We all worry from time to time about the health of our skin. As we get a little older the thoughts of aging, and looking like it, creep in. There are a lot of ways to improve skin health and reduce the risk of wrinkles without expensive procedures or products. What’s interesting is that among the following natural steps one can take to benefit overall skin health some are obvious while others may surprise you:

1. Wearing sunscreen

This may seem pretty clear and obvious as an important part of your long-term skincare routine. What’s important, though, is consistent diligence in the use of sunscreen. Most people will wear it for their summer trip to the beach, but what about while standing outside for two hours at your kid’s soccer game? The sun’s harmful rays are ever-present so sunscreen applied daily, either stand-alone or as part of a moisturizer is important.

2. Limit sugar intake

Limiting your sugar is good advice for many reasons, but the condition of your skin is one that surprises most. It gets a bit technical, but skin health can be affected by a process called glycation, and it is cumulative so continuous sugar intake compounds the process. Glycation causes a molecular process that damages elasticity (firmness) in skin and leads to sagging and wrinkles.

3. Quit smoking

Much like with sugar some of the advice here seems self-evident. Smoking will cause premature aging and wrinkling in skin. This is due to nicotine restricting blood vessels and impairing blood flow to the organs (of which the skin is the largest). Decreased blood supply causes damage to the skin that manifests in an aged, wrinkled appearance.

4. Use coconut oil

Coconut oil absorbs easily into the skin and is a wonderful source of hydration. It can form a bit of a protective shield from irritants you may encounter and can soothe sensitive skin and redness. It has a nice fragrance and if used regularly can actually reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

5. Take beta carotene supplements

Using beta carotene supplements (think carrots) is an excellent source of vitamin A, which acts as an antioxidant. This natural antioxidant protects the skin from impacts of environmental factors, such as UV light exposure and pollutants. The result is beta carotene works to prevent premature aging of the skin as well as working to treat conditions like dry skin.

6. Wash and moisturize your face every night before bed

It’s important that every night you reset your face’s skin by washing away any makeup or pollutants you’ve been exposed to throughout the day. After cleansing apply a moisturizer to allow your skin to hydrate and repair from wear and tear of day-to-day activity. Healthy skin maintains moisture and glow, which when part of a regimen will stave off an aging look.