Reverse the Aging of your Skin with These Simple Steps

What Happens to Your Skin as You Age?

How old were you when you first noticed signs of aging on your skin? Most people see their first wrinkle or sunspot in their mid-to-late twenties. Some earlier, some later. According to Dr. Diana Howard, in her article on Structural Changes Associated with Aging Skin, over time, your skin appears (and feels) thinner, less robust, and discolored. This is the result of decreased collagen production, lost skin elasticity, and several other internal and external factors.

Why Does Skin Health Matter?

Skin health and appearance is a major factor in how we are perceived in terms of health and overall wellness, so it should come as no surprise that humans have been chasing anti-aging strategies since before documented history. With proper nutrition and skin care, you CAN reverse the effects of father time on your appearance. Genetics certainly play a part, but it’s not as important as the diet, body care regimen, and lifestyle of each individual. Cleansing and nourishing your skin externally and internally on a regular basis will do wonders in turning that clock back.

Beauty Comes from Within (Literally)

Believe it or not, the foods you do (and don’t) ingest have a huge impact on your skin. For example, collagen production naturally decreases as we age. Collagen is a naturally occurring element found in just about every type of soft tissue in the body. Supplementing with collagen is clinically proven to increase collagen activity in your skin.

This not only improves skin elasticity, but studies show that ingesting collagen daily also stimulates your body’s natural repair processes. In an article published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, researchers from the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of Sao Paulo found that collagen supplements have an anabolic effect on skin repair processes. You’re quite literally giving your skin the tools it needs to repair and reverse the effects of aging.

Bonus: Your joints will start to feel better too! Your tendons, ligaments, and much of the cushioning in your joints are made of collagen. When your body only has a limited amount of collagen to use, it prioritizes to where it is needed the most. As much as we value a youthful appearance, healthy joints are more important. Add more collagen to your diet, and your body will naturally spread the wealth!

A six month clinical trial on collagen supplementation at Penn State University yielded some very promising results. Participants that received the collagen supplement reported less joint pain walking, resting, and during physical activity. For those with arthritis of the knee, the benefits were even more pronounced. Inflammation, discomfort, and mobility were all significantly improved!

The BEST Collagen

There are a couple of different ways to add collagen to your diet, but the most effective is through collagen peptides and/or bone broth collagen. Now, as with most supplements, collagen supplements aren’t always organic or appetizing. We’ve worked hard to develop collagen products that are not only 100% natural, but very tasty.

Bone Broth Collagen Bars

Not a fan of protein powders? We’ve got you covered with organic bone broth collagen bars – they are to die for! With a nutritional profile for perfect on-the-go nutrition for your busy lifestyle. We make them in Coconut Almond, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, and Wild Blueberry Nut flavors. Again, no bone broth taste to them at all. Just fresh, natural, GMO-free ingredients.

What’s Your Skin Care Regimen Like?

All the healthy eating in the world won’t help much if you don’t take care of your largest organ: your skin! Beautycounter is one of the best places to find natural, effective skin care products. They have one of the best anti-aging skincare lines available and their ingredient standards are no joke.

As far as anti-aging skincare goes, you can’t beat the Countertime line of products. Countertime contains proven ingredients that are boosted by antioxidant fruit extracts (something you won’t easily find elsewhere). Antioxidants fight the damage, inflammation, and premature aging caused by free radicals. We know the importance of antioxidant-rich superfoods in our diet – why should skin care be any different?

Well, the answer is that it shouldn’t! According to Dr. Karen Burke of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine’s department of dermatology, vitamins and antioxidants speed up the skin repair process AND prevent further damage. The discoloration and wrinkles associated with age, sun damage, and free radicals can be lessened or even reversed with the right ingredients. Once you have the right tools, all you need is to be consistent!

Here’s a breakdown of the Countertime line:

• Rejuvenating Face Cleanser: Gently removes makeup and dirt from the day, while moisturizing your skin with fruit and berry seed oil. A little green tea extract keeps irritation at bay.
• Rejuvenating Toner Pads: Tighten skin and refine your pores with vitamin C, a mixed fruit acid complex, and algae extract. They also have a wonderful magnolia scent.
• The Rejuvenating Radiance Serum really sets this line apart from other regimens. The lightweight formula will help smooth your skin tone and boost your skin’s hydration and elasticity, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and age spots. LOVE IT.
• Rejuvenating Day Cream keeps your skin soft with omega-rich oils and fruit extracts. In an independent trial, 90% of women found their skin to be more soft and supple with this product!
• Any good skin care regimen has a night cream to lock in moisture while you sleep. With the Rejuvenating Night Cream, a full 100% of women reported improved hydration after just one use! This cream improves skin firmness and elasticity with marine and safflower extracts.
• Rejuvenating Eye Cream: Wild algae soothes the sensitive skin around your eyes and the appearance of fine lines, while caffeine takes away any puffiness and lightens those dark circles right up!