Everyone wants to look as young as they feel. And while you need to develop certain habits to ensure this, perhaps even more important are the bad habits that you need to avoid, as they can make your body age significantly faster. Here are a few of these bad habits you need to drop today.
Excessive Alcohol Consumption
If you’re still drinking alcohol excessively, it might be time to stop that. Doing so dehydrates your skin, making it appear dull and dry, meaning that, over time, excessive drinking can cause premature aging and broken capillaries. Worse still, it can cause all sorts of problems in your organs, shortening your actual life, as well as how you look.
Poor Diet
If your diet is lacking in essential nutrients, this can take a toll on your skin. Foods rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals support skin health. Meanwhile, processed foods are generally high in sugar and unhealthy fats, which causes further strain on your skin. Incorporate fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains into your diet, and you’ll be looking younger than ever.
Neglecting Hydration
It’s true what the kids say–staying hydrated really is important, and it’s vital for maintaining skin elasticity and suppleness. Drinking adequate water helps flush out toxins and keeps your skin moisturized, so aim to drink around eight glasses of water daily. Herbal teas and water-rich fruits and vegetables count, too, so don’t let anyone tell you that they don’t.
Skipping Sunscreen
No matter how expensive it gets, you should never skip sunscreen, which protects your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. As Yale Medicine explains, UV exposure also accelerates aging, causing wrinkles and age spots. So, regularly apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30, and don’t forget to reapply every two hours, especially if you’re spending time outdoors.
Overlooking Sleep
You should never underestimate the value of quality sleep when it comes to staying youthful, both in your body and mind. During sleep, your body and brain repair and regenerate cells; skipping sleep disrupts this process, leading to dark circles, puffiness, and a dull complexion. Aim for 7-9 hours of restful sleep each night to help your skin stay vibrant and fresh.
Smoking
There are few things worse for your body than tobacco smoke, which contains countless toxins that damage collagen and elastin, essential proteins for skin elasticity. Smoking also constricts blood vessels, reducing oxygen and nutrient delivery to the skin. So, quitting smoking not only improves your overall health but also helps maintain a smoother, more youthful appearance.
Ignoring Skincare Routine
Perhaps the most important habit to get into if you want youthful skin is to maintain a consistent skincare routine. Cleanse, moisturize, and use products suitable for your skin type, and don’t forget to incorporate anti-aging products with ingredients like retinol and hyaluronic acid. Also, you should regularly exfoliate to remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover to enhance your fresh, youthful glow even further.
Stress
Believe it or not, chronic stress triggers the release of cortisol, which breaks down collagen and accelerates aging. To avoid this, practice stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises. Exercise helps a lot, too, and when all else fails, you need to start eliminating the sources of stress in your life, such as overworking.
Not Wearing Sunglasses
Similar to how sunscreen works, sunglasses are very important for protecting your eyes, but perhaps not in the way that you might think. Squinting in bright sunlight causes wrinkles around your eyes, which is why wearing sunglasses is so important, protecting this delicate area. They will also protect your eyesight from UV damage, which is a crucial bonus.
Heavy Makeup
If you’re still wearing a heavy layer of makeup, it’s probably time to stop doing that. Excess makeup can settle into fine lines and wrinkles, making them more noticeable. Instead, opt for a natural, lightweight makeup look to enhance your features without emphasizing age, and before you know it, you won’t even need any at all.
Harsh Cleansers
It’s never a good idea to use harsh cleansers, as they can strip your skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. Choose gentle, hydrating cleansers that maintain your skin’s moisture balance, and avoid products with alcohol or strong fragrances. Treat your skin with care, and you’ll be able to preserve its youthful appearance.
Excessive Sugar Intake
As we briefly mentioned earlier, high sugar consumption is terrible for your body’s aging processes. It can lead to glycation, a process where sugar molecules damage collagen and elastin, which ultimately results in sagging skin and wrinkles. Reduce your sugar intake by avoiding sugary snacks and beverages, and not only will you look younger, but you’ll feel it, too.
Overexposure to Screens
Most people don’t realize that prolonged screen time exposes your skin to blue light, which can contribute to aging. Blue light penetrates even deeper than UV rays, causing oxidative stress and damage. It may not burn your skin, but the damage is real, so take regular breaks from screens, use blue light filters, and apply antioxidant-rich skincare products.
Lack of Exercise
One of the best ways to avoid looking older than you are is to get regular exercise, which boosts circulation, delivers oxygen and nutrients to your skin, and generally makes you feel good. It also reduces stress and promotes better sleep, both of which benefit your skin, so aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week to support a youthful, healthy complexion.
Skipping Regular Checkups
Sadly, many people skip their regular medical checkups due to anxiety, but trust us–if you’re doing this, you’re only making things more difficult for yourself. Checkups can help detect and address underlying health issues that affect your skin and aging, such as diabetes or thyroid problems. So, keep up with routine exams and follow your doctor’s advice to maintain both your health and youthful look.
Not Moisturizing
So many Americans neglect to moisturize every day, which is careless, as it’s essential for keeping your skin hydrated and plump. Choose a moisturizer suited to your skin type and apply it daily; ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides help retain moisture, so you’ll be thanking yourself later.
Ignoring Neck and Hands
People always neglect their necks and hands when looking after their skin, but they shouldn’t because these areas show aging just as much as your face. Extend your skincare routine to these areas, including sunscreen and moisturizer. Regularly exfoliate and use anti-aging products on your neck and hands to maintain a consistent, youthful appearance.
Poor Posture
Slouching can lead to sagging skin and the appearance of wrinkles, so watch out for that. Good posture not only benefits your overall health but also enhances your appearance. To improve it, practice standing and sitting up straight, and engage in exercises that strengthen your core and back muscles to improve posture. Soon, this will become muscle memory.
Neglecting Mental Health
Sadly, one of the worst contributors to aging is one that most people ignore: their mental health. Having bad mental health significantly impacts your physical appearance through chronic stress, anxiety, and depression, all of which cause premature aging. So, prioritize mental well-being through therapy, mindfulness, and self-care practices, and not only will you look younger, but you’ll feel it as well.