Most of us are aware about the basic things that can cause skin damage; exposure to the harmful UV rays, excessive smoking and alcohol, drinking less water are some of them. Though we know nobody can stay young and have smooth looking skin forever, there are ways to curb the effects of external factors on your skin. If you take certain precautions you can definitely control these factors and maintain a smooth and younger looking skin.
To make matters simple, here is a list of the 8 beauty mistakes that cause your skin to age prematurely and how they can be controlled.
1. Yo-Yo Dieting
Losing weight may sound like the ideal thing to happen to you but losing facial fat has a downside too. If you lose facial fat you appear gaunt and your skin starts sagging making you look older than your actual age. Yo-Yo dieting is responsible for losing skin elasticity due to rapid weight loss and gain. Loose skin is more prone to wrinkles. The best solution for the same is to consume a balanced diet that is rich in foods that fight skin inflammation and prevents premature aging. Foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, Citrus foods that are rich in Vitamin C and foods rich in lycopene that fight sun damage should be consumed regularly.
2. Not getting enough sleep
Getting at least 8 hours of sleep is absolutely essential for your skin. You skin repairs and renews itself when you sleep, so if you don’t get enough sleep, your skin will not get enough time for its daily wear n tear. It becomes prone to under eye circles and puffy skin, which gives you a tired and haggard look. The best solution is to make it a point to sleep for minimum 8 hours. To make your bedroom conducive to sleeping switch off the lights; avoid TV or internet around bedtime and keep your mind free of any thoughts.
3. Using a straw for drinking
Yes, it may sound strange but the pursing of lips leads wrinkles and fine lines around the mouth. When you sip any drink using a straw the skin around your mouth gets contracted and becomes prone to fine lines. The best option is to ditch the straw and drink directly from the glass or bottle to avoid skin wrinkles around the mouth
4. Sleeping on your side
Though it is a comfortable position, sleeping on your stomach or sides with your face smushed in the pillow can be a severe cause for skin wrinkles. When your skin is pressed against the pillow, it breaks your skin elasticity and causes wrinkles. The best solution is to make an attempt to sleep on your back.
5. Stress
It is a well known fact that stressing about things all the time is harmful for your mental and physical well-being. It also aids premature aging as the hormones released when you stress excessively breaks your skin down and makes it sagging and prone to wrinkles. In times of stress, the important organs of your body use up more oxygen leaving your skin low on oxygen which leads to dry skin and fine lines. The best solution is to avoid being stress free by practicing yoga, joining an activity class, spending time with your loved ones or whatever helps you stay calm.
6. The wrong kind of Sunscreen
Yes, you heard it right. Most of the times we use sunscreen that fights UV rays; however, it is essential to use a sunscreen that fights UVA as well as UVB. Usually most sunscreens have UVB but lack of UVA can cause sun damage that leads to premature aging and patchy skin. The best solution is to read the labels when you buy sunscreen and invest in a sunscreen that protects from UVA and UVB.
7. Ditching Sunglasses
We tend to frown when we get out in the sun and constant frowning leads to wrinkles and fine lines. If you wear sunglasses, you wouldn’t have to frown due to the glare of the sun and also it naturally protects your eyes and the surrounding areas from the harmful UV rays. The best solution is wearing appropriate and good quality sunglasses whenever you step outside the house in the sun.
8. Washing your face with soap
We all know that soap makes your skin dry and strips off the essential oils from the skin. Dry skin is easily prone to wrinkles and fine lines and loses its elasticity sooner. The best solution is to use soap free mild cleansers for your skin and applying moisturizer after washing your face.
If you avoid making these beauty blunders, you will help your skin stay younger and smoother for a long time; maybe longer than Mother Nature decided.
Author Bio :
Nelson Homes is a blogger for Hall and Wrye . For more information visit http://www.hallandwrye.