8 Habits that Damage Your Skin
In our day-to-day lives, we unknowingly harm our skin. Read this article to learn about the unhealthy habits that damage your skin health and cause it to lose its glow.
Your skin is the mirror of your health. It's the largest human organ. Many skin products claim to improve your skin condition and treat skin problems. However, a good, healthy skin depends on both the internal and external factors.
Skin care products can be beneficial, but only to a certain extent. The secret to a glowing and healthy skin lies in your daily routine. Your habits majorly affect the quality of your skin. In this article, we will discuss the unhealthy habits that are damaging your skin condition.
1. Not Drinking Enough Water
Water is an essential constituent of our body. The human skin is made up of 64% water. So, a lack of water will adversely affect skin health.
Water deficiency can cause less elastic and looser skin that makes you look older. Water also acts as a detoxifier, which flushes out toxins from the body and keeps the skin glowing.
Dehydration in the body causes aging signs on the skin, such as scars, wrinkles, and fine lines. As we grow older, the body finds it tough to retain water, so more water is needed to keep the skin healthy.
Lack of water in the body can clog skin pores and increase the risk of acne and pimples.
So drink at least 8 glasses of water every day for healthy and glowing skin.
2. Lack of Sleep
Sleep is quite crucial for good skin health. During sleep, the body undergoes repair and produces new cells that are necessary for healthy skin. It is recommended to have 8 hours of sound sleep at night.
During sleep, the production of hormones like somatotropin (growth hormone) and melatonin ( sleep hormone) increases, which aids skin health.
A deep sleep significantly increases the production of collagen, a type of protein present in our skin. High collagen makes skin smooth and elastic.
Lack of sleep causes dry and dull skin, dark circles, puffiness, wrinkles, and premature skin aging.
3. Alcohol
Alcohol not only damages your liver and kidneys, but it is also harmful to your skin. It interferes with your sleep cycle, which can lead to dark circles.
Alcohol slows the release of vasopressin, an anti- diuretic hormone that helps retain water in the body, causing dehydration. Water deficiency causes puffiness, loose, and dull skin.
Heavy drinking increases sun sensitivity, making your skin more prone to damage from sunlight. It also raises the risk of psoriasis.
Stop alcohol consumption or limit it to once a week, and drink plenty of water while drinking to avoid dehydration.
4. Overexposure to the Sun
Moderate sunlight is necessary for the production of Vitamin D in the body. However, high-intensity sunlight damages the collagen ( skin protein), causing wrinkles and loose skin.
Excess sunlight increases melanin production in the skin, resulting in dark spots (hyperpigmentation).
Repeated high exposure to sunlight on the skin causes harm from ultraviolet radiation, which increases the risk of skin cancer.
Individuals with light skin tones are more susceptible to sun damage. Avoid going outside in high sunlight, cover your face, and use sunscreen before stepping out.
5. Unhealthy Diet
A diet high in refined sugar, deep-fried foods, refined flour, and junk foods is harmful to skin health.
For healthy skin, the body requires nutrients such as vitamin E, C, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. An imbalanced diet lacking these nutrients harms the skin quality.
Consume nuts, green veggies, fatty fish like salmon, lean meat, and fruits like oranges and avocados for healthy skin.
6. Smoking
Smoking is detrimental to the overall health of the body, including the skin. Smoking produces an enzyme, metalloproteinase, which damages the collagen protein in the skin, resulting in skin sagging.
Smoking causes microfine wrinkles on the skin, which may not appear immediately, but over time, it contributes to premature skin aging.
Smoking increases free radicals in the body. Free radicals increase the oxidative stress, which restricts blood flow in the skin vessels, causing dull and greyish skin.
Non-smokers in their 60s have better skin condition than smokers in their 40s.
7. Overuse of Cosmetics
Excessive use of cosmetics makes the skin appear older, leading to wrinkles and dull spots.
Several cosmetic products contain chemicals that dry out the natural oils and nutrients in the skin, making the skin lose its moisture and unappealing texture.
Regular use of skin products clogs the pores, due to which the skin doesn't get enough oxygen, causing skin conditions such as acne, blackheads, and pimples.
Skin products with high alcohol content can cause irritation and dry skin.
Some skin products contain harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and parabens, which increase the risk of skin cancer.
Always prefer skin products with natural ingredients and remove the makeup and cosmetics before going to bed.
8. Stress
Stress is one of the major causes of skin issues. Under stress, the body produces the cortisol hormone, also known as the stress hormone.
Cortisol breaks down the collagen ( skin protein), resulting in wrinkles and loose skin. It also triggers more oil production from the skin glands; oily skin is more prone to skin issues, such as acne.
Stress increases the risk of psoriasis and eczema. It exacerbates skin problems and hinders healing.
Avoid stress as much as possible. Meditation and breathing exercises help calm the mind and relieve stress.
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