Here are some surprising ways you’re aging your skin faster…
In 2018, it is not uncommon knowledge that there are several things in our lives that can cause unwanted skin again. Such things include tanning, smoking, drinking. We also know that failure to put on sunscreen on a sunny day can cause premature wrinkles. However, there are many other things you may not have thought of that could be doing that can also be causing premature skin aging. Renée Rouleau, celebrity esthetician with 25 years of experience, write on the different and surprising things you may be doing to prematurely age your skin.
1. You’re not wearing sunscreen on cloudy days/ You’re not wearing sunscreen in the winter.
Sure, it’s December, not August. The sun is more often hidden behind clouds. The scary part is, UV ray can penetrate through windows! You’re still exposed to the dangerous UV rays because the temperature is cold or it’s rainy outside! “The rays that cause premature skin aging and skin cancer (UVA rays) are approximately the same strength year round and can penetrate through clouds, even on a snowy or rainy day. It’s so important to get in the habit of using a moisturizer with sunscreen built right in. You’ll want to apply it every morning, every day of the year, rain and shine, inside and out” (Rouleau par 2)
2. You’re yawning.
That’s right! According to Rouleau, staying up past your bedtime is causing your skin to age faster. “When you yawn, the act encourages your eyes to water, which creates swelling and puffiness both at night and in the morning when you wake up. This excess fluid (water) around the eyes weakens the elasticity of the surrounding tissue, causing an acceleration of wrinkles. The loss of elasticity is like a rubber band that’s been stretched repeatedly: at some point, it doesn’t snap back anymore, and this is what happens to the eye area” (par 3). Make sure you’re catching those z’s to prevents wrinkles around your mouth and eyes area.
3. You’re not wearing eyeglasses.
If you’re putting off your next eye exam, you’re probably squinting through your daily life. Squinting against blurry vision and light sensitivity can cause those premature wrinkles we are all trying to avoid. Be sure to get your eyes checked ASAP. Wearing sunglasses while outdoors can also help with this.
4. You’re being exposed to secondhand smoke.
You may take pride in not being a smoker. However, if you have friends, co-workers, or peers that smoke around you, you’re still at risk of damaged skin. “Among many things, secondhand smoke affects the skin greatly because collagen-destroying enzymes (MMPs) ramp up when exposed to tobacco smoke. This leads to premature wrinkling and visible aging” (par 8).
5. You’re drinking out of straws.
Despite being bad for the environment, drinking out of straws can also cause unwanted wrinkles. “Just like squinting, repeated facial expressions and movements will break down collagen and elastin fibers. When drinking out of a straw, you have to purse your lips, causing unnecessary lines and wrinkles around the mouth” (par 10).
6. You’re over-exfoliating.
With the surge of at-home exfoliating products available, it’s an upcoming trend that overusing products can damage your skin. “Many people are doing way too many aggressive exfoliating treatments. This is actually injuring their skin and causing what is known as a damaged moisture barrier. Results include flaking, redness, dryness, dehydration, inflammation and possible destruction of healthy cells. Not good at all if your goal is healthy skin” (par 11). Please note, you should never be exfoliating daily!
7. You’re not washing your face in the morning.
Renée Rouleau exposes all of us who simply rinse our faces with water to start the day. “The reason it’s important to wash your skin in the morning is that while you sleep at night, your skin is in repair mode. This causes your skin to secrete toxins and sebum (oil). The benefit of washing your face with a cleanser in the morning is that you’re getting all of that off along with your nighttime skin care products. This creates a clean slate so your daytime products (especially sunscreen!) can perform their best” (par 12). A sulfate-free cleanser, according to the article, is perfect for a morning routine because it doesn’t leave your skin feeling too dry.
Other surprising ways you may be aging your skin could include swimming in chlorinated pools, having poor makeup habits, taking too many hot showers, and dieting inconsistently. If you find yourself struggling with any mentioned in the article, please reach out to your Bellagena Spa esthetician! We can help you pick the best products to treatments to counteract the aging process of everyday life.
Credit
Rouleau, Renée. “How You Might Be Aging Your Skin Faster-Without Realizing It.” Expert Skin Advice from Renee Rouleau, 19 Sept. 2018, blog.reneerouleau.com/7-surprising-ways-youre-aging-your-skin/.
