5 Things To Limit If You Want Healthy Skin

5 THINGS TO LIMIT IF YOU WANT HEALTHY SKIN

Having radiant and healthy skin is the ultimate achievement for most women. It makes complete sense since skin is the largest organ of the human body. If you take care of it, it shows. If you don’t, it certainly shows too! Skin is the first thing people see, it is what we feel when we touch and it is our first line of defense against the elements. Skin is important and has so many functions to the human body. If you want to maintain your healthiest skin naturally, than you need to understand the impact that certain things can have on it. I have listed below 5 things that can negatively affect our skin and what you can do to lessen the impact and still enjoy.

 

1. SLEEP DEPRIVATION: Lack of sleep does not allow for the skin to get rest and regenerate itself. It causes dark circles and bags under your eyes (boy do I know this one all too well lately! 😉 and it causes saggy skin. Here’s a couple of things I’ve done to try and help myself:

What to do:

• Personally I try to get 7-7 ½ hours of sleep. Some people need more….
• Get on a regular and consistent schedule of going to bed and waking up.
• I don’t eat 2/3 hours before I go to bed.
• No caffeine for this girl after 12pm (full disclosure….I’m not much of a caffeine drinker anyways and have never been a regular coffee drinker)

 

2. CAFFEINE: Dehydrates your skin and body. Your skin loses its “plump” look. (This is exactly what happens to me-my skin gets hugely dry)

What to do:

• Stay Hydrated…drink tons of water
• Limit your intake
• Switch to tea-it has a little less caffeine

 

3. SUGAR, SUGAR, SUGAR (refined that is): Sugars get into the bloodstream and attach themselves to protein fibers in collagen and this produces compounds that impact the skin negatively.

What to do:

• Eat very little refined sugars and carbs. I stay away from cookies, cakes etc and have an orange instead for my “sugar fix”.

 

4. ALCOHOL: (Personally I don’t drink so this one’s easy for me) Increases blood flow to the surface of the skin. Causes skin to look wrinkled and red and flush.

What to do:

• Limit your intake. That’s pretty much all you can do. Moderation is key.

 

5. SUN EXPOSURE: Breaks down Collagen. Skin looks uneven. Brown spots and freckles appear more. Causes wrinkles. Ups risk of Skin Cancer.

What to do:

• WEAR SUNSCREEN!!!!! Zinc Oxide if surfing or something where you know you will be out in the water etc.
• Regular dermatology visits to keep an eye on moles and freckles etc.
• Wear hats!!! The wider the rim the better!

 

*****One bonus one, because of course my dislike for cold weather has a valid reason!!! *****

 

6. COLD WEATHER: Cold and winds can dry out your skin leading to wrinkles (told ya!).

What to do:

• Lotion, lotion and more lotion all over your body. I even use coconut oil!!!
• I have to use a humidifier to keep some moisture in my bedroom at night other wise, my skin, nose and throat are super dry!!!

 

I know some of these thing are hard to avoid and are part of everyday life, but as I always say, “Everything in moderation”…..a motto I try and live by!

For more articles on skincare…go to Beauty.