We all want luminous, clear glowing skin but truth is – all the skincare products in the world won’t help you achieve this if you don’t tackle the top 3 sources that damage your skin. Here’s a quick rundown of those sources.
Alcohol
Let’s face it, sipping on a martini or glass of wine can be quite relaxing. However, it’s important that you know that alcohol contains acetaldehyde which attacks skin fibers and is known to reduce skin firmness and elasticity. Alcohol is prevalent to dehydrate the skin and has shown to dry the skin enough to make wrinkles more prominent. Alcohol also destroys vitamin C, which is one of the most important nutrients to promote healthy looking skin. If possible, aim for three alcohol-free days a week and try to drink at least two glasses of water for every glass of alcohol.
Stress
It’s tough trying to balance your career, college life, or parenthood. Stress seems to seep in from many different angles, even unnoticed at times. Stress can affect your skin in a variety of ways. For instance, stress increases levels of adrenal hormones in your body which have been linked to trigger acne. In fact, stress is being identified as one of the top reasons for the increase in ‘adult-acne’ in career women. Studies show that stressed skin doesn’t absorb skincare products as well as relaxed skin. If you’re looking to decrease your stress levels, try adding a few drop of lavender oil to your bathwater (it’s been shown to increase relaxation levels in the brain). Exercising is always a great alternative, as it releasing calming chemicals throughout the body. Also, deep breathing slows the heart rate and triggers the production of more calming chemicals.
Lack of Sleep
In a perfect world, we’d all get the ideal amount of sleep for our bodies every night. However, getting the right amount of rest is essential for good skin health. Nighttime is when the skin repairs itself; you build new cells and replace collagen and elastin damaged by the day’s exposure to sun and pollution. Furthermore, the skin is more absorbent at night, which means it takes in nutrients of skincare products more effectively. Lack of sleep cuts these benefits and has visible signs such as dark circles and puffiness under the eyes. Everyone doesn’t necessarily need eight hours of sleep but if you’re seeking to look and feel your best, a warm cup of herbal tea is a great way to end the night and get some much needed rest.
Try some of our tips and start your journey to beautiful skin!