Do you also do these bad habits that damage your skin? (Habits That Wreck Your Skin)

Everyone wants to have healthy, glowing, and beautiful skin , right? But sometimes the little things we do every day that we don't pay much attention to can cause serious damage to our skin over time. Sometimes, these habits that we don't even think about can cause our skin to age quickly, lose its color, and develop acne. So today, let's talk about what these habits are bad for our skin, and how we can be careful of them.

1. Don't you wash your face before going to bed at night?

It's true that sometimes when you come home from a hard day at work, you don't even have time or energy to wash your face, let alone want to fall into bed. It's very common. But even if you don't see the dirt on your face, the dust, dirt, car fumes, and oiliness that have accumulated throughout the day are still there.

When these are left on the skin overnight, they clog pores and cause breakouts. They are also a major cause of skin inflammation . Over time, this habit can cause the skin to look dull and lifeless.

So what do you do?

The best thing to do, no matter how tired you are, is to wash your face with a gentle, skin-friendly cleanser before going to bed at night. Choose a cleanser that contains glycerin or botanical oils that will keep your skin moisturized without drying it out. Even on the most lazy day, at least wiping your face thoroughly with a facial wipe is much better than doing nothing at all.

2. How does smoking affect the skin?

We all know that smoking is bad for the body. But do you know how much it damages the skin? Simply put, smoking is one of the skin's biggest enemies.

The nicotine in cigarettes constricts the tiny blood vessels that carry blood to the skin. This reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrients that skin cells need. Additionally, the harmful chemicals in tobacco destroy collagen and elastin, two proteins that keep our skin youthful and firm.

In addition, years of pursed lips and squinting to protect your eyes from smoke accelerate the formation of wrinkles in those areas. Although antioxidants like vitamins A and C can help reduce this damage to some extent, the only permanent solution is to quit smoking altogether.

3. The risk of not using sunscreen

Although sun exposure is thought to be good for the skin, the ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight are very harmful to the skin. "UV rays can cause premature aging of the skin and even skin cancers," doctors point out.

The important thing is, this protection is not just needed on a day at the beach. Even on cloudy days, or even on cold days, your skin can still be damaged by the sun. So make it a habit to use sunscreen every time you go outside.

How exactly do you use it?

• Choose a sunscreen with a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher. Broad-spectrum means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
• If you are outdoors for a long time, reapply every 2 hours .
• Apply enough. You only need about a teaspoonful for your face. Don't forget areas like your forehead, sides of your nose, and under your chin .

4. Do you eat too much sugar and not eat fruits and vegetables?

Some studies have found that a diet high in sugar accelerates the aging process of the skin. This includes not only things like sweets and ice cream, but also foods high in starch (refined carbs) like bread, buns, and noodles.

Simply put, the sugar we consume attaches to the collagen proteins in our skin, losing their elasticity and causing the skin to sag and wrinkle more quickly.

A skin-friendly diet is one that includes vegetables, fruits, and whole grains . The antioxidants in fresh fruits and vegetables help prevent and repair skin damage.

5. Do you pick at your pimples whenever you feel like it?

When you have a big pimple on your face, you want to pop it. But that's the biggest mistake you can make. Squeezing a pimple can damage the skin and cause scars . It can also cause bacteria on your hands to get inside and cause infections , making the problem worse.

So what do you do about acne?

Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are two of the most effective treatments for acne, but you need to be careful when using products containing them.

High-concentration creams can dry out your skin, cause redness, and irritation , especially if you have sensitive skin. So, start with a low concentration. For salicylic acid, a 2% concentration is fine for most people. If you experience any discomfort, switch to a lower concentration. The most important thing is to talk to your doctor before starting any treatment to find out what works best for your skin.

6. Do you scrub when your skin is dry and peeling?

Dry, flaky skin is the first sign of dehydration. At this point, we feel like scrubbing away the flakes. While doing so may make the skin feel smoother, what actually happens is that the skin's natural moisture barrier, which keeps the skin hydrated, is weakened.

So, instead of damaging your skin by scrubbing, hydrate it well. Use a fragrance-free lotion or cream. Products containing ingredients like glycerin, dimethicone, petrolatum , and cocoa butter and shea butter absorb quickly into the skin and provide good moisture without leaving a greasy feel.

Skin health, skin-damaging habits, acne, skin care, sunscreen, how smoking affects the skin, healthy skin