Don’t just Age gracefully, Age beautifully — Shahnaz Husain

“You don’t stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing,” the famous quote by George Bernard Shaw is still relevant in modern context. We all want to look great as we age and seek solutions in jars and bottles, potions and lotions promising timeless youth and beauty.

Age is no longer what it used to be. Getting older doesn’t mean decline or despair. It’s a reason for celebration!

After all, with age come experience, wisdom, peace and a certain level of respect and expertise.

There are plenty of ways we can age with grace, beauty, and joy. We can experience more happiness, more success and get even better with age and experience.

Aging is inescapable. Let’s face it, none of us love the idea of getting older and makeup can’t completely cover aging. So, why not age gracefully and beautifully and maybe get back that natural glow?

So, what is the wisdom to aging beautifully and gracefully? If we acknowledge that beauty comes from health, we can motivate ourselves to be our healthiest. That starts with the basics.

If you have been following a healthy diet and lifestyle, you will find that it delays visible aging signs on your skin. Good health and fitness have many benefits where the appearance is concerned. Actually, regular exercise helps to delay aging changes and has a beneficial effect on both body and mind. It keeps the muscles and joints flexible and prevents problems like osteoporosis. Walking is excellent, as it helps to exercise the entire body.

The benefits of exercise are extensive. Among them are the feel-good hormones which are produced when we exercise: endorphins. These make us happier and improve our energy levels. Running, tennis, gym, football, badminton, kho kho, belly dancing, it’s all good.

So, consult your doctor about taking up some regular exercise.

Along with exercise, adopt a healthy eating pattern, with an emphasis on fresh fruits, unrefined cereals, salads, sprouts, lightly cooked vegetables, yogurt and skimmed milk, clear soups, fresh fruit juices.  The diet should be low in fats, sugar, and starch, but high in vitamins and minerals. This kind of diet will raise your level of fitness and also help your skin. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains is highly advisable.

It is never too late to start a regular skin care routine, selecting products according to the skin type. The skin-care routine should include cleansing, toning, moisturizing and nourishing. With age, the activity of the oil glands decreases and the skin becomes drier. Therefore, daily moisturizing and nourishing help to keep the skin soft, supple and youthful.

Certain areas show aging signs easily. So, pay special attention to the neck and the area around the eyes, which show age most of all. Nowadays specialized products are available for the care of particular areas, like the eyes. Avoid massaging the skin around the eyes, as it can get easily pulled and stretched. The application of outer-eye creams helps to maintain the elasticity of the skin and prevent early wrinkles. The hands also begin to show neglect and aging sooner than most other parts of the body. Take 2 tablespoons sunflower oil and 3 tablespoons coarse sugar. Mix together till it becomes a paste. Apply and rub into the skin of hands. Rinse off after 15 minutes.

Take weekly facials at a good beauty parlour. Professional massage, with cleansing, toning, and mask, really help to rejuvenate the skin. The skin’s ability to retain moisture improves and so does the process of cell renewal.

Recent scientific studies show that sun-exposure causes spectacular changes in the skin and is the single most important cause of skin aging. The effect of the sun, or photo-aging, is much more profound than the passage of time. Therefore, sun-protection with sun-block products is imperative.

Many anti-aging ingredients are also easily available at home:

Green tea is a powerful antioxidant, which helps to delay visible aging signs. Take half cup of water and 2 teaspoons green tea. Bring the water to a boil. Put tea leaves in a ceramic bowl. Pour the hot water over it and keep for 2 minutes. Strain and cool the liquid. Apply on face with cotton wool to tone the skin. Leave on.

Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and helps the regeneration of new cells. Crush sesame seeds (til) coarsely and mix it with honey. Add dried mint leaves. Or, mix almond meal with yogurt for exfoliation. Apply on the face and rub gently on the skin with small circular movements. Wash off with water.

Boil carrots, cabbage, and turnip in water. Strain, cool and use the water to wash the face. Mash the vegetables into a pulp and use as a face mask. This helps to nourish the skin with Vitamin A and minerals.

Fruits like banana, apple, papaya, watermelon can be mixed together and applied as a face mask for all skin types.  Papaya, rich in enzymes, cleanses the skin of dead cells and helps cell renewal. Banana tightens the skin. Apples and oranges are rich in vitamins and minerals. Watermelon hydrates the skin.  Apply and wash off after 30 minutes.

For an anti-aging face mask that also adds radiance, take half-teaspoon wheat germ oil and 2 drops of geranium oil. Add 2 teaspoons oatmeal, one teaspoon almond meal, and orange juice.  The pack is rich in antioxidants and Vitamin E, with powerful anti-aging benefits.

Last, but not least, your attitude is important. Keep an open mind. Never hesitate to try out something new in fashion or colours. You never know, it may suit you. Be subtle with make-up and accessories. Do not follow fashion fads. They may not be for you. Learn something new. Cultivate your interests and hobbies. They give another dimension to the personality.

According to Sophia Loren, the famous film star, “There is a fountain of youth – it is your mind, your talents, and creativity that you bring to life and to the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” But in the end, growing older beautifully means investing in the healthiest lifestyle possible in body and in mind.

Also read: Ancient Beauty Secrets That Still Work Today — Shahnaz Husain