We all know that the sun causes so much damage to our skin and that we should always wear sunscreen, even in the winter. There are a few things that may surprise you that age your skin without you even knowing it.
We do them every single day but with a few tweaks and stopping bad habits, your skin can look younger and healthier. Prevention is a great frugal beauty tip.
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Tech Neck
Have you ever heard of the term “tech neck”? It is the sagging of the skin on your neck due to constantly checking your phone. Think of how many times a day you look down to check a text, email, or just surfing the web. On average, it is 150 times a day! It causes the skin around your neck to lose elasticity and become saggy.
How to Fight it: When you check your phone, try to hold it at eye level so you aren’t constantly looking down. Use a good neck cream like RoC Multi Correxion 5-in-1 Chest, Neck, and Face Cream. Use twice a day and blend it upwards from the collar bone to the jawline. Don’t pull down on your neck.
Using a Straw
If you regularly drink from a straw you could be causing damage to your skin. By constantly pursing your lips you are creating lines and wrinkles around your mouth. This can age your mouth just like the constant motion of smoking cigarettes.
How to Fight It: Drink from a glass as often as you can. Apply a cream with hyaluronic acid like L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Deep Set Wrinkle Collagen Filler Lip.
High Heat
Heat from a hot stove, hair dryer, and even from holding the phone against your face can all cause skin spots or melasma. It can get worse in the winter when we have fires going and are using the central heat. This can cause the air in your home to lose moisture which causes you skin to become dry.
How to Fight It: Don’t linger over the stove or any other heat source. You can use a humidifier to help moisten the air in your home or office.
Indoor Lighting
We stay inside to get away from the sun’s harmful UV rays but LED lighbulbs can emit moderate levels of UV light. Some of the lighting used in stores and office buildings can even cause brown spots and melasma.
How to Fight It: Switch to CFL bulbs and install a dimmer when you can. Always wear a mineral sunscreen like JASON Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30.
Excessive Drinking
Having a drink every once in a while is perfectly fine and can even be good for you. Drinking too much can lead to aging skin as well as other health problems. Alcohol is a diuretic which means it dehydrates you and your skin. It also causes your liver to work harder to get out all of the toxins.
How to Fight It: Stick to one or two drinks when you go out with the girls or on date night. Use a nightly moisturizer like Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream Night
Your Pillow
If you are a stomach or side sleeper, your pillow could be giving you sleep lines. When we sleep on our face for a long period of time, it can cause little wrinkles around your face.
How to Fight It: Invest in a satin or silk pillowcase. You don’t have to buy a full sheet set because that can get expensive, just get a smooth pillowcase that won’t cause wrinkles when you sleep.
The Wrong Makeup
The right kind of makeup can do wonders for your face. If you use a heavy foundation or powder it can make you look older. The heavy formulas can settle into wrinkles and fine lines, which can only accentuate the problem areas.
How to Fight It: Switch to a lighter formula or tinted moisturizer like Aveeno Positively Radiant CC Cream SPF 30.
Not Removing Makeup Before Bed
Speaking of makeup, leaving makeup on when you go to bed is really bad for your skin. Your face needs to “breathe” at night so that it can get the proper moisture it needs. This will give you younger and healthier looking skin. Plus, you don’t want all of that makeup and bacteria getting all over your pillow.
How to Fight It: You know to use a facial cleanser before you go to bed but sometimes you are so exhausted. Keep a stash of makeup remover wipes on hand like my personal favorite, Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes.
Spot Treating Acne
A lot of women suffer from the occasional breakout. If you use a spot treatment, you will usually end up with a dry and patchy area of skin. This makes the spot stand out and just makes it hard for makeup to cover it.
How to Fight It: Use an acne fighting face wash, like Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser, everyday to help prevent breakouts. If your breakouts persist, talk to a dermatologist for other suggestions for your particular issue.
Stress
Stress can wreck havoc on our bodies, our skin is no exception. Stress can cause wrinkles, fine lines, dark circles and many other problems. I know it is hard to reduce stress at work and even at home but if you take a few minutes for yourself everyday your body will thank you.
How to Fight It: You can take a weekly yoga class, listen to soothing music, etc. For more tips check out my post for Relaxation Techniques for those who Hate to Meditate.
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