Good skin is essential in any age whether you are in your teens or already in the elderly group. Thus, a good skin care routine is a necessary habit for everyone. In fact, it should start early in life because this will help slow down the aging process. However, did you know that there are little things that are damaging your skin? If they turn into habits, they can ultimately ruin your skin.
1.Sleeping with Makeup On
Sleeping with makeup on is a big no-no. Makeup, if left overnight can wreak havoc to your skin because it traps dead skin cells. Not only does it trap dirt and pollutants accumulated all through the day, It also helps gather bacteria overnight. This results in clogged pores, pimples, increased free radicals and collagen degradation.
2.Popping Pimples
How many times have you popped a pimple? Did you know that dermatologists are against popping pimples? That’s because it can lead to more problems like infection and scarring. It’s tempting especially if the pimples, white heads or blackheads are quite visible and are bothering you. However before you do it, remember that the act itself might push the bacteria even deeper into your skin causing more swelling and redness. Worse, it can even lead to permanent scars.
3. Drinking Not Enough Water
Water is needed not just for a healthy body but also for a clear and vitalized skin. Drinking water keeps your body hydrated. It also helps maintain the youthful glow of the skin because the more hydrated you are, the fewer the wrinkles and fine lines will be. Drinking not enough water can make the skin dry and flaky. It also makes it more prone to aging.
4.Getting Hair Care Products on Your Face
Did you know that hair care products such as shampoo, conditioners and styling products can lead to skin breakouts? The oils and all other heavy ingredients may trigger acne. The same is true with other products like coconut oil., shea butter, petroleum jelly , mineral oil, jojoba oil and many others. To avoid this from happening, when you are taking a shower, make sure to wash your face last. in this way you can wash off all hair care products residue. Be careful also when applying products to make sure they do not go to your face.
5.Not Getting Enough Sleep
Like drinking water, getting enough sleep is also crucial not just to a healthy body but also to a vibrant looking skin. A study published in the Clinical and Experimental Dermatology showed that people who sleep at least seven to nine hours of sleep per day have moisturized skin that has the ability to protect and to heal itself from harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. In addition, getting enough sleep can also lead to reducing wrinkles and age spots.
6.Using Dirty Pillowcases
How often do you change your pillowcases? Did you know that the oil, dead skin cells and sweat from your skin, the dirt from your hair and even your saliva gets absorbed by your pillowcases? Dirt, dust mites and allergens from the air and the surrounding environment also settle in your pillow cases. That is why, it is highly recommended that pillow cases be changed at least once a week.
7. Smoking
Aside from cancer, lung and heart disease; smoking can also cause premature aging. The chemicals found in cigarettes and tobacco destroy collagen and elastin, two key proteins responsible for warding off wrinkles and fine lines. They give your skin strength and elasticity.
8.Eating Too Much Sugar
Just like cigarettes, consuming too much sugar can destroy collagen and elastin in the body. Excess sugar in the body causes glycation. Glycation is the attachment of sugar to protein or lipid which ultimately destroys the protein molecules. Since collagen and elastin are both proteins, high sugar diets lead to skin aging.
9.Drinking Too Much Alcohol
Alcohol can cause dehydration because alcohol is a natural diuretic. Diuretic means it promotes the removal of excess water and salt in the body. As mentioned above, hydration is necessary for a healthy looking skin.
10.Staying Too Much Inside Air Conditioning
Too much air conditioning can lead to dry skin. The air conditioning strips the air of humidity. It also removes moisture from your skin leading to fine lines and wrinkles.