Health & Fitness

6 Ways ?to Minimize Wrinkles Naturally

Wrinkles are a fact of life, but there's a lot you can do to keep them to a minimum

By Wellness Matters /

Sleep, hydration and vitamins all play a role in maintaining wrinkle-free skin

Wrinkles are a fact of life, and while a few well-earned lines can add character to a face, there’s nothing particularly fetching about skin that looks like leather

Here are five tips to help minimize wrinkles:

  1. 

Avoid the sun. Especially between 11 a.m. and 
4 p.m., and wear sunscreen year-round. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) B radiation damages the outer layer of your skin, while UVA radiation damages the deeper layer resulting in sagging and wrinkling. The Canadian Dermatology Association recommends using a minimum SPF 30 sunscreen on your face year-round to defend against UVA and UVB radiation.
  2. 

Stop smoking. Cigarette smoke may cause the body to form free radicals, which are known to cause the cells to break down, and nicotine reduces blood flow to the skin. Smoking also uses up vitamin C in the body, which plays a role in preserving the collagen in the skin. Smoking also forms deep repetitive expression lines around the mouth and eyes, ultimately leading to “smoker’s face.”
  3. 

Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep can manifest itself as bags, fine lines or dark circles in the fragile skin under the eyes. Sleep plays a critical role in helping the body repair damage, including in the skin.


  4. Eat a diet rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins. The essential fatty acids found in fatty fish like salmon, nuts and seeds help with skin repair. Antioxidants, found in foods like blackberries, green tea, olive oil and broccoli, are known to help neutralize the skin-damaging effects of free radicals. Nuts are a great source of skin-friendly vitamin E, while carrots are a rich source of beta-carotene and vitamin A.


  5. Drink plenty of water. Good hydration helps plump up the skin and is essential for overall health.
  6. Avoid rubbing your face too vigorously. Wash your face gently, 
pat it dry and apply moisturizer with light strokes.

Originally published in Wellness Matters, Canada Wide Media’s quarterly newsletter on health and wellness.