A Cosmetic Facelift

Skin Foods

• Papaya in any form as it gives a healthy glow to the skin.
• Ginger, which helps drain away excess water from the body and reduces bloating and puffy eyes.
• Foods rich in Vitamin C, such as kiwi and lemon. Vitamin C is a great anti-oxidant and helps minimise damage caused by daily exposure to the environment.
• Fish rich in omega 3 acids, like salmon. You could take fish oil supplements too.
• Green tea to load up on anti-oxidants that negate the effects of pollution, heavy drinking and smoking.

Good Skin Mantras

• Use a sunscreen regularly. The most common cause for skin ageing is UV damage.
• Using a good sunscreen 365 days a year will slow down the natural ageing process.
  Wear sunglasses.
• They will protect the sensitive areas around your eyes. They will also prevent the frown lines that appear from constant squinting in bright sunshine. Remember, frown lines only look good on Sean Connery.
• Know your skin type. Oily skin necessitates the use of oil-free skin products to avoid pimples.
• Dry skin calls for the use of skincare products with moisturising components.
• Hydration is also key in achieving well-moisturised skin, so it pays to drink lots of water. Coffee and soft drinks don't count.
• Cleansing. For those blessed with normal skin, a good skin-care regimen is still needed to maintain it in good condition. For those with a combination of oily and dry skin, diligence in cleansing is the key in achieving and maintaining good skin.
• Quit smoking. Nicotine reduces blood supply and causes general ageing of skin, discolouration of lips and fag lines around the mouth, all of which make the person look much older than his biological age.
• Ensure a healthy diet. At least five portions of fruits and vegetables a day with your plate offering a variety of colours-yellows, greens and reds.
  Limit alcohol. Remember Captain Haddock's rum nose? Too much alcohol may make you look like a cartoon, restrict to two 30 ml pegs every day.
• Exercise. Regular exercise releases the body's natural endorphins which add a glow to the skin and improve skin health.
• Follow a cleansing routine. Take out 10 minutes each night to clean, tone and apply a night cream. This will show excellent results in the long term. This can be combined with anti-ageing creams after consulting a dermatologist.
  Scrub. Use a walnut or apricot scrub about twice a week to take off the dead layer of the skin. By the second week, you will see fine lines smoothening, and spots reducing.
• Use aftershave. It heals the cuts faster, making your face smoother. And yes, it makes you smell yum.
• Get adequate sleep. Lack of sleep gives you dark circles and a puffy face. Indulge in abundant sleep-ideally six to eight hours.
• Get a sharp haircut. It can bring out the depth in your eyes, make you look more alert and smarter.
• Fix your lifestyle. You are what you eat, since your face is the barometer of your lifestyle. And if your wife looks a lot younger than you without being so, maybe stealing some tips from her wouldn't harm you. It's okay. You don't need to tell her.

Reproduced from Outlook Business's Wellness Column by Rachna Chhachhi