We all want healthy, glowing skin, right? Well, some of your daily practices may actually be keeping you from having the skin you want. Although they may not seem harmful, over time they are wreaking havoc on your skin. Here are six common habits that can lead to less than desirable skin.
- Not washing your face before bed
Over the course of a day, oil, dirt, and grime build up on your face. Make washing your faceeach night with a gentle cleanser an essential part of your daily routine, especially if you arewearing makeup. We have all been there – after a long night out, it seems so tempting to skipyour nighttime skin care routine, but it is not worth it! - Skipping Daily SPF
We recommend you wear sunscreen, with an SPF of at least 30 or higher, every day, not only toprotect you from skin cancer, but also to protect you against aging your skin and developingwrinkles from sun exposure. There are two types of UV light that harm the skin. UVB rays tendto damage the outer layers of the skin, where the most common forms of skin cancer occur.They are the main cause of sunburn and play a key role in the development of skin cancer. UVArays penetrate deeper into the dermis, aging the skin. Exposure will cause wrinkles and agespots. Slather on the sunblock! - Lack of Sleep
Lack of sleep has commonly been known to affect your physical health, but did you know itcould also impact your skin health? Inadequate sleep can actually accelerate skin aging.Our bodies depend on a good night’s sleep for rest and recovery. Sleep is vital for healthy skinand a lack of sleep weakens the skin’s ability to repair and rejuvenate itself. Without regular,quality sleep, many people begin to notice sagging skin, dark circles and bags around the eyes,and an increase in fine lines. Therefore, it’s important to get at least 7-9 hours of sleep pernight, because that is when the skin renews itself and old cells are replaced with new cells. Get your beauty sleep! - Picking at pimples
We have all been there. We wake with a big white pimple on our face and we want to squeezeit. Popping pimples can lead to scars and infections. Instead of picking at your zits, blackheads,and whiteheads, commit to monthly facials and use acne controlling skin care products witheither benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Resist the urge! - Sugar Consumption
Sugar consumption takes a toll on your skin. Our skin is composed of collagen and elastin. A dietwith a high sugar intake, results in the loss of elasticity of the skin. Sugar breaks down collagen,which contributes to skin wrinkling and sagging. Ditch the candy and opt for a diet rich in fruits and vegetables instead! - SmokingLast, but not least, is smoking. We all know smoking tobacco is linked to cardiovascular disease,cancer, chronic lung disease, and diabetes, but it also leads to premature skin aging. Nicotinereduces blood flow to your skin, which means it doesn’t get enough oxygen and nutrients.Smoking, quite literally suffocates the skin. The chemicals in tobacco damage your skin’scollagen and elastin, not to mention, puckering your lips on a cigarette continuously createsvertical lip lines leaving you with wrinkly and dried lips. Throw away the cigs!
