Avoid Being Your SKIN'S Worst Enemy!

Ok, my last post was about being our own worst enemy when it comes to self-talk. This post is going to focus on how we can be our SKIN'S worst enemy! No matter how much we try to be perfect with our skin care, it's easy to make little mistakes that can lead to a flawed complexion. Most of us don't even realize what we are doing may be too little or even too much. Over time, these little skin sins add up, causing damage and leading to premature aging. So, how guilty are you? Even though I study, research, and am obsessed with skin care... I found that I even do some of these no-no's!
Let's start with the ones we ALL have been preached to about, and will probably say DUH to:

Smoking

We already know and all can agree that smoking ages your skin prematurely. Smoking reduces circulation to your skin, making it chalky and dry instead of rosy and glowing. Depending on how much you smoke, you can add around ten years to the look of your skin. You skin becomes more prone to wrinkles earlier if you smoke. Also, it becomes weaker and much thinner. This is because of the free radicals in cigarette smoke that attack the collagen and elastic tissue in your skin. Smoking even makes the wrinkles around your mouth and eyes start earlier and deepen sooner. YUCK.... we don't want that!

Falling Asleep without Washing Your Face

I have talked about this is a previous post. Some think it is good to leave make-up on because they think it keeps your skin from wrinkling. That has to be the silliest myth I have ever heard. Yes, hydrated skin keeps you from wrinkling, but dirt, old makeup, oils, and grime DON'T. It's easy at the end of the day to fall into bed, exhausted... Honestly, I have done it more than I would like to admit. I have to remind myself what my face goes through in a day. Leaving it there to fester = NOT COOL. Also, remember to wash your sheets/pillow cases frequently. 

Touching Your Face too Much

Ok, let's just try to paint this picture.... In a day, can you even remember how many surfaces you touch? How many hands you shake? How many times you rub your eyes, scratch your nose, open doors, or go to the restroom?? The worst part is, we truly don't realize how many times we touch the skin on our faces. Every time you do, you subject your skin to germs and dirt from your hands to your face. Also, when we touch our face, we are rubbing off any type of skin protection we have put on, exposing it to damaging rays. Try to pay attention and avoid touching your face. You should wash your hands when you can or try keeping antibacterial lotion/gel handy. When we touch our faces, we are also tugging and pulling at our skin which can make it saggy. Another HUGE thing most of us do is pick, pick, pick. It's tempting to squeeze a pimple or chip away at the edge of a scab. But you have to learn self-control when it comes to your skin. You can cause scarring, and also more breakouts from the bacteria you are putting on your face with your fingers.

Not Using SPF or Only Applying One Coat

I know you have been bombarded with the warnings. We know what we should do. Honestly, most people don't even think about SPF until it is time for damage control later. We can avoid premature again by using SPF. If you do protect your face with a layer of sunscreen every morning, it is important to reapply, especially if you are outside frequently. Sunscreen sweats off, rubs off, and melts in your face, even if the label says that it is sweat proof or that it lasts all day. The best way to avoid washing your face, reapplying sunscreen, then reapplying makeup is is to find a powder with SPF. This way you can use for touch-ups. 

Now, let's focus on some we may forget, or just not know:

You are What You Eat 

Here is one thing I didn't really know: Sugar is one of the worst foods for your skin. When you stuff your face with that honey-bun (Sorry, just saw the wrapper in my trash can) remember that high blood sugar can cause changes to the collagen and other tissues in your skin. This makes it more prone to wrinkling and much weaker. Severe cases of high blood sugar can even cause rashes. Try to stay away from sodas, cookies, candies, and foods that break down in to sugar quickly (LIKE HONEY-BUNS-whoops). Stick to complex carbs that keep your blood sugar steady, and keep off the extra layer of fluffiness.

Avoiding the Dermatologist

OK, OK.... I must admit I am completely guilty of this one. Of course I will go to the dermatologist if I have trouble with the skin on my face. I literally freak out and call right then. But, I do not take the initiative to have an annual exam for moles,  growths, or rashes that could signal a potential problem. As gross as it seems, this is reality folks. Skin Cancer is no joke and can happen to anyone whether you bake in the sun or not. We do need to check ourselves and pay attention to changes in any spots we have, but a trained professional may notice a trouble spot that you might overlook or consider unimportant. In most cases, catching a problem early means it will be easier to fix. My commitment to myself is to have a full check by the end of summer!!!

Dehydrating Your Skin

Most people have dryness somewhere on their faces, like around the eyes.  The signs of moisture-deprived skin include rough patches, tightness, flakiness, and itchiness. Even oily skin can suffer from dehydration. When the skin is dehydrated it over produces sebum to moisturize itself. When your skin is hydrated, it's less likely to suffer from irritation and can better defend itself. If your skin is very oily, look for an oil free lotion or serum. The best choices are paraben and fragrance free. 

Over-Hydrating your Skin

What does our skin do naturally? It regenerates and sheds, right? If you over hydrate your skin, you can trick the skin that needs to shed into thinking it is still alive (yes I just said your skin thinks, heehee). When we over hydrate our skin, the dead skin doesn't shed properly, and the new skin continues to build up underneath. This can cause whiteheads, blackheads, and even the big honkers. The best thing to do is get a gentle moisturizer, and always be sure to exfoliate about once a week.

Neglecting the Neck

Let's face it (no pun intended), most of us pay a lot more attention to our faces than anywhere else.  Our necks and chests usually get neglected. We have to be very careful because the skin is naturally thinner on your décolletage —I love that word! These areas get just as much sun exposure as our faces. If you ignore these areas, most likely you will start to notice  blotchy skin, broken capillaries, and scaly patches from the sun. We all have seen people who have taken care of their face but not the rest, and it doesn't look like it matches their body!! We don't want that... definitely not attractive or easily fixed.  To avoid this, treat your chest and neck with the same skin care routine as your face (SPF, moisturizers, anti-aging products, etc.). 

Getting Your Money's Worth

Yes, we all can agree that makeup is too expensive. We can also agree that we have certain favorite products that we can't live without- especially if they discontinue our favorite color. It is so tempting to scrape and squeeze until every last bit is gone.  It might make it easier to chunk the make up if you think about is possibly breeding in there. YUCK!! Then we put that on our eyes, skin, and lips? No, thank you. The longest you should keep make up is 3-4 months. 

In a nutshell, these are all ways we are abusing our skin whether we realize it or not. We can take steps to change these habits. Baby steps ladies....Baby steps!

Your skin will definitely thank you! Much love, Meg