11 skincare mistakes that may cause premature aging

11 skincare mistakes that may cause premature aging

Everyone wants to achieve flawless, glowing skin. With so much information on skincare floating around in magazines, old lore, and online, it can be difficult to determine what’s genuine. While some tips may help you improve your skin texture and reduce signs of aging, others may end up causing damage and making you appear older than you are. So, avoid making these 11 skincare mistakes as they can lead to premature aging.

Over-cleansing your face
Although washing the face is an important part of your daily routine, doing it too often can strip your face of essential oils and dehydrate it. Further, this could rupture the lipid barrier and make the skin more susceptible to infections. For optimal results, it is advisable to wash your face two times a day using a gentle cleanser and following this up with a quality moisturizer.

Not drinking enough water
Staying hydrated is an important aspect of making your skin appear soft, supple, and healthy. Dehydration can cause the skin to lose its elasticity, making wrinkles appear sooner. So, aim to drink at least 6-8 glasses of water daily to maintain skin as well as overall health.

Not using sunscreen
The sun rays are one of the most powerful sources of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Over time, constant exposure to the sun can affect the skin and the underlying connecting tissues, causing wrinkles, pigmentation changes such as age spots, liver spots, freckles, decreased elasticity, rough and uneven skin texture, broken capillaries around the nose and the chest, and redness or blotchiness. To avoid these, it is important to wear sunscreen every day (even in the colder months). Use a mineral sunscreen or a sun-blocking cream and remember to reapply it every two hours to avoid sun damage to your skin.

Touching up your makeup during the day
As you touch up makeup, you may be pushing pollutants deeper into the skin’s surface, which can cause blemishes, scarring, and acne. If you wear makeup regularly, invest in a quality setting spray so you don’t need to keep touching it up during the day. Alternatively, look for options that do not melt in the heat or use a mattifying formula that can be worn throughout the day.

Skipping the face wash
Regardless of whether you wear makeup during the day or not, it is important to wash your face every night. This helps you get rid of any built-up toxins or pollutants that may have found their way into your skin during the day in the form of free radicals. These particles can disrupt collagen and elastin production, leading to fine lines and premature aging.

Similarly, it is also important to wash your face in the morning. As you sleep, the skin works to repair barriers and restore itself from any impurities from the previous day. Skipping the morning face wash can cause build-up of these remnants and cause wrinkles.

Eating too much sugar
Too much sugar can also wreak havoc on your skin. Sugar is commonly found in most beverages and sweet treats but it is also added to packaged foods such as soups, breads, and sauces. High levels of sugar intake can block the enzymes that produce collagen and elastin. While indulging your sweet tooth once in a while will not cause much damage, a regular high intake of sugar can cause premature fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. So, limit your daily sugar intake to 30 grams or less.

Not getting enough beauty sleep
Getting adequate rest is important for the body to function optimally. Cutting into your sleep hours could result in increased stress hormones, a dull complexion, breakouts, and dehydrated skin. According to research, chronic stress could also shorten the length of the DNA strands, thus speeding up the aging process on a cellular level. Make it an aim to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night to keep your skin looking fresh and youthful.

Ignoring your neck and décolletage
When you wash your face, you may often end up skipping the neck and décolletage area (the skin just below the neck). Since these parts of the skin are exposed to similar external factors like the face, it is important to include them in your skincare routine. Ignoring them could cause the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and make your skin appear older than it is.

Switching your skincare routine frequently
If you’ve been experimenting with tons of different products too often, maybe it’s time to stop. The skin has a 30-day-long natural cycle. For a new product to begin to show its effects, it takes at least six weeks. Moreover, anti-aging products can take up to four months to have visible effects on your collagen and elastin cycles, so, it is best to avoid changing your skincare routine.

Skipping the toner
Several people believe that toners can dry out their skin. Well, that’s not necessarily true. Quality toners contain gentle exfoliants that will help keep your skin looking and feeling clean, restore its pH balance, and provide hydration. Invest in a good-quality toner and use it daily before applying your moisturizer and SPF.

Being glued to your phone
Smartphones are used for almost all daily tasks; however, when using them, it is important to be mindful of the position of your body. As you incline your head to use a cell phone, the skin just under the face tends to fold over itself, leading to the “turkey neck”, and giving it an untoned appearance. Over time, this can cause the formation of deep wrinkles in this area. Additionally, cell phones emit blue rays and significantly increase your UV exposure, making way for fine lines and wrinkles. Thus, using UV-protection eyewear and sunscreen when indoors can help. Those who lead a lifestyle that relies heavily on technology can also opt for specialist products targeted for tech exposure.

