Cutting out fats, perfume, failing to cleanse after removing makeup, and multitasking: These are the everyday habits that are making you look older.
1. Stop Sleeping on a Cotton Pillowcase
One easy change people can make is investing in silk pillowcase instead of cotton as the material often results in people waking up with creases on their face.
‘Many people sleep on their face, which can cause sleep lines or wrinkles. I love silk pillowcases – they can help with this,’ dermatologist Marie Jhin said.
The added benefit of buying a silk pillowcase is that it helps stop hair breakage as well.
2. Avoid Multitasking
With people having increasingly busy schedules sometimes multitasking can’t be avoided, but it isn’t beneficial to your health.
When people multitask, their body experiences higher amounts of stress, which is causing people to age faster.
‘Stress can lead to an increase in inflammation in the skin. This inflammation releases mediators, which can destroy collagen and connective tissue, possibly affecting epidermal maturation,’ Dermatologist William Kwan said.
3. Stop Overusing Central Air And Heating Systems
Overusing these systems can unfortunately dry out people’s skin, which can make fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable.
Dry skin can also lead to inflammation. As people age they lose collagen and elastin in their skin and inflammation unfortunately accelerates this process.
If people find they need to use their air conditioner or heating system it is best that they prepare their skin with a hydrating night cream.
4. Don’t Cut Out Fats From Your Diet
Although people should limit how often they pick up a packet of chips there is no need to avoid monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are ‘healthy’.
‘Fats have been demonized but we actually need them – they’re building blocks for hormones and are responsible for cell membrane integrity, and getting enough good fats can result in healthy, glowing skin,’ Deepa Verma, M.D. said.
People should make sure their diet is rich in foods like avocado as its high levels of vitamin E provides skin with increased collagen synthesis and elasticity.
Sunflower seeds are another great food to consume as they are a rich source of selenium and copper, which help maintain radiant skin.
5. Avoid Sipping Your Drink Through a Straw
Repeated facial expressions and movements, like squinting, will break down collagen and elastin fibres in the face.
Although straws may help avoid teeth stains and minimize cavities, they can form wrinkles around the mouth.
This is due to the pursing motion the lips make, which drinking from a narrow bottle may do as well.
To avoid this from happening people should aim to drink from a glass instead.
6. Stop Spraying Perfume on Your Neck
When it comes to applying perfume the public has been told for years to spritz it on their neck, wrists and décolletage.
Unfortunately spraying the neck should be avoided as the skin in this area is extremely delicate.
Perfume is also super drying, which can be an issue if people apply it before stepping outside in the sun.
7. Make Sure To Cleanse After Removing Your Makeup
People shouldn’t rely solely on cleansers to take makeup off completely.
Dermatologist Debra Jaliman said that people need to remove their makeup before they make the decision to cleanse their face.
She recommends wiping off eye makeup then moistening a cotton pad with toner or a tiny bit of water and a dab of cleanser and using it to remove the rest of the products.
8. Stop Using Hot Water
You should avoid splashing your face with warm water as although it may feel good, it can strip the skin of essential moisture and oils.
Instead rinse your face with lukewarm water and splash yourself several times. Pat dry with a towel.
