...
At 26.
It's time.
Most skincare specialists advocate anti-ageing campaigns to begin on the day you turn 25.
This may sound a little premature seen as a 25 year-olds complexion should be flawless (unless of course alcohol, cigarettes and sun beds have become habitual) but prevention is indeed better than cure, so maybe I have left it a little late at the ripe old age of 26...
When I really think about it though, I have been anti-ageing my body and skin for years, without really knowing it.
I load my body each day with foods which are bursting with nourishment, I drink teacup after teacup of green tea and I practice yoga each morning.
I guess my life could be age-proofed further by perhaps finding more than 4 hours to sleep a night - I just find sleep so very unproductive...
But actually I think I've done a pretty good job.
People often mistake me for being a lot younger than I am, so I must be doing something right! So at 26 I have taken my first step to actively prevent my age from expressing itself on my complexion.
And this step is marked with a luminous flashing E.
Yes, vitamin E oil is drip feeding my cells eternal youth.
It comes in a small yellow bottle and is 100% pure vitamin E derived from wheat germ oil, sesame oil, lemon oil and alpha-tocopherols and I have been massaging just a few drops on to my skin before bedtime each night.
Known for its speedy healing, this vitamin helps to melt away scars, blemishes, uneven skin tone and fine lines.
When people are presented with the theory of anti-ageing, often they will instantly think of topical creams, gels and products that are bombarded upon them during pretty much every commercial break on television.
Yes, external application of certain ingredients has been shown to help hydrate cells to help prevent cell damage and slow down what we have come to recognise as 'ageing.
' (Vitamin E is certainly one of these little heroes which you will find on the ingredients list of many 'anti-ageing' skincare products, alongside rosehip oil, omega fatty acids and other antioxidants.
) But in fact the most effective way to help draw out your youth is through internal nourishment.
Your skin is only a reflection of what is going on underneath after all.
My vitamin E oil is pure enough to swallow and it accompanies my breakfast every morning consisting of 5 golden drops.
And it really does taste quite lovely.
So what is the vitamin E oil doing inside me? Vitamin E is an antioxidant, which means that it dresses my cells up in protective armour when the free radical cold war strikes.
Free radicals have a number of common culprits including stress, pollution, cigarettes, certain foods, BBQ meat, UV rays and even natural body processes, so really no matter how saintly your life may be you will be attacked by ageing and cell damaging free radicals on a daily basis.
This is where antioxidants come in as they help to counteract the free radicals, fighting them down until they can cause no damage.
Vitamin E helps to keep your cells communicating effectively and your blood swimming through your body at ease.
It repairs the skin and helps to keep your pores cleansed, toned and moisturised from the INSIDE! Of course, any savvy nutritionista knows that you cannot rely on supplements and oils alone to provide you with essential nutrients.
You need to be packing a punch on your plates too...
Incorporate plenty of spinach, avocados, sunflower seeds, kale, broccoli, sesame seed oil, almonds, olives and blueberries into your daily diet.
Now, vitamin E oil is certainly not the only way to help age-proof your skin.
There are endless anti-ageing techniques that include diet, supplements, lifestyle, exercise and skincare products...
Perhaps a nutritional consultation tailored to your unique requirements would be a good idea...
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