5 Nasty Habits That Lead To Premature Skin Aging

Losing the skin’s youthfulness is an inevitable part of the natural aging process. Over time the skin develops visible lines while getting visibly thinner and drier. Many factors can cause the skin to age prematurely. While some come with nature such as genes passed on to you by your parents, there are also external factors that are within your control, for instance, you can alter your daily habits and lifestyle choices if it causes your skin to age prematurely. The good news is that there are many preventive measures you can take to slow down the effects of skin aging and keep its youthful glow longer.  

To prevent premature skin aging, you need to be aware of these habits that primarily cause it to happen. Here are the following practices that you need to avoid doing: 

1. Skipping Sun Protection 

Prolonged sun exposure is one of the major causes of premature skin aging. This is because the ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight breaks down the collagen and elastin that makes the skin retain its glow and firmness. Due to extensive UV exposure, the skin can turn wrinkly and saggy, and dark spots may start to appear as melanin production increases,  

If you have to stay outdoors frequently, it may be helpful to use a mineral sunscreen that could give your skin sufficient protection from sun exposure. Apart from this, you can also consider wearing clothes made of light and breathable fabric which can provide you with enough coverage to protect you from heat as well.  

2. Having Poor Sleeping Habits 

Sleep allows the body to regenerate cells and restore energy lost doing daily activities. During sleep, the skin produces new collagen which is key in keeping its firmness and elasticity. As such, you need to have quality rest regularly to avoid premature skin aging. Experts advise adults to have at least seven hours of quality sleep each night, because sleeping for only five hours or less may result in the early development of wrinkles. 

3. Smoking And Drinking 

Smoking can also accelerate premature skin aging. This is because it can cause damage to the blood vessels which carry oxygen to the skin. Without sufficient oxygen, the skin becomes prone to wrinkling and sagging. Apart from this, tobacco smoke can also damage hair follicles that can cause hair thinning. In addition, excessive alcohol consumption can dehydrate the skin and can affect natural oil production which can make it look dry and tight.  

4. Having An Imbalanced Diet 

Overconsumption of sugary and carbohydrate-rich foods can also negatively impact the health of your skin. This is because having a higher body mass index increases oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, both of which have a damaging effect on the skin’s appearance.   

To counter this, experts advise maintaining a balanced diet consisting of fruits and vegetables as well as lean proteins. It may also be helpful to minimize the consumption of refined carbohydrates and saturated fats to prevent weight gain.  

5. Mismanaging Stress 

Chronic stress can cause the body to produce higher levels of cortisol which triggers an overproduction of oil in the skin glands. With this, the pores may get clogged and acne may erupt as well. Apart from this, cortisol can also break down collagen and elastin. Stress can also trigger inflammation in the body which can accelerate the formation of wrinkles. 

Adults deal with varying levels of stress as they go about their daily activities, and some may find it difficult to cope with it regularly. However, it’s important to effectively manage stress levels to maintain overall health and well-being. To do this, there are many activities you can do to de-stress and rejuvenate after a long day. Here are some suggestions that you can consider to be able to manage stress more effectively: 

• Make time for relaxing and enjoyable activities.  
• Develop and maintain healthy lifestyle habits. 
• Stay active. Exercise can help lower stress levels and calm the mind as well.  
• Socialize and stay connected with loved ones.  

Managing stress levels is an important form of self-care, and doing so may help slow down the aging process.  

Conclusion 

Forming healthy habits early on may be helpful not only in keeping the body healthy but also in preventing premature skin aging. Though people may take the time and effort to have cosmetic treatments and procedures to improve the skin’s appearance, no artificial treatment or medication can replace the long-lasting effects of taking proper care of one’s overall health and wellness. This is why you can consider the lifestyle changes that you’ll make to be a long-term investment that you could benefit from in the future.