Do your skin a favor and quit the following bad skin habits that may sabotage your beauty routine! Get radiant, better-looking skin naturally by giving your body the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals to look its best.
One of the easiest ways to determine someone's health is to simply look at their skin. As the largest organ of the body, the skin is a direct reflection of what's going on internally and what you're putting it through externally. We spend a lot of time worrying about what to do to the skin to improve it. But what about what you shouldn't do? Here are five habits to cut out of your life today:
1. Stop skimping on water
Dehydration is one of the top culprits when it comes to dull skin
that develops fine lines anywhere on the body. You need to drink
water to rehydrate and detoxify all of your body's organs,
especially the skin. You can tell that your skin is dehydrated if
it's lacking a glow and if it feels especially tight and
inflexible. If you need additional flavor in your water, add some
fresh lemon juice, which is invigorating, energizing and
detoxifying, too.
2. Move your body
Your skin, just like the rest of your body, needs good circulation
to look healthy. Exercise gets the lymphatic system moving, which
gives skin a healthy glow and promotes better cell turnover, an
important element for beautiful skin.
3. Stop smoking
Nothing good is coming from this bad habit – internally or
externally. It breaks down your natural collagen, which keeps the
skin plump, and it also saps protective vitamin C. Not to mention
that sucking on a cigarette is the No. 1 factor in developing those
unsightly vertical lines along the top of your lips. And finally,
the chemicals in cigarettes cause dehydration in the skin.
4. Eat well
Your diet plays a direct role in the look of your skin. Some foods
work for your benefit, and others to your detriment. Cut out toxic
foods like overly salty, processed or fatty foods, all of which
cause excess oil production in the skin that leads to blemishes.
Your skin needs lots of healthy nutrients, vitamins and minerals to
look its best, so go for fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains,
lean protein and low-fat dairy. Raw produce is best, but add it
slowly to your diet to avoid stomach upset and work up to having
raw veggies at every meal. Organic poultry is a great protein
source that will actually help boost your collagen production. And
don't forget omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon, almonds or olive
oil to hydrate the skin from within.
5. Shun the sun
While it may give you a golden glow when you tan, the damage is not
worth it. Unprotected sun exposure breaks down collagen and elastin
in the skin and is the No. 1 cause of age spots, wrinkles and
dryness in the skin. Not to mention that you're putting yourself at
risk for skin cancer. Wear sun protection every day, even if it's
not particularly sunny out. If you want a tan, invest in a spray
tan or a tinted moisturizer or bronzer to give you a temporary
glow.
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