The A-Z of Aging Well
From wrinkle-zapping ingredients to wellness wins you can sprinkle into everyday life, these golden nuggets may hold the key to thriving in your later years
A is for alcohol
You only need to take a look in the mirror after a few glasses of rosé for proof that alcohol isn’t great for your skin. “Alcohol is laden with sugar, which does a great job at depleting the collagen in your skin,” explains Amish Patel, aesthetics practitioner at Intrigue Cosmetic Clinic (intriguecosmeticclinic. com). If you are drinking, Amish says adding a glass of water in between alcohol drinks help flush out toxins.
B is for ban face wipes
Simply remembering to remove your make-up after wrestling the kids into bed can feel like a win sometimes, but ditching wipes could earn you extra brownie points in the anti-ageing department. “I would always advise against using face wipes as they essentially just move dirt and oil around your face,” says Dr Elizabeth Hawkes, a consultant ophthalmic and oculoplastic surgeon (drelizabethhawkes.com). “The skin around your eyes is also extremely delicate, so the rubbing motion alone will drag your skin and lead to premature ageing.” Our new fave? The Makeup Meltaway is gentle on your skin but can remove even waterproof mascara and is packed with prebiotics to help with PH-balancing. £26, monoskincare.com
C is for calcium
General wear and tear of our pearly whites is expected as we get older due to the fact that the outer layer of enamel changes. Plus, various medications, including those used to treat hypertension and cholesterol, can cause a dry mouth. Thankfully, there’s lots to smile about, as your diet can help to dictate the health of your mouth. Dairy foods and leafy greens can all work to keep your teeth strong. Try the Organic Natural Kefir Yogurt from Yeo Valley (yeovalley.co.uk) for a calcium-quenching hit. £1.50, tesco.com
D is for dumbbells
Add some resistance to your workouts and get ready to feel the longevity-boosting benefits. “Using dumbbells as part of a regular weight-bearing exercise can help maintain bone density as we age,” says Laura Bryne, personal trainer and founder of Fit & Food (fitandfoodpt.co.uk). Lifting weights can also help reduce the risk of osteoporosis, which is a common issue for menopausal women, she adds.
E is for eye appointments
Eye tests don’t just tell you if you need glasses or even that you have healthy peepers, they’re an important health check – and a potential way to identify underlying issues. “A close inspection of the lens, retina and optic nerve can reveal a host of disorders, even if the patient feels fine and shows no
