How well do you care for your skin? You probably already cleanse your skin daily, protect it from the sun, and moisturize regularly. You might even get weekly facials or use masks, serums, and other treatment products. But some important factors that influence your skin’s health and appearance are less well-known. Here are four ways you could be damaging your skin despite using your best skincare products and routines.
Too Much Sugar
Refined sugar and other simple carbohydrates raise your insulin levels, which produces inflammation throughout your body and generates enzymes that break down collagen and elastin. Digested sugars attach themselves permanently to the collagen in your skin, which results in sagging skin and wrinkles and worsens conditions such as acne and rosacea. You can minimize insulin spikes by skipping the bread basket until after you’ve eaten some protein and by reducing your simple carb consumption overall. You also can include probiotics and digestive enzymes that will optimize your metabolism.
Lack of Exercise
Scientists have long known that exercise helps boost circulation and brings more nutrients to your skin, but recent studies indicate that working out can actually reverse signs of aging in the skin. After first discovering that people over the age of 40 who exercised regularly had skin that closely resembled that of 20- and 30-year-olds, researchers set out to determine what happened to the skin of sedentary older folks who took up regular workouts. Seniors age 65 or older who had normal skin for their age were put on a fairly strenuous regimen of aerobic exercise twice a week for three months. At the end of the test period, the composition of their skin had changed dramatically, with inner and outer layers that resembled those of a person half their age.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air can recirculate dust, dirt, and pollutants from cooking and from the breakdown of chemicals and substances in your home. Research has found that these indoor pollutants can be a source of rashes and irritation. Another issue with indoor air quality is humidity; air that is too dry will rob your skin of moisture. It’s important to maintain your indoor air quality by changing your air filters regularly, adding plants to your home, and opening windows whenever possible.
Not Wearing Sunglasses
The eye area is notoriously thin-skinned and lacks the resilience of the skin on your cheeks or chin. That’s why the eye area is so quick to show signs of age through dark circles, fine lines, wrinkles, crepey skin, and crow’s feet. In addition to protecting your facial skin with sunscreen or a hat, you need to protect your eyes with sunglasses — even during winter. Not only can UV rays damage the delicate skin of your eye area, but also constant squinting will lead to deep creases around the eye area.
Protecting your skin against sun, pollution, and sugar will go a long way toward helping you keep a youthful glow. Add in a little vigorous exercise several times a week, and you could slow down signs of aging dramatically.
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