You may be surprised that the appearance of your skin isn’t based solely on genetics or expensive invasive and non-invasive procedures. Your daily routine can contribute to the aging of your skin that you may not have realized. By changing some of your habits, you can protect your skin from these common causes of aging.
1. Pollution
Pollution harms more than the environment—it damages your skin too. In 2013, 94 million tons of pollution was released into the air from electricity production, vehicle exhaust, and power plants. Since these pollution particles are tiny, they can enter our pores. The particles destroy our skin’s natural oils and cause collagen to breakdown, causing inflammation, loss of elasticity and firmness, and speeds up the development of wrinkles and dark spots. To combat pollutants in your skin, wash your face every night with a mild cleanser. Finish with a toner to lift off any excess that might have been missed. In the morning, layer on a serum or crème with antioxidants to help your skin repair damage.
Vital Defense Crème is packed with moringa seed extract that neutralizes the damaging effects of pollution.
2. Emotions
Constant worry and stress causes the skin to suffer. Stress impacts the regulation of hormones and chemicals in the body. When cortisol, the stress hormone, increases, it reduces the effectiveness of our body’s immune system. This leads to cell damage including dull skin, wrinkles, and can worsen and become skin conditions like acne, psoriasis or rosacea. The most common trigger of stress is lack of sleep. A full night’s sleep also helps our cells regenerate, so make sure to get the recommended eight hours each night, without any distractions like TV or cell phones.
3. Sun Exposure
Exposure to sunlight accounts for 90 percent of skin aging. Even small amounts of exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVA and UVB) trigger the aging process. While UVB is most intense midday during the summer months, UVA penetrates the skin more deeply and it is prominent all year long. These rays damage collagen fibers and elastin, a protein in the skin, which diminishes the skin’s strength. This causes wrinkles and dark spots. Prevent UV exposure by applying a moisturizer with SPF 15 or higher daily.
4. Smoking
The more you smoke, the faster you age your skin. The nicotine in cigarettes shrinks the blood vessels in the outermost layers of your skin, which prevents blood flow. This causes of lack of oxygen and vitamins delivered to the skin, which help maintain its smooth appearance. The other 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke break down collagen and elastin, causing your skin to sag and wrinkle.
5. Alcohol
Your cocktail may be causing more than just a headache the next morning. Alcohol damages the liver, which helps detoxify your body. When the liver is impaired it can’t rid your body of toxins that are damaging to your skin. Alcohol also dehydrates the skin, making it pale and less plump. Monitor how much alcohol you consume, and avoid drinks with added sugar from fruit juices or soda. Clear alcohols contain less congeners, chemical substances that cause hangovers and contribute to dull skin. Beer contains less alcohol than hard liquor, so in moderation, beer is a better choice for the skin conscious. Red wine is your safest bet since it does contain antioxidants which may counteract some aging, however, alcohol in excess contributes to the aging process more than it protects against it, so be mindful of how much you drink.