You cleanse, tone, exfoliate, moisturise and mask – but still you’re seeing fine lines appearing, you’re losing elasticity and your skin overall is looking lacklustre. Normal signs of ageing? Perhaps not. There could be few things you’re doing on a daily basis that are having a detrimental effect on your skin and your body…
Exercising without SPF
We all sidestep moisturiser or sunscreen before a workout to avoid excess sweat and the SPF stinging our eyes, but even the shortest of runs in the park can leave your skin exposed to the sun and cause damage. Skin cell fatigue, fine lines, spots and wrinkles are the result of cumulated exposure to UV rays, so even a short walk around the block calls for a cover-up. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher all over your face and exposed skin from the neck down.
Drinking alcohol
Alcohol doesn’t just cause a nasty headache the next morning, it also impacts on our body’s absorption of antioxidants and vitamins, particularly vitamin A, which is essential for the production of collagen and elastin. These important protein structures support the skin’s strength, suppleness and elasticity. Alcohol also causes dehydration and inflammation of the skin, giving you a lacklustre, blotchy and sallow complexion.
Too much sugar
Got a sweet tooth that has you visiting the vending machine daily for a soft drink, chocolate bar or lollies? It’s time to steer clear – for the sake of your waistline and your skin cells.High blood sugar levels have been found to decrease the collagen in your skin (a process called glycation), which leads to dryness and wrinkles.
Driving sans sunscreen
Did you know that the sun’s harmful rays actually penetrate the windows of your car? Protect your skin by lathering SPF 30 or higher onto your face, arms and especially your hands to prevent wrinkles and spots down the road. “Any normal glass will block all UVB rays, so you won’t burn, but sadly none of the dangerous UVA rays. UVA rays are the ones that prematurely age the skin and contribute to skin cancer,” said Emma Hobson, Education Manager for the International Dermal Institute.
Not wearing sunnies
Sunglasses are your best bet when it comes to protecting your peepers and preventing crow’s-feet around your eyes. Ensure your sunnies are polarised to filter 100 per cent of UV rays. Thick frames that protect the corners of your eyes are also a fail-safe choice. Need a little extra motivation? Ten per cent of all skin cancers occur around the eyes even though the area makes up only one per cent of the body’s skin surface. “Polarised light rays may blur near and distant vision, causing discomfort and eye fatigue. Polarised lenses block these light rays and minimize distortions to protect the eyes, enhancing visual acuity,”Francesca Pezzutto, Sunglass Hut head buyer told ELLE.
Loud music
Today, more and more people are plugged into their smartphones, blasting music into their ears, which causes the tiny hairs that transmit signals to the brain to flatten. Usually these hairs will bounce back, but prolonged exposure to loud music can cause the hairs to snap causing damage to the ear and, potentially, hearing difficulties.
Squinting at your computer
Staring, frowning or squinting at a screen for too long can cause an unwanted line between your eyebrows and may lead to crow’s-feet around your eyes. It’s important to regularly visit your optometrist to have your eyes checked and be sure to take a break away from your desk every couple of hours.
Over-cleansing
Washing off your make-up, along with environmental impurities and pore-clogging free radicals, is essential morning and night, but you need to ensure you’re not over-cleansing your skin. The skin acts as a natural barrier to protect deeper layers, so don’t strip it of the oils and moisture it needs to stay healthy and balanced. “The cleanser you choose is vitally important, it should be pH-balanced to the skin, not strip the skin of its natural oils and be chosen to match your skin type,” said Hobson.
Forgetting your eye cream
Did you know the skin around your eye is the thinnest on your body? It’s important not to overlook an eye cream in your beauty regime. Rule of thumb: after the age of 20, it’s time to invest in a nourishing cream or emulsion to protect the skin and fight the signs of ageing around your eyes.
Elle Magazine Australia
