The largest organ in, or should I say on our body, our skin works hard for us day and night. Of course, this means that we need to take good care of it as well. Just as we would our heart, brain, or any other organ. Unfortunately, some things can cause our skin a great deal of damage, and that means we must do all we can to avoid them if we want to stay looking healthy and youthful. Keep reading to find out what they are.
Sun
While many of us spend a lot of time and effort to get a tan, too much sun exposure isn’t great for our skin! This is because the sun rays are made up of UVAs and UVBs, both of which can cause premature aging. They have also been linked to cancer of the skin.
Limiting sun exposure is significant if you want to look as healthy as possible. Additionally, when you do go out in the sun, be sure to wear a high-level sunscreen that works to block both UVA and UVB rays. In fact, if you aren’t too keen on having to reapply this through the day, you can opt for a single application sunscreen that can be used in the morning and will last the entire day. Although, do remember you will need to give it enough time to sink in to become active, usually around 40 minutes or so before you head out in the sun.
Sugar
Many of us enjoy a sweet treat from time to time. However, too much sugar in our diet can be terrible for the health of our skin. The reason for this is that a diet high in sugar can cause inflammation in the body, which will only exacerbate any skin condition you already have, such as acne, rosacea, and eczema. To that end, choose a diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables and plenty of water and limit sugar as much as possible.
Stress
Not many people realise that stress is bad for your skin and can cause significant problems. The reason stress can have such a negative effect on the health of our skin is that when we are stressed, the body releases a hormone called cortisol. This then has an impact on the balance of other hormones in the body, something that can lead to excess oil production in the skin.
Additionally, stress can play havoc with your digestive system, which can also impact the health of your skin. Especially as when the harmful bacteria overwhelm the good, acne is more likely to appear.
Smoking
Healthy, youthful-looking skin is supple and firm. Unfortunately, some of the many toxins in cigarettes and other tobacco products harm the collagen in the skin, helping to keep it plump. This is why many smokers appear to have more wrinkles on their face that you would expect of someone their biological age. Of course, that means if you want healthier skin (and a healthier body overall), giving up smoking needs to be a priority.
