Everyone wants to age gracefully (when the time comes), but do you have some habits that could actually be quietly accelerating your skin’s aging process? Here is a guide to help you check against lifestyle and some environmental aggressors that could be wrecking your long-term beauty plan instead.
1. NOT APPLYING SUNSCREEN
The truth is, no one likes wearing sunscreen. Physical sunscreens that contain zinc oxide tend to leave a white cast on the skin, whereas some chemical sunscreens can become comedogenic for certain types of skin. Moreover, the effects of sun exposure such as loss of elasticity, wrinkles, pigmentation are usually not immediately apparent (unless you had a big bad sunburn). However, if you knew that up to 80% of the signs of skin aging are due to sun exposure, would you start re-thinking the sunscreen? Yes? We thought so.
2. NOT PROTECTING YOUR SKIN FROM ENVIRONMENTAL FREE RADICALS
These are things you can’t spot with the naked eye like dirt, but it doesn’t mean they are not there. Environmental pollutants contain free radicals that can slowly sap life and radiance out of your skin. To help your skin repair itself daily, try skincare products rich in anti-oxidants, such as astaxantin.
3. NOT EXFOLIATING YOUR SKIN REGULARLY ENOUGH
If you are the foam cleanser then moisturize –only kind of gal, chances are you haven’t been exfoliating. This is the anti-aging secret that you really want to consider, because it is one of the most effective ways to promote skin renewal. Sloughing off dead skin cells not only reveals softer, smoother and more vibrant complexion beneath, it also increases circulation and stimulates cellular renewal. So if you want healthier skin – exfoliate.
4. NOT REMOVING YOUR MAKEUP PROPERLY
This is almost as bad as sleeping with your contact lenses on. Not the same thing, but it can really wreck havoc with your complexion. Makeup that stays on overnight can clog the skin and can breakouts. If you are not cleansing your face properly, here’s how to do it. Use a makeup-remover to dislodge surface debris and then use a cleanser to ensure your skin is free of unwanted grime before you sleep.
5. YOU ARE PRIORITIZING YOUR SKIN VITAMINS WRONGLY
Vitamin C may be the top priority of your skincare regime, while you are not exactly wrong, more and more doctors now believe that Vitamin A is the more potent skin anti-ager. Topical vitamin A creams or serums, known as retinoids are one of the most studied anti-aging vitamins and they are now known to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles because the stimulate production of collagen in the skin. Start off with over-the-counter retinol, these are not as strong and irritating for the skin when you first start, and try applying it on alternate evenings first.