Maintaining a youthful complexion

by Gemma Bryson

Keeping youthful-looking skin involves a combination of skincare habits, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors. Here’s a concise guide to maintaining a youthful complexion:

Sun Protection

Shield your skin from harmful UV rays this Summer by applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day, even on cloudy days. Sunscreen prevents premature ageing, including wrinkles, age spots, and sagging skin.

Healthy Diet

Consume a balanced diet that is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Antioxidants fight free radicals, which can damage skin cells and accelerate ageing. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Hydration

Drink an adequate amount of water daily to keep your skin hydrated and supple. Proper hydration maintains skin elasticity and helps flush out toxins, promoting a clear complexion.

Skincare Routine →

Establish a consistent skincare regimen tailored to your skin type and concerns. Cleanse your face twice daily to remove dirt, oil, and makeup. Use products containing ingredients like retinoids, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and peptides to address specific skin issues and promote collagen production.

Moisturize

Apply a moisturizer suited to your skin type to keep it hydrated and prevent moisture loss. Moisturizers with ingredients like glycerin, ceramides, and squalene help maintain the skin’s natural barrier function and improve its texture.

Gentle Exfoliation

Exfoliate your skin regularly to remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover. However, avoid overexfoliating, as it can irritate the skin and exacerbate ageing. Opt for gentle exfoliants like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) a few times a week.

Get Adequate Sleep ↘

Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night. During sleep, the body repairs and rejuvenates skin cells, contributing to a youthful complexion. Lack of sleep can lead to dull, tired-looking skin and accentuate fine lines and wrinkles.

Regular Exercise

Engage in regular physical activity to boost circulation, promote detoxification, and maintain overall health. Exercise also helps reduce stress and promotes better sleep, which are essential for youthful-looking skin.

Stress Management

Practice stress-reducing techniques such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises. Chronic stress can trigger inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and skin issues like acne and eczema, which can contribute to premature ageing.

Limit Alcohol and Avoid Smoking

Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can accelerate skin ageing by depleting collagen, causing wrinkles, and reducing skin elasticity. Limit alcohol intake and avoid smoking to preserve your skin’s youthfulness.

By incorporating these habits into your daily routine, you can help maintain youthful-looking skin and delay the signs of ageing effectively.

At The Lazy Frog, you can experience traditional Thai massage techniques.

Our therapists are qualified practitioners in Thai massage and will adapt the massage to suit your needs and to ensure your comfort. We combine elements of the traditional massage with aromatic, deep tissue and gentle oil massage to provide a wide range of services.

I’m Holly, and the adorable dog in the pictures is my companion, Oakley. I’m a 20-year-old student studying fashion design at university in London. Unfortunately, Oakley cannot join me at university until he is officially qualified. I am managing multiple chronic conditions such as POTS, Fibromyalgia, CFS, anxiety, and depression. Oakley and I have been training together since he was 13 weeks old. Over the past 20 months, we have learned a great deal. However, we now find ourselves in a challenging situation that requires assistance.

To help Oakley become qualified, we must seek help from a private company rather than the charity we were with, which incurs significant costs. I intend to use the funds left to me by my late grandmother, but I still need to raise additional funds to cover the remaining expenses for Oakley’s training as it’s going to be roughly £16,000. Asking for financial support is a significant request, so in return, I will provide regular updates on Oakley’s progress and our journey once he becomes fully qualified.

In 2022, I met Oakley, and I instantly formed a deep connection with him. He is not only training to save my life but has also become my loyal companion - a kind and affectionate soul with boundless love to offer.

His loyalty and companionship have brought me immeasurable joy and comfort. Together, we have forged an unbreakable bond, built on trust, love, and shared experiences.

When I was first suspected of having chronic illnesses and then later being diagnosed with them, I was very depressed, I was stuck in bed and on the sofa sleeping for 16 plus hours a day. We bought Oakley home in October 2022 and my life has never been the same, he helped me find a new lease on life, teaching him new things and learning to see the world through his eyes. He helped me out of the pit I was in and ready to achieve my dreams. I owe Oakley everything, he deserves this training and to have so many beautiful adventures while keeping me safe by my side.

Just a few of the many benefits an assistance dog can bring, once trained and qualified, include being able to provide comfort during anxiety or panic attacks, offer a calming presence, interrupt harmful behaviours, remind their handler to take medication, and provide a sense of security and companionship, significantly improving their mental health and emotional stability.

Thank you for reading,

Holly and Oakley gofund.me/8eaa983e