neck, etc.), and then treat them to excess masking with a wrinkle firming cream every morning.
Delivering sleep
It's better to go to bed early (around 10pm) to enable not only the body but also the skin to recover during the most beneficial hours. Blood circulation is increasingly important between 11pm and 4am and cell regeneration is at its peak around 1am. In case of little sleep or short nights, get up early and limit naps to avoid infringing on deep sleep (which might cause insomnia the following night). The trick, according to Chantal Lehmann, "When I go to bed later, I get up an hour before my usual wake up time and meditate. Then I do a yoga posture on the head in order to irrigate the brain and circulate blood. Guaranteed effect." Isabelle Benedict's advice: "Sleep on your back, if possible, so as not to 'hurt' your face and create or accentuate wrinkles."
Go stress-free
When one is in agreement with oneself, they stress less and their skin thanks them. Indeed, chronic stress could prematurely age you by ten years, according to a US study (published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal), and do not even speak of the harmful effects on the body... So, say no to stress and frustration!
Smile
The mind also has some responsibility in the images you return to others. There is also a big difference between the age perceived by ourselves or by others. Often they see us younger. "When a woman smiles," says Isabelle Benoit, "one does not ask her age but pays attention to the harmony of her face."
Cleansing morning and evening
Going to bed without having cleansed the face accelerates aging, and that, you know. But do you also correctly cleanse the skin upon waking? Indispensable to display a 'backdrop' to looking beautiful and healthy, remember to get rid of sebum and dust from the night before applying your day cream.
Sun Safe
Preventive point by Dr Cohen Letessier, dermatologist and expert RoC Soleil: we need the sun (for our bones, vitamin D, etc.), but we also know that it is one of the main causes of aging skin. It is therefore essential to protect the skin daily, even in the city, and indoors (big windows and windshields are part of passive exposure). Go for sun care or opt for a BB cream that will have the merit of being moisturising, protective and tinted.
To massage every day
Joëlle Ciocco says: skin aging (which begins at 20) is in part due to loss of respiration and skin oxygenation. Here is a simple exercise to do every day, anytime and anywhere, inspired by the efficient method of "pinching Jacquet." You can do it without care to the skin, use an oil or if your skin is dehydrated or sensitized (or a nourishing cream but not anti-aging, as the active ingredients will heat up upon stimulation). Take your skin between thumb and forefinger and pull lightly to loosen the tissue. Count three seconds. Don't pinch too much, the important thing is to raise the tissue for circulating fluids and let the skin breathe. The adhoc dosage? Two to three minutes per day.
