So many of us think we know a lot about anti-aging from what we learn on tv, in commercials, or on the web but the truth is, there are a ton of anti-aging myths, lies, and fibs floatin’ around out there that can lead a girl astray.
Well no longer, I say! I’m trying to rhyme….did it work?
Today I’m breaking down the 3 biggest anti-aging myths most of us mistake for truth.
The Sun
You’re probably not surprised to see that one on here, are ya? We’ve all been told that the sun will make us look old, it will damage our skin, and you should avoid it or block it at all times.
And while there are slivers of truth to this, yes the sun can make you look older and damage your skin, your body also needs it.
Actually, your body needs UNprotected sun exposure. Is your mind blown yet, or was it just me who was shocked to hear this?
Think about it, our ancestors from way way waaaaaay back spent more time outdoors than they ever did indoors, meaning we developed a dependence on the sun for a healthy life, so the idea that the sun is bad for you is just flat out fictitious.
I mean there is a reason why all living things need the sun to survive and why it just feels so damn good to soak it up. Not to mention the loads of pure vitamin D your body produces because of these direct rays.
Ideally you should be looking to get around 10-15 minutes of unprotected sun exposure to stimulate vitamin D synthesis in the skin, however you shouldn’t stay unprotected to the point that you end up with a sunburn.
With this tactic you are looking for just enough exposure to improve your health, give your body the vitamins it needs, and help your skin to look its best.
If after those 10 minutes you just don’t want to go inside, simply slap on some broad spectrum sunscreen (so you are protected against both UVA and B rays) and keep on enjoyin’ those rays.
Expensive Products Are Better For You Than Cheap Products
Cue the freakin’ harps and angels singing because this multi-million dollar myth is about to get busted!
When looking for a solid anti-aging treatment some of us may perceive the more expensive solutions as being more effective, better for your skin, and worth your hard earned money. But in fact, this usually isn’t the truth.
Of course there are some pricey products out there that ARE worth the money and will give you noticeable results, but there are also a lot of cheaper alternatives that are just as effective.
After all, when it comes to the skincare industry, and most specifically the anti-aging industry, it’s all about perceived value.
If you are eyeing up a cream that is $300 a pop, you’re probably going to assume that this is one bad ass cream. It could be a crappy mixture of nothing more than water and wax but if you perceive it’s value to be of high quality than you might fall into the trap and buy it.
Just as there are expensive but effective creams, there are also expensive ineffective creams, and vice versa. It’s all about the ingredients, and the amount of money you spend on a product doesn’t necessarily ensure it’s effectiveness.
And just to add to the myth-bustin’ party, another one of the biggest anti-aging myths is that collagen, one of the biggest contributing ingredients to younger looking skin, can be absorbed through the skin. Before this, I believed that too but alas, it is a myth.
Collagen cannot be absorbed through your skin as it is too large. Therefore, if you want to increase your collagen levels, you should be taking supplements such as natural fermented cod liver oil and vitamin C to encourage natural collagen production in your body.
Do that and you should notice your skin looking a lot younger….and your bank account a lot healthier.
Your Lifestyle Doesn’t Show On Your Skin
This myth didn’t start to sink in for me until I hit my 30s and realized that my late nights, junk food cravings, cocktail-filled weekends, and lack of exercising was reeeaaaallly starting to show on my skin. And you know what? It was NOT a good look for me.
Before I made the change to a more healthy lifestyle my skin was dull, I was bloated, I didn’t have a lot of energy, and my age really was starting to show on my face.
Not only did I feel pretty crappy on the inside, I was starting to feel like I was looking crappy on the outside.
When I finally made the switch to a more active, healthy lifestyle I noticed my skin regaining its glow, the dark circles under my eyes easing up a little (I’m cursed with bad dark circles that will never go away permanently), my bloating subsiding, and my energy levels skyrocketing.
And most importantly, I felt so good on the inside that I started noticing I was feeling better about how I was looking on the outside.
You see, our lifestyle choices affect every part of us. Whether you smoke, drink alcohol, or eat a fat-laden diet, you are essentially allowing these choices to show on your skin.
And because our skin is our biggest organ, everything we consume, inhale, or lather onto our skin affects how it looks.
So if you are noticing your skin is lacking a little lustre, add some healthy fats such as cod liver oil, salmon, trout, avocados, and nuts to your diet.
If you find your skin is a little dry, hydrate it with fruits and veggies that are rich in vitamins such as strawberries, kiwis, oranges, magoes, cantaloupe, grapefruit, red and green peppers, brocoli, and kale.
Or if you want to give your skin a fighting chance to reverse some of the damage you’ve done, get your fill of vitamin A by eating loads of carrots, tomatos, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, spinach, eggs, and oily fish.
Not only will these foods help to reverse some of the damage you have done to your skin but they will help to protect your skin against future damage.
And for the love of God, drink lots of water, will ya? It not only hydrates your body but it helps to naturally moisturize your skin and protect it against future rips and tears; another factor that can make your skin look older than it is.
So, what do ya think? Were you shocked to see some of these common anti-aging myths busted? What did you find to be the most shocking? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Finally, if you feel you have made the necessary changes to your lifestyle and are still looking for a little extra anti-aging help then pop over to our complete breakdown of the best anti-aging treatments on the market today and take a look at our suggestions that are both effective and affordable.
