Beauty

The Secret to Ageless Beauty: 7 Habits of Women from the Country with the World’s Slowest Aging Skin

A recent survey has revealed that women in Copenhagen age at a slower rate than their European counterparts. But what is it about their health and skincare routines that defies the aging process and maintains their youthful appearance?

Administrator

2 December, 2024

According to a recent survey conducted by a renowned British skincare and beauty brand, residents of Copenhagen, Denmark, exhibit the slowest skin aging rate compared to all other Europeans. On the other hand, Barcelona’s residents have the fastest skin aging rate in Europe. This data once again reflects the fact that lifestyle influences skin aging.

Compared to Barcelona, Copenhagen boasts a higher quality of life, less environmental pollution, and a lower average of direct sunlight hours. Notably, Danish women embrace seven healthy living habits. Let’s explore their anti-aging secrets.

1. Hygge Lifestyle

In Danish, the word “Hygge” means creating a sense of comfort and coziness, and it also represents a unique philosophy in Danish culture. Meik Wiking, the founder of the Happiness Research Institute in Denmark, states that the concept of “Hygge” is deeply ingrained in their culture.

It is extremely important for Danes to find happiness in the little things in daily life and feel secure in their homes. To them, home is not just a place to recharge and relax but also the center of social life. Understanding the impact of the environment on mood, many Danish families prioritize creating soft lighting and a comfortable atmosphere, such as lighting candles during dinner and engaging in conversations.

Creating a comfortable and cozy living space helps relax the mind, which is crucial in anti-aging.

A stress-free and comfortable life can influence anti-aging. Stress tires the body, increases cortisol levels, weakens the skin’s natural protective barrier, and impairs immunity, allowing bacteria to invade and cause acne and inflammation, indirectly accelerating skin aging. Conversely, living happily and comfortably can slow down the aging process.

2. Detox with Sauna

In Nordic countries, sauna and cold water bathing are deep-rooted cultural traditions. This is not only beneficial for the body but also explains why Danish women’s skin doesn’t age easily. Nutrition and aging expert Beatriz Larrea explains that when toxin levels are high in our bodies, it’s one of the reasons our organisms accelerate the aging process. She also mentions that one way to address this issue is to spend a few minutes in a sauna each week to detox.

In Denmark, sauna is a way of life for adults. In 2023, Denmark developed public sauna facilities, and Danish women use the sauna to detox at least once a month, which has become the key to their skin health.

Sauna helps detoxify the body and slow down the aging process.

3. Excellent Exercise Routine

Copenhagen is one of the most bike-friendly cities in Europe, boasting beautiful paths and a safe infrastructure. Additionally, Denmark is a city with more bicycles than cars, which also indirectly influences the Danes’ skin aging rate.

By commuting by bike daily, Danish women inadvertently increase their cardiovascular and respiratory exercise time, helping to reduce their biological age. This is also a type of non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT), referring to performing daily activities that can burn calories without intentional exercise.

The daily habit of cycling helps Danish women maintain a slim figure and combat aging.

4. Smart Dietary Choices

The most notable characteristic of Danish culinary culture is the abundant consumption of fish, fruits (especially berries), vegetables, healthy oils, whole grains, and oatmeal. These dietary habits are closely linked to the skin health of Danish women.

Additionally, Danes are very mindful when purchasing ingredients. They prioritize seasonal produce and stock up on homemade pickled beets, roasted peppers, sauerkraut, and blackberry jam. Eating seasonally reduces the intake of chemicals, avoiding negative impacts on health and skin.

Consuming clean and healthy food provides ample nutrition for the skin.

5. Makeup for Comfort, Not Just Beauty

Danes have a very relaxed attitude towards beauty. If you feel comfortable, you’ll feel empowered. And when you’re comfortable, your appearance will look natural. This is why Danish women not only use skincare products when applying makeup but also focus on simplicity and effectiveness. They only wear enough makeup to look beautiful and comfortable, instead of using heavy foundation or bold colors. By minimizing makeup, their skin has less exposure to chemicals, resulting in healthier and less wrinkled skin.

Danish women wear minimal and light makeup to reduce the burden on their skin.

6. Spending More Time in Nature

If we observe the habits of Danish women, especially those in Copenhagen, we’ll find that their slower skin aging process is also related to their exposure to nature. With more green spaces in their living environment, their skin has less contact with pollutants.

Many experts in health and longevity also recommend spending at least two hours in the sunlight daily to help regulate the body’s biological clock. Although the weather in Denmark is often rainy, Danish women make the most of the sunshine and plan outdoor picnics and other nature-immersive activities.

Skin benefits from living in a green, less polluted environment.

7. Pioneers in Minimalist Skincare

When it comes to skincare, Danish women are pioneers in embracing the philosophy of minimalist skincare, believing that less is more. This also means they pay special attention to four key aspects: cleansing, vitamin supplementation (such as vitamin C or E), SPF, and moisturizing. One of the Danish women’s skincare secrets is using facial oil as a protective barrier at the end of their skincare routine to combat dehydration due to low temperatures.