For youthful-looking skin

EATING too much sugar certainly isn’t wise for your waistline, but overindulging in dessert can also add years to your face.

The natural ingredients in whole foods such as romaine lettuce and strawberries help increase cell turnover, and boost production of collagen fibres to help keep skin smooth and firm.

Conversely, foods with little to no nutritional benefits, such as sugar-packed doughnuts, can actually damage the collagen and elastin that keep skin firm and youthful.

These ageing effects start at the age of 35 and increase rapidly after that, according to a study published in the British Journal Of Dermatology. Follow any of these tips to attain better-looking skin.

Don’t overdo dessert

The breakdown of sugars, called glycation, damages the collagen that keeps skin smooth and firm. To prevent this, stick to low-glycemic carbs like whole grains; they are naturally low in sugar, and the body processes them slowly to limit the loss of collagen.

exercise your stress away

Taking your work angst out on the bike or treadmill might make you feel better for a little while, but incorporating yoga into your fitness routine regularly may help you look younger and prevent breakouts while whittling away stress.

Research shows regular yoga practice may reduce the inflammation and stress that speed skin ageing.

Get a lift

Following a regular strengthtraining routine that creates better, more supportive muscle tone will help you firm sagging skin from the neck down

eat alkaline-forming food

Eat more alkaline-forming foods, such as parsley, almonds, kale, pears, lemons, and apples, to make the skin and hair look better.

If your body is too acidic, which can happen when your diet is unbalanced, it leaches the alkaline minerals, such as calcium, potassium and magnesium, that allow us to have strong, healthy bones, teeth and hair.

take a breather

When your exercise routine is so intense that you’re tired all the time but can’t sleep at night, you’re setting yourself up for overuse injuries – not to mention dark circles and bags under your eyes from those sleepless nights.

You should plan your rest as well as you plan exercise. — Prevention magazine/ Tribune News Service