BEAUTY WITH NICOLE--WRINKLE PREVENTION

If you don’t know by now to use sunscreen to protect yourself from skin cancer, you’ve probably been living someplace that rarely sees sunlight. For years conventional wisdom has also said that sunscreen protects our skin from aging. And who wants wrinkles, right? Cute laugh lines grow up to be deep crevices, and most of us would like to delay that part of our lives for as long as possible.

Now there’s scientific data to back up that conventional wisdom. In a 4-1/2 year study of adults ranging in age up to middle-age, Australian researchers found that applying broad spectrum sunscreen reduced the signs of aging by 24%.

Sunscreen...don’t leave home without it.

BEAUTY WITH NICOLE--WRINKLE PREVENTION

We’re in the middle of summer. Are you slathering on the sun block? Nothing causes wrinkles like the sun (smoking is a close second.) If you want to stay looking young longer (not to mention preventing skin cancer,) you need to prevent all those harmful UV rays from attacking your skin. Hats and staying under an umbrella at the beach won’t do the job. Even keeping to the shade won’t totally protect you. UV rays can reflect off water, sand, rocks, buildings, and cars. They can even penetrate through your clothing. So make sure you’re using a broad spectrum sun block and reapply periodically while outside. And don’t forget your lips!

Another way to fight wrinkles is to eat foods rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants strengthen your skin and can help ward off aging. You can find antioxidants in foods rich in beta-carotene, lycopene, omega-3 fatty acids, and lutein. There are many foods that contain these antioxidants such as avocados, apples, carrots, apricots, watermelon, cherry tomatoes, fish, and walnuts.