This blog post has been authored by Stand Out Online Member Abby Mason, Passionate Wellness
Your skin is your largest organ, and taking care of it is essential to keep it looking and feeling its best. But did you know some of your everyday habits may contribute to premature skin aging?
Here are 12 little-known habits that can age your skin prematurely:
Sleeping on your side: When you sleep on your side, your face constantly rubs against the pillowcase. This can cause wrinkles and fine lines to form, especially around the eyes and mouth.
Skipping sunscreen indoors: Even though you may not be spending time in direct sunlight, UV rays can still penetrate through windows and damage your skin. To protect your skin from premature aging, wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher daily, even indoors.
Not washing your face before bed: Leaving dirt, oil, and makeup on your face overnight can clog your pores and lead to breakouts, accelerating the aging process. Make sure to wash your face thoroughly with a gentle cleanser before bed to remove all traces of impurities.
Too much screen time: The blue light emitted from electronic devices can damage your skin cells and contribute to premature aging. Limit your screen time and use a blue light filter on your devices to reduce your exposure to blue light.
Being too rigid with your skincare routine: If you use the same skin care products for years, your skin may become resistant to them. To keep your skin looking its best, switch up your skincare routine every few months and try new products.
Failing to reapply sunscreen: Sunscreen wears off after two hours, so it’s important to reapply it every two hours or more often if you’re sweating or swimming.
Not drinking enough water: When dehydrated, your skin can become dry, dull, and more prone to wrinkles. Aim to drink eight glasses of water daily to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.
Over-using retinol and retinoids: Retinol and retinoids are potent ingredients that can help to improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. However, overuse of them can irritate your skin and cause dryness and redness.
Aggressively washing your face: Washing your face too vigorously can strip away your skin’s natural oils and make it more vulnerable to damage. Use a gentle cleanser and wash your face for no more than 30 seconds.
Forgetting to apply sunscreen on the backs of your hands: The skin on the back of your hands is just as delicate as the skin on your face, so it’s important to protect it from the sun. Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to the backs of your hands daily, even when wearing gloves.
Smoking: Smoking damages your skin cells and accelerates the aging process. If you smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do for your skin and your internal body.
Not protecting your skin from visible light: Visible light, also known as HEV light, can penetrate through the skin and damage collagen and elastin. To protect your skin from visible light, wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and avoid prolonged exposure to harsh lighting.
If you’re concerned about premature skin aging, avoid these 12 habits. Caring for your skin can keep it looking and feeling its best for years.
How to protect your skin from premature aging
In addition to avoiding the 12 habits listed above, there are a few other things you can do to protect your skin from premature aging:
Eat a healthy diet that is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help to protect your skin cells from damage.
Get regular exercise. Exercise helps to improve circulation and deliver oxygen and nutrients to your skin cells.
Get enough sleep. Sleep is essential for skin repair and regeneration.
Manage stress. Stress can contribute to premature aging by increasing inflammation in the body.
Following these tips can keep your skin looking and feeling its best for years.
Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach, Author, and Founder/Formulator of Rain4est Essentials Skin Care®. I specialize in working with highly driven women ages 35-55 on how to have flawless skin from the inside out and outside in for Timeless Aging