Ageing may be inevitable but there are certain things you can do to keep your skin looking healthier and youthful for longer.

know you’ve heard it before but I’m putting this as number one if you want to keep your skin looking good.

Exposure to the sun’s UV rays is the leading cause of premature skin aging – even in these cool climes.

Using a good sunblock properly is important. This means using a daily sunblock, even in the winter months.

But which one? Here are a few basic rules:

• Look for the stars. A sunblock with a star rating of 3-5 protects from the ageing UVA rays
• A sunblock with an SPF rating of 30-50 protects from the burning UVB rays.
• In winter months an SPF of 15-20 is adequate for day to day use. These are found in a number of moisturisers, so you don’t need two products.
• In the summer months an SPF of 30 is needed.
• When going abroad to warmer climates, this should be upped to an SPF 50 – no less!
• Zinc oxide and Titanium dioxide a two ingredients that are physical barriers to UV radiation and should be in a sunblock.
• A hat and clothing to cover the skin is important if spending a length of time outdoors.

Eating a well-balanced diet helps insure that the body gets all the vitamins it needs to maintain healthy skin and hair. The following nutrients are great for your skin:

• Vitamin A – Helps maintain healthy, smooth skin by encouraging exfoliation and boosting collagen production. It’s also good for hair. Carrots and sweet potatoes are a good source.
• Riboflavin (B2) – Helps prevent skin disorders, especially around the nose, lips and mouth. Spinach, mushrooms and milk products are good sources as are liver and eggs.
• Niacin (B3) – Helps prevent skin disorders, especially on parts of the body exposed to the sun (sun spots/pigmentation). It also improves hydration and skin barrier function. Think peanuts, white meats, fish, mushrooms and potato.
• Vitamin B6 – Helps prevent skin disorders and cracks around the mouth. you can find this in fish, beef liver and other organ meats, potatoes and other starchy vegetables, and fruit (but not citrus fruit)
• Vitamin C – Helps in healing of skin and collagen production. Fruits such as oranges and other citrus fruits are a good sources as are kiwi and mango. Capsicums, broccoli and green peas.
• Vitamin D – Helps keep skin (and bones) healthy. Known as the “sunshine vitamin” it is manufactured by the skin with the help of sunlight but you can also find it in fatty fish like tuna, mackerel, and salmon or foods fortified with vitamin D, like some dairy products, orange juice, soy milk, and cereals. Beef liver, cheese and egg yolks are also sources of Vitamin D.

Dry skin conditions can sometimes cause the blood vessels to ;