Anti-age your health - Stay Youthful Even in your Old Age

most people want to stay looking youthful and healthy for as long as possible – but achieving a youthful appearance is more than skin deep.

In an ICM poll on health and wellbeing for the Guardian and Oral-B, 30% of women said they were more likely to spendmoney on skincare products than on oral health products (24%).

Good health requires a regime that covers the entire body. Here's how to anti-age your health.

Keep skin firm
"As we age, levels of collagen and other structural proteins in the skin fall, causing the skin to sag with fine lines and wrinkles," says dermatologist Dr Ginny Hubbard. "The signs of ageing can be minimised by avoiding things that are known to speed up the process, such as sunshine, smoking and repetitive facial expressions like frowning."

Skin damage can be avoided by using products containing anti-oxidants, says skin therapist Nataliya Robinson. "For example, natural products such as green tea, sea buckthorn oil, shiitake mushrooms, as well as serums with vitamin C," she adds. "Don't over-exfoliate; it strips the skin of its protective top layers."

Get a good night's sleep
"Sleep isn't just about waking well rested," says Dr Howard Murad, associate clinical professor of medicine at UCLA. "Sleep is one of your body's most productive times for repairing every bodily system."

Millen adds: "A small carbohydrate snack before bed helps prevent blood sugars dropping too low. Bananas often induce sleep because they are a good source of tryptophan, which is calming."

Look after your eyes
"Your eyes are good at staying youthful by themselves," says Harley Street eye specialist Dan Reinstei. "There's little evidence diet or computers dramatically impacts them, but 25-30% of people do have dry eyes, which can cause blepharitis – inflammation of tear ducts. The simplest advice is hot flannel washing daily."

According to consultant optometrist Charles Babumba: "Using a liposomal spray restores the eye's moisture barrier – the lipid layer of the tear film – to soothe the eyes."

Exercise regularly
"Exercise doesn't just help us look younger; research shows that mitochondria – the power plant of our cells – benefits from exercise too," says Susan Dyson, founder of Hiitgirl. "Research is moving away from long, low-level exercise to more high intensity, all-over workouts in short periods. These can provide anyone, male or female, with the ability to combat the ravages of time for our waistlines."

Care for your gums
Gum problems are the main cause of tooth loss, which dramatically changes how youthful you look. "Teeth whitening can be a short-fix beauty solution," says Oral-B Ambassador Dr Uchenna Okoye. "To keep a beautiful smile and improve oral health, you need to keep your gums healthy. I love Oral-B Pro-Expert Premium Gum Protection toothpaste. I view it as a premium foundation for teeth – it takes care of gums and gives outstanding whitening."