The five habits of healthy skin

 1 Protection

Become sun-wise by wearing protective clothing, using a broad-spectrum sun-protection cream and staying out of the sun between 10am and 3pm.

2 Don’t worry, be happy

People who believe they look good have a strong sense of self-esteem, are freed from anxiety and enjoy high energy levels. Stress and anxiety accelerate free-radical activity, and restrict blood and oxygen flow to the cells. Try multi-beneficial activities like yoga, dancing and walking.

3 Where there’s smoke...there are wrinkles

Aside from those tell-tale lines around your mouth, smoking robs the skin of oxygen and precious vitamin C, doubling the rate at which it ages.

4 Sleep well

Sleep is the foundation of your wellbeing. Human growth hormone is released to revitalize your body and regenerate cells.

5 Eat well!

Your fork could be your best weapon against skin ageing. Think of it as a "two-pronged attack" – your skin creams do the work on the surface and your diet tackles the task from the inside. Eating the right foods gives the skin the nutrients it needs to be healthier, brighter, smoother and dare we say, less wrinkled. The top 10 beauty foods: • antioxidant-rich berries • broccoli • butternut pumpkin and dark-leafed greens • oatmeal (slow-cooked not instant) for its soluble fibre and B-complex vitamins • essential fatty acid-rich olive oil • salmon • soy • And, last but not least, water.

courtesy Environ ®