Habits That Wreak Havoc on Your Skin

When it comes to caring for your skin, using the right products is a step in the right direction. However, it may not be enough if you’ve picked up any of these habits:

Skipping Sunscreen

Overexposure to the sun causes sunburn, premature aging of the skin, wrinkling, and skin cancer, including melanoma. To protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun, apply sunscreen on a daily basis. Use products with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 and apply it generously at least 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply sunscreen every two hours if you’re in the sun for prolonged periods of time and more often if you’re swimming or perspiring.

Smoking

Smoking accelerates the skin ageing process. Deep wrinkles around the eyes and mouth, dull appearance of the skin, loss of tone and elasticity are just some of the havoc it wreaks. It also exposes your skin to cancers, slows the skin’s healing process and makes you prone to infections and scars. Do whatever it takes to quit because it not only impacts your skin, it impacts your overall health.

Skimping on Sleep

Getting less than seven hours of sleep at night can result in dehydrated skin, puffy eyes, dark circles, sallow or ashy complexions, and wrinkles. While you sleep, your skin repairs itself. Production of collagen is boosted, harmful free radicals are destroyed and cell damage is corrected. Beauty sleep is not a myth, so establish a sleep schedule and stick to it.

Overindulging Your Sweet Tooth

Sugary foods over time break down collagen and elastin in the skin, causing sagging, dullness and wrinkles. Sugar can trigger a process known as glycation. Glycation is a natural process in which the sugar in your bloodstream attaches to protein and creates a by-product that damages collagen and elastin. You don’t have to eliminate sugar completely- limit your intake. Sweet treats should be eaten rarely or at least in moderation. Eating foods that are rich in antioxidants can prevent glycation from occurring, so up your daily intake of things such as berries, dark green vegetables and green tea.

Unhealthy habits can cause irreparable damage to your skin so avoid them at all costs. Maintaining great skin involves not only a good skin care regime but a healthy lifestyle as well.