Many of us don’t want to look older than we are, and most of the time, our skin and its condition will make us look much older. Here are a few habits that may prematurely age your skin.
Smoking/Drinking
Smoking and drinking are both very common causes of premature aging. Not only does smoking cause and accentuate fine lines, but smoking also causes your skin to lose elasticity, and therefore, lines, eye bags, etc, are made worse. If you don’t want to give up nicotine, investigating nicotine prescriptions would be a great idea.
Drinking too much dehydrates your body and skin, and dehydrated skin loses elasticity, lines are accentuated, and your skin doesn’t “bounce back” the same way it would if you weren’t drinking.
Constantly Rubbing Your Face
While rubbing your eyes when you’re tired is relatively common, studies have shown that doing it regularly can cause persistent inflammation and worsen undereye bags, which is an invertibility.
While it is, most of the time, a subconscious act, it is best to become more aware of when you do it. If you find yourself doing it very often, applying an ice mask a few times a week can help stop the inflammation and subsequent damage.
Not Getting Enough Sleep
Sleeping is the time when you can relax and destress, but it is also the time when your skin has the best chance to renew and rejuvenate itself. Therefore, not getting enough sleep will mean your skin doesn’t have enough time to do these processes.
It is essential to have a sleep schedule and take steps to improve your sleep so that you sleep for longer and get better quality sleep.
Too Much Sun
Sun, specifically UV rays, are among the most common causes of premature aging. The sun and UV rays can cause sun damage, dry your skin, and change its tone. Wearing sunscreen daily is the best option to prevent this.
Considering you should wear moisturizer every day, choosing one with a high SPF level will give you the best of both worlds.
A Rigid Skincare Routine
While a skincare routine is important, one that is too rigid can actually be detrimental to your skin. For example, in the Winter, you will tend to use more moisturizer to combat skin dryness, but in the Summer, when you sweat more, too much moisturizer can cause breakouts.
Instead, mold your skincare routine around your skin’s needs. Use moisturizer when it is dry, exfoliate if your skin becomes too oily, etc. Remembering to change and adapt your routine as the weather and seasons change will be excellent for your skin.
Using Soap
This is a simple tip and cause, but regular soap dries out your skin and can worsen lines and wrinkles. Don’t use soap to wash your face; instead, use a high-quality face wash when you shower or bathe.
If soap is your only option because of allergies or another reason, look for one with a high moisture content or at least one made for super-sensitive skin.
Overusing Retinol
While retinol can drastically improve your skin, it can also damage it if you overuse it. Overusing retinol can cause redness, dryness, and scaling, making your skin appear much older instead of giving it a more youthful look.
If your skin isn’t reacting the best to retinol, use it less often, or mix it with a strong moisturizer to ensure you get the same benefits, but without the damage associated with overuse,
Unhealthy Diet
An unhealthy diet can also cause serious skin damage and aging. Too much sugar, fat, processed food, etc, doesn’t give your skin the nutrients and minerals it needs to stay in good condition.
Instead, add more whole foods to your diet, and cut out the junk. While you don’t have to have the healthiest diet, adding more healthy foods will only benefit your skin.
Not Getting Enough Water
Water is one of the best things to consume for great, glowing skin. Considering moisture is one of the most important ingredients your skin needs, you can’t rely on moisturizer to provide all of it.
The barrier that protects your skin requires moisture to work at its best, and drinking a few bottles of water a day will give it all the moisture it needs. Drinking enough water is also necessary if you are allergic or have adverse reactions to moisturizers.
Not Visiting the Dermatologist
Finally, no matter what condition your skin is in, it is always important to visit the dermatologist on a regular basis. It can sometimes not be enough to self-diagnose a skin problem or a solution; sometimes, you need professional insight.
A dermatologist will also be able to provide prescribed skincare solutions, which are often more potent than ones you can find in stores. This can be a necessity if you have skin or skin problems that require serious treatment over an extended period.