Make your skin youthful, hydrated, and healthy-looking by taking care of it and avoiding these skincare mistakes that lead to premature aging.

Popular Reads

8 early arthritis signs one should not ignore

8 early arthritis signs one should not ignore

Living with arthritis can be a deeply uncomfortable experience. This is due to its myriad list of symptoms. Although there is no permanent cure for arthritis, healthcare professionals can work on a treatment plan for people to reduce pain and inflammation and improve their quality of life. To achieve those objectives, such professionals need to detect the earliest signs and symptoms of the condition. Here are some of the most common early arthritis signs: Morning stiffness Most people feel stiff in the morning when they wake up. This tightness is caused due to the overnight changing of lubrication in the joints and fascia. Another cause for morning stiffness is that the body’s natural Ibuprofen has not kicked in yet. However, this stiffness tends to go away when one moves and stretches out a little. Morning exercises are a great way to release this morning stiffness. In the case of arthritis, this stiffness and tightness simply do not go away. This happens because of the inherently deep nature of arthritis symptoms. Therefore, if an individual experiences stiffness for 30 to 45 minutes after waking up, it may be a sign of arthritis and should be checked by a medical professional. In fact, the stiffness does not occur only in the morning but also after one rests for a long time and then gets up from a comfortable position. This happens because the synovial fluid, a thick liquid found between one’s joints that reduces friction and joint damage, in one’s body becomes more gelatinous after a long period of inactivity. This is something that is caused by arthritis. Fatigue Arthritis has many subtypes, one of the most commonly found ones being rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition that causes widespread inflammation within the bones and joints in people. One of the common symptoms of this kind of arthritis is perpetual fatigue.
Poor blood circulation – Common signs and management tips

Poor blood circulation – Common signs and management tips

Blood circulation is one of the most important functions in the body, as vital organs depend on oxygen and nutrients supplied by the red blood cells to survive and function. However, certain factors like poor nutrition, underlying health issues, and unhealthy daily habits can reduce blood flow and disrupt circulation. So, here are a few common signs of poor blood circulation and useful tips for managing and overcoming the problem: Signs of poor blood circulation Visible swelling One of the first and most evident signs of poor blood circulation is swelling. Also referred to as edema, this swelling develops in the legs, feet, and ankles. Edema develops when the blood pools in one place instead of moving along the arteries and veins. Pooling causes the area to bulge. Edema is often noticeable along the extremities of the body. Due to the swelling, the skin around the affected area becomes taut and warm. Additionally, one might experience a sensation of heaviness and stiffness around the joints when affected by poor circulation. Numbness and tingling Blood circulation is a continuous process, with the heart pumping blood to reach all extremities of the body. So, any obstruction here can restrict the circulation resulting in a familiar tingling or sensation of numbness. Often, one experiences these sensations in the extremities of the hands and feet. The sensation may persist or flare up for short periods of time as the blood moves along veins and arteries. Many people compare this sensation to that of pricks caused by pins and needles. The severity of this symptom depends on how severely the circulation has been affected. Skin and hair problems The blood contains essential proteins that promote skin health and hair growth. Poor circulation deprives the skin of these essential nutrients and triggers visible changes in its color and texture.
9 common mistakes truck drivers should avoid

9 common mistakes truck drivers should avoid

The freight industry is experiencing rapid growth. In today’s interconnected world, we rely heavily on trucks and trailers to transport a wide range of goods. However, driving a truck is not as simple as some may think. Whether you’re a rookie or a veteran truck driver, it’s important to exercise caution to avoid any accidents or mishaps when you are on the road. Here are 9 errors all truck drivers should avoid on the road: Crossing speed limits When transporting goods, it’s understandable to have a deadline to meet. However, unforeseen circumstances and road hazards may cause delays. It’s important to resist the urge to speed or exceed the recommended speed limit. According to truck driving laws in the country, a single axle can carry up to 20,000 lbs, while a tandem axle can carry up to 34,000 lbs. Carrying such a heavy load requires careful control, and overspeeding can lead to loss of control, risking your safety and that of others around you. It’s crucial to follow the recommended speed limit to avoid accidents that could slow you down even more. Sleep deprived riving Many truck drivers get paid by the hours they drive or the distance they cover. This can push drivers into driving for longer than recommended. According to Federal Law, truck drivers can drive up to 11 hours in a 14-hour shift, after which they must spend 10 consecutive hours away from the wheel. This leaves very little time for drivers to take care of their responsibilities and get the right amount of rest, causing them to feel drowsy behind the wheel. This may lead to: Challenged reflexes – When you’re drowsy, your reflexes slow down. This increases your response time to whatever may be happening on the road around you and increases the likelihood or severity of an accident.