Introduction
Having healthy skin is important for both your physical and mental health. Unfortunately, many of us have bad habits that can damage our skin. From eating unhealthy foods to not getting enough sleep, these habits can lead to wrinkles, acne, and other skin problems. In this article, we’ll discuss the worst habits damaging your skin and provide tips on how to break them. We’ll also provide some “eat this, not that” advice to help you make healthier food choices. With a few simple changes, you can have healthier, more beautiful skin.
The Worst Habits Damaging Your Skin — Eat This Not That
Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and it’s important to take care of it. Unfortunately, there are some habits that can damage your skin and cause premature aging, wrinkles, and other skin problems. Here are some of the worst habits that can damage your skin and what you should do instead.
Smoking
Smoking is one of the worst habits for your skin. It can cause premature aging, wrinkles, and discoloration. Smoking also reduces the amount of oxygen that your skin cells receive, which can lead to dull, dry skin. Instead of smoking, try to find healthier ways to cope with stress, such as exercise, yoga, or meditation.
Drinking Too Much Alcohol
Drinking too much alcohol can dehydrate your skin and cause wrinkles. Alcohol also reduces the amount of vitamin A in your body, which is essential for healthy skin. Instead of drinking alcohol, try to drink more water and eat foods that are rich in vitamin A, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach.
Not Wearing Sunscreen
Not wearing sunscreen is one of the worst habits for your skin. Sun exposure can cause premature aging, wrinkles, and even skin cancer. Make sure to wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day, even when it’s cloudy. Also, try to limit your time in the sun, especially during the peak hours of 10am to 4pm.
Not Washing Your Face
Not washing your face can lead to clogged pores, acne, and other skin problems. Make sure to wash your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser. Also, use a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and protected from the elements.
Eating Too Much Sugar
Eating too much sugar can cause inflammation in your body, which can lead to wrinkles and other skin problems. Try to limit your sugar intake and focus on eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, make sure to drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated.
Not Getting Enough Sleep
Not getting enough sleep can cause dark circles under your eyes and make your skin look dull and tired. Make sure to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep every night. Also, try to limit your caffeine intake and avoid looking at screens before bed.
Conclusion
These are some of the worst habits that can damage your skin. Make sure to avoid these habits and focus on eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, and getting enough sleep. Also, make sure to wear sunscreen and wash your face every day to keep your skin looking healthy and youthful.
Dr. Joshua Zeichner is an associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. As a skin care expert, Dr. Zeichner understands the importance of good skin health and avoiding bad habits that can interfere with skin cell functioning. The activities we partake in on a daily basis can impact your overall health of the skin and either help or harm our skin barrier. Read on to find out more—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
We know that UV light exposure is the single biggest contributing factor to both skin aging and skin cancer. Wearing sunscreen on a daily basis is your first line of defense. Choose a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 protection and make it a part of your morning skin care routine like brushing your teeth.
Acne is the most common skin disorder that people suffer from in the United States, affecting over 50 million Americans. Picking the skin inevitably leads to more harm than good. Instead of picking, get to the root of the problem by using acne treatments over-the-counter that contain ingredients like benzyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Treat the whole face to prevent pimples from developing rather than trying to treat them after you already have them.
If you have hives on your skin, one of the worst habits is to scratch them as that will only irritate your skin more. Two ways to treat hive are covering the affected area with a cold washcloth or rubbing an ice cube over it for a few minutes can provide short-term relief and prevent scratching or using an effective treatment like Allegra Hives, a new product from Allegra that works from the inside to relieve itching due to hives & reduces hives for 24 hours without drowsiness.
Cleansing is the foundation of your skin care routine. It helps remove dirt, oil, make up, and pollution that buildup on the surface of your skin. If you don’t wash your face, you leave this on the skin which can cause irritation, inflammation, acne breakouts, and even contribute to premature aging.
While a hot shower may be relaxing for our minds, it actually can strip the skin of essential oils and disrupt the skin barrier. Showers should be short, 10 minutes or less with lukewarm water. The temperature of the shower should be around what you’d expect a heated pool to be in the summertime. After getting out of the shower, pat dry and apply a moisturizer to lock in hydration. And to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.
Dr. Joshua Zeichner