Chances are, you already give your skin plenty of TLC to keep it soft, smooth and healthy. But are you unintentionally sabotaging your efforts? We spoke with Dr. Janet Prystowsky, a board certified dermatologist with 25 years of experience based in New York City, about habits that age your skin prematurely. Here are a few of the most common skincare mistakes to avoid:
1. Sun damage. You’ve heard this one before, but it’s worth repeating because it’s true: “Sun exposure is one of the leading causes of premature skin aging,” says Dr. Prystowsky. “Protect your skin with sunblock, clothing, hats and limit exposure to times of the day when the sun is less strong.” For fashionable (and sun-safe) clothing, get inspired by these ideas.
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2. Using facial brushes, such as a Clarisonic. “Overuse can lead to scarification of the skin,” Dr. Prystowsky says. “Be cautious when using these devices to tone your skin. You can’t scrub away wrinkles!”
3. Excessive heat. There’s nothing cozier than a warm house, but cranking up the heat at home could be hurting your skin. “Excessive heat without humidification will lead to dry skin,” Dr. Prystowsky explains. “This will make the outermost skin layer crack with movement and give an exaggerated appearance to any lines that exist. Dry skin does not inherently cause premature aging, but will make any present aging look worse.” The solution? “Moisturize your skin and get a humidifier!”
4. Diet. “Consume only modest amounts of dairy, meat and poultry,” says Dr. Prystowsky. “And eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and fish.”
5. The way you’re sleeping. “Sleeping with your face in the pillow will promote more lines on that side of the face,” Dr. Prystowsky says. “As your skin ages, there’s loss of collagen. How will it crease or wrinkle? That’s partially determined by gravity, but also significantly influenced by repetitive external pressure on the skin, and repetitive facial muscle movements that cause crinkling.” Instead of sleeping on your stomach or side, try hitting the hay on your back. If that doesn’t work, consider investing in silk or satin pillowcases to minimize the friction on your face. We like this Premier Comfort Solid Satin Sheet Set (on sale for $45 at JCPenney).
6. Sipping drinks through straws. “Like smoking a cigarette, puckering your lips simulates formation of excessive lines around the mouth,” says Dr. Prystowsky.
7. Alcohol. Although Dr. Prystowsky says that minimal to moderate alcohol consumption isn’t known to have a major effect on skin, “severe drinking damages many liver functions, which will show up in the skin as adverse effects, such as blood vessel formation, thinning of the skin and potentially yellowing of the skin.”
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