Anti-Aging the Real Way

by Valerie Gladstone — January 4, 2008

Cosmetic companies could put an anti-aging label on a bottle of glue and millions of women would run out to buy it. But the truth is, no formula will ever beat our taking care of ourselves. There's no quick fix unless you count Botox, and even that can't do what we can do on our own:

• Use SPF 365 days a year. The major culprit in premature aging is the sun, specifically UV-A aging rays; they keep coming even when it's cloudy. Get it in a moisturizer, using one higher than SPF 15 to compensate for the fact that we usually don't apply enough. And remember, it takes 20 to 30 minutes to build a barrier so apply enough time ahead.

• Deal with stress. Don't take anxiety as a given. Give yourself daily timeouts like a walk after dinner or on your lunch break.

• Eat anti-aging foods. Vegetables, beans, olive oil, and multigrain bread are far better for you than meat, butter, and sugar. Fountain of youth nutrients: Vitamin E in vegetable oils and brown rice can combat some complexion-killing free radicals; vitamin C, another antioxidant, plumps ups skin by rebuilding collagen fibers.

• No smoking. Smoking breaks down collagen (which keeps you smooth) and can cut oxygen flow to the skin by as much as 30%, giving it a lifeless appearance. Need help quitting, try lungusa.org .

• Exercise. Working out sends oxygen and nutrients to the skin, boosting vibrancy and collagen production. For instant gratification, poses like Yoga's Downward Dog makes your skin rosy fast.

• Watch the booze. Even a few happy hours a week can dry out the skin. Overtime, it will turn sallow, ruddy, and wrinkled. A drink a day is okay, especially for your heart. Just don't go overboard.