Reducing wrinkles is a major concern for both women and men. Wrinkling is a fact of life that affects all people, but certain lifestyle choices can make wrinkles appear sooner. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation, either from the sun or the use of tanning beds is a major cause of premature aging of the skin. In addition, doing this can cause malignant melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

Other Lifestyle Choices that Affect Your Skin:

• Smoking increases wrinkles and ages your skin. Dont smoke and if you do, quit to reduce both damage to your skin and your overall health.

• Diet can affect your skin. Eat a healthy diet that includes a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. These are antioxidant rich foods that can help keep your skin firmer longer.

• Dehydration can increase wrinkling. Drink plenty of water to hydrate your body and skin. You should have a minimum of eight glasses of water every day.

• Avoid alcohol, which causes the skin to sag and become puffy. People who drink a lot of alcohol often look older than those who dont drink at all, or only drink occasionally. For your skin, the worst time to consume alcohol is before bed.

• Excessive stress affects your skin. Do what you can to reduce the stress in your life. Relaxation techniques, yoga, prayer, reading the Bible and meditation are excellent ways to reduce stress. This will help you look and feel better.

• Dont sleep on your face, but on your back instead. Sleeping on your face increases wrinkling and increases the effects of gravity on your skin.

Take good care of your skin to help combat the signs of aging. Dont over wash your face; limit washing to twice each day. This is especially true if your tap water contains chlorine or other chemicals used in water purification. Consider having a water filter installed, or use purified water to wash your face, if you find the chlorine irritating. Never wash in very hot water, which is drying.

Use only mild facial cleansers that contain moisturizing ingredients. Stay away from soap, especially deodorant soaps, which are very drying to the skin. After you have washed your face, pat dry and use a moisturizer. Look for products that are oil free. Water based lotion is best for moisturizing the skin without clogging your pores.

Antioxidants help reduce the signs of aging on your skin. These are found in food, vitamins and skin care products. The best sources are vitamin A, C, E. Antioxidants destroy free radicals, which cause cellular damage, age the skin and cause skin cancer. There is evidence that they work best when combined. For example, vitamins C and E work better together than either vitamin alone. Vitamin A is often found in both prescription and over the counter topical ointments.

Retin A is a prescription topical cream that contains vitamin A. a prescription is needed from the dermatologist for this medication. Retin A treats wrinkling caused by aging and sun exposure. It takes between two and six months to see noticeable improvement. Side effects include redness, burning, itching and scaling, which can last for a few months. In addition, it can cause photosensitivity. You should avoid sunlight and wear a sunscreen when outside in the sun. Pregnant women should not use this cream, as it can cause birth defects in the unborn child.

Retinol is a natural form of vitamin A. It is found in over the counter ointments. There are fewer side effects with Retinol than with the stronger Retin A. Using antioxidant creams containing vitamin C or E may increase the benefits of retinol. These are sometimes found combined in one cream, or can be applied separately.

If you want to see results sooner, consider a skin peel. You will see results fast, without having to wait several months for improvement. In the past, peels were only available from a dermatologist or esthetician. There is now a wonderful TCA peel for home use. Estheticians Choice takes just a few minutes to apply and gives fast results. You will notice slight reddening of the skin for a day or so. The skin will then peel, revealing a younger looking complexion. Visit http://www.bestskinpeel.com for information on Estheticians Choice and ordering information.