What unhealthy habits can do to your skin

Unhealthy Habit #1 You Don’t Use Sunscreen (or You Use Too Little)

No matter what the weather, you should be applying sunscreen — and a good amount of it too. Your skin is exposed to UV rays no matter what the weather rain or shine. Sun exposure can account for almost 90 percent of early signs of aging so always use broad spectrum SPF 15 or higher to prevent the early onset of wrinkles and to avoid dark spots.

Unhealthy Habit #2 You Pop Your Pimples and Pick at Your Skin

Yes, it’s very difficult to keep your hands off pimples, blackheads and whiteheads because you have the burning desire to get them off your face. Problem is, when you pick or pop at your skin, you’re causing more damage than the blemish is. With each squeeze and scratch you can cause trauma to your skin. Also since your fingers are covered in oil and bacteria you could effectively be pushing germs and oil back onto your skin. This can result in more breakouts. If you’re a habitual skin squeezer or popper try your best to refrain from the bad habit and instead treat your blemishes with the appropriate skin care products.

Unhealthy Habit #3 You Smoke

Smoking isn’t just bad, it’s also extremely damaging to your skin. This is because it deprives your skin of nutrients, can give you uneven skin tone, and can cause your skin to sag. It should be your new year’s resolution to quit this bad habit. If you want beautiful skin, say goodbye to cigs.

Unhealthy Habit #4 You Don’t Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is crucial when it comes to healthy-looking skin, as well as overall health. At night, your body and your skin repair themselves while you are asleep. Sleeping less than six hours a night can interfere with your skin’s ability to renew and restore itself. Consistent lack of sleep will accelerate the aging process. Get enough sleep so that fine lines, unevenness and skin sagging won’t happen too quickly.

Unhealthy Habit #5 You Don’t Drink Enough Water

Water helps hydrate from the inside out and can help make you skin look healthy and supple. Water is also crucial in flushing out toxins, which is particularly important if you have oily skin or blemishes. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep well hydrated.

Unhealthy Habit #5 You Consume Too Much Sugar

Research has shown that sugar may lead to premature skin aging, which is why reducing your sugar intake may help in your fight against the appearance of fine line and wrinkles In lieu of candy, consider reaching for fruits high in vitamins and antioxidants instead. Fruits like berries, mangoes, oranges and apples are packed with these healthful nutrients, which can help fight free radicals and keep your skin from looking .

Unhealthy Habit #6 You Never Exercise

Exercise is important to maintain your body’s health. It can help reduce stress which plays a role in health and aging. Increased blood circulation nourishes your facial skin cells and helps keeps them looking young and fresh. So hit the gym and make sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. .

Unhealthy Habit #7 You Don’t Have the Right Skin Care Routine

Even if you take care of your skin there might be a chance you’re not doing it correctly. For example, many people feel the need to “dry out” their oily skin. By stripping the skin of its natural oils, you are actually telling your body to produce even more oil, which probably wasn’t your original intention. In a similar fashion, people with dry skin tend to slather on thick creams, paying more attention to the product’s consistency versus what’s inside the product. Try to find products made specifically for your skin type, and pay special attention to the active ingredients.