1. Avoiding The Sun
In order to reverse the process of aging or slow it down, Dr. Berg says that "the number one anti-aging mistake that so many people make is avoiding the sun."
We’ve been told and are still constantly being told that we should wear sunscreen every single day, even if there’s no sun outside, and to stay away from the sun. "Human beings have evolved for eons being exposed to the sun, and now we’re supposed to live in the darkness? Why are they telling people to avoid the sun?" The answer to that, Dr. Berg says, is because of ultraviolet radiation (UV). "It basically makes up only 3% of all of the wavelengths. 37% is the visible light spectrum, and then we have nearly 60% infrared,” Berg states. “Infrared is super therapeutic to your body; some people have infrared machines, but you can get infrared for free!"
He notes that you can get infrared from the sun early in the morning and also in the late afternoon. He says there are different kinds of UVUs. "UVA can very easily go through the cloud, so even if it's a cloudy day, it's going through." The fact of the matter is that there are some associations linked between those rays and the aging of your skin. "There’s melanin, which is a pigment that’s a natural sun blocker that’s going to create a tanning effect if you’re in the sun repetitively."
Then there’s UVB. "UVB has everything to do with making vitamin D. What’s really interesting about these sun blockers is that they mainly block out the UVB; they don’t really make them to filter out that UVA," aka the rays that affect aging. "And when your skin gets enough, you’re going to notice the skin’s getting hotter. Basically telling you it’s time to go in the shade," he says. Dr. Berg further says that if you’re going out in the sun and getting burned and you’re doing that on a consistent basis, this will obviously cause you to get sunburned. "Even the UVA radiation has some benefits," because it can increase something called nitric oxide (this increases blood flow and circulation to the skin).
As far as skin cancer goes (melanoma), he says that "we’ve been decreasing the amount of sun exposure for quite some time, but melanoma has been increasing by a factor of 3000%." Yikes!
Another surprising fact is that melanoma skin cancer often occurs on areas that are not even exposed to the sun. This has health experts asking if it’s really the sun causing this cancer or perhaps "lack of vitamin D?" He noted that even if you try to get some sun through the window of your room, it will simply get filtered out. This is why it's important to keep an eye out for your vitamin D levels.
He concluded that "this idea that UV is so bad for your skin is completely not true." However, every individual's needs vary, and it's important to consult with your doctor, as they can provide guidance based on your health history.
2. Moisturizers
We’ve all been told how important moisturizer is in your skincare routine, regardless of how old you are, but not all of them are created equal. "I hope you’re reading the ingredients on these moisturizers because they are filled with tons of chemicals." He notes that many moisturizers do the opposite and start drying out the skin instead of hydrating it. This is likely due to "the alcohol and the mineral oil that pulls out the fat-soluble vitamins from your skin," Berg says.
Basically, when you apply anything onto your skin, it gets absorbed into the bloodstream. Then, it ends up in your liver.
3. Consuming Synthetic Antioxidants
Dr. Berg says these can "create more problems on your skin." Another thing to beware of when consuming things is sugar and junk foods. “It's known to age the skin very fast,” he notes.
4. Overwashing Your Face
While overwashing your face may seem clean and hygienic, it can actually do more harm than good. “Some people think that they have to wash their face with soap every day, and all that detergent is very harsh on the skin. It’s going to age the skin. Mainly because you have a microbiome, or good bacteria, around your skin, and you don’t want to get rid of that.”
5. Chlorine And Tap Water
It's “very harsh on your skin,” says Dr. Berg. He recommends getting a filter on your shower if possible.
6. Antibiotics
“They create some serious problems with your skin,” he reveals. Dr. Berg says that this doesn’t just include the antibiotics you take for your health issues, “I’m talking about other things that act like an antibiotic. Birth control pills and antacids (for acid reflux), steroids, statins.”
So, what can we do to look younger, stimulate collagen, and increase blood flow? Dr. Berg recommends facial exercises, cold plunges (even if it’s just dunking your face in a bowl of ice water), an anti-aging yogurt recipe you can check out in the video above, and exercise.