Happy skin is beautiful skin. Keep your skin happy by avoiding these damaging habits and it will keep you happy in return.
Sun damage ages skin before its time. Wrinkles, blotchiness, and even skin cancer are the ultimate result of even moderate amounts of ultraviolet radiation on unprotected skin. A tan may look attractive, but it’s actually the skin’s response to damage. Tanning beds are no safer than sunlight, either; they also use ultraviolet rays to give the skin that lovely, but dangerous tan. If you plan to be out during the day, always apply a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB radiation. Your skin will thank you for it years later.
If you wear makeup, remove it thoroughly at the end of the day. Makeup is meant to beautify, but there’s nothing pretty about clogged pores and the pimples that come with them. Oil-free makeup removers do a good job of readying your face for cleansing.
Unhappy skin shows its displeasure with breakouts and blemishes. Although blemishes aren’t always caused by dirt alone, dirt almost always causes blemishes. Keep your skin scrupulously clean to avoid breakouts. Cleansing once or twice a day and after strenuous activity is plenty; overzealous cleansing can leave even oily complexions feeling dry and irritated. The skin on your face is thinner and more delicate than the skin elsewhere on your body, so treat it gently with a cleanser specifically designed for the face.
Even clean skin gets blemishes. As tempting as it may be to make that pimple disappear with a squeeze, avoid picking or popping. Pimples contain bacteria which then get spread over surrounding skin when the pimple pops. Not only does picking potentially spread infection, it can also lead to permanent scarring or pitting. If your complexion is blemish-prone, switch up your skin care regimen with different products to discover if one of them is the culprit. More stubbornly unhappy skin may require a visit to a dermatologist who can likely help.
You may like the occasional drink, but your skin doesn’t. Alcohol causes the tiny capillaries in your skin to dilate, leaving you looking flushed and blotchy. While a few parties won’t harm your skin, heavy alcohol consumption can make those dilated capillaries burst. Splashing cool water on your face is a quick morning-after fix, but your skin will look healthier if you adopt a long-term strategy of moderation.
Your skin isn’t so temperamental as to get unhappy from a few special-occasion glasses of champagne or makeup that stays on too long once in a while, but don’t make a habit of neglecting your skin. Treat your skin well and it will love you for a lifetime.
This was written by a leading dermatologist, who specialises in anti-aging treatments and skin care. Has recently reviewed and recommends the following product: skin doctors relaxaderm