If you want to keep your skin healthy, take a look at this list of things that most of us do on a regular basis without realizing they can cause damage to our skin.
1. Swimming in the pool.
Swimming is a good exercise but it can be damaging to the skin (and hair). Doing laps in the pool means exposing your skin to chlorinated water which strip your skin of moisturize and protection. Keep your time in the pool as short as possible and always give yourself a thorough rinse after.
2. Sleeping on one side.
Dermatologists say that sleeping on your side can cause wrinkles and creasing in the skin. Alternate which side you sleep on or if possible, sleep on your back.
3. Eating sweets.
Sugar triggers hormonal changes which can cause damage to your skin’s elastin fibers and collagen production.
4. Smoking.
Smoking can cause many health problems – we all know this – but what you probably didn’t know is that it can cause premature aging of your skin. Uneven skin tone, loose / sagging skin and wrinkles are common effects of smoking.
5. Sleeping with makeup on.
If you fall asleep without washing your face and removing makeup, you can end up with damaged skin. Makeup trap free radicals and environmental pollutants, as well as clog up pores, make the skin dry and irritate the eyes.
6. Taking a long hot shower daily.
Hot water causes flaking, itching and dryness in the skin. Try to keep the setting of your water heater as low as possible, and apply a moisturizer after taking a shower.
7. Squinting.
If you spend a lot of time on your computer and you’re not wearing the appropriate eyeglasses, you’ll end up squinting a lot, and this can cause wrinkles.
8. Frequent exfoliation.
When you exfoliate your skin too frequently or excessively, it can lead to significant damage. Apply gentle pressure when using exfoliants like a sugar or coffee scrub. If you’re using a chemical exfoliant in the form of a cleanser or toner, use the mildest ones you can find, and as infrequently as possible.
9. Not wearing sunscreen on a plane.
Sitting near the plane’s window can be damaging to the skin. You’re much closer to the ozone layer so that means there’s a more potent level of UVA radiation. Be sure to wear sunscreen and lots of it when you’re riding a plane.
Applying Sunscreen
Sunscreens are very effective but only if you use them correctly. Here are the guidelines to keep in mind:
- Apply sunscreen on your face and body at least 20 minutes before heading out if you’re going to be out for half an hour or longer.
- Reapply every 2 hours even if it shows 24-hour protection on the label.
- Apply it all over particularly your face, ears, back of your hands, lips, etc.
- Apply generously and smooth it on instead of rubbing it on your skin.
- Sunscreen should be applied under makeup.
- If you’re going to the beach, apply sunscreen before you get there. Even if you go to a tanning salon like Palm Beach Tan it may also be a good idea to apply sunscreen.
Here’s how to correctly apply sunscreen: