If you’re not happy with the person who’s looking at you in the mirror, what do you do? Do you simply see years of inattention to good skincare, years of poor lifestyle choices, simply the effects of old age or a combination of everything? What are your top five enemies when it comes to sagging skin and dark circles, wrinkles and skin spots?

1. While there are multiple factors to take into consideration whenever you are looking at elements that can have an impact on your skin, one of the main factors is damage caused by the sun. As we know, the sun gives off a tremendous amount of radiation and not all of this is shielded by the planet’s defense mechanisms. Indeed we know that man-made pollution has contributed to the breakdown in the protective layers, so we need to shield our skin as the ideal course of defense. From now on, limit direct exposure to the sun especially during the midday hours. Cancel your membership at the tanning salon.

2. You’re what you eat. If you don’t have a healthy diet your body can’t function as well and won’t be able to remove all the harmful toxins that invade each and every day. When your diet is low in necessary vitamins and minerals it will show in your skin. Low-protein can result in dull complexion, low iron can result in pale complexion and deficiency of certain vitamins can produce dry skin. Don’t underestimate the importance of a good diet when you look at that sagging skin and dark circles in the mirror.

3. When you are thirsty, what do you drink? If it’s a soda drink, or some other beverage that has many different additives, preservatives, coloration and so on then you might not be adequately hydrating your body. Water is the answer and few of us get enough of it. As your body is largely composed of water, why are you surprised if your skin does not have the texture and shine that it used to?

4. Avoid stress as much as possible. If you don’t sleep enough your skin cannot heal as well as it would otherwise. You do not have enough time for the skin cells to be repaired or replaced. Furthermore, when you are stressed on a constant basis the diet and exercise regime may suffer, too.

5. Do you look after your skin, every day and hopefully twice per day? You have to have a good cleansing routine and must always remove makeup before you go to bed. If you do not, your skin won’t be able to breathe correctly. Be careful, but thorough with your good cleansing routine, especially when you are dealing with the area underneath the eyes.

You do not have to lead such a regimented and boring, tedious life in order to look and feel good. Use common sense and make sure that your life choices are in tune with your expectations. It’s breathtaking how, after a few months of “better choices,” you really don’t mind looking at the person in the mirror anymore.