Things You Don’t Realize Damage Your Skin

You know that not washing your face before bed can clog pores and lead to breakouts. You know that the sun can cause wrinkles, aging, acne, sensitivity, spots, and, of course, skin cancer. But beyond the apparent agitators to your skin, what else harms it?

Your skin is a sensitive organ. It can withstand a lot, but it can also be easily damaged by things you don’t think about daily. Here are some examples.

Smoking

You know smoking is bad for you, but it isn’t just bad for your lungs, throat, mouth, etc.; it’s also bad for your skin. The chemicals in cigarettes can trigger the destruction of collagen. As a result, even young smokers tend to have duller skin that is uneven and pale. Even if you don’t smoke, your skin could still be at risk; second-hand smoke can harm your skin as well.

Drinking

Alcohol dehydrates the body, which means your skin can suffer the consequences if you drink too much or too often. Alcohol also dilates the pores, which makes them more visible. It can also lead to more whiteheads and blackheads. Over time, excessive alcohol consumption can cause cystic acne, scarring, and faster aging.

Dieting 

Not all diets will lead to skin issues, but many of them cut out vital nutrients that your skin needs to stay healthy. Plus, if you’re constantly going on and off diets, you are giving your skin mixed signals. Not only will oils begin to over-produce, which leads to clogged pores, but you could get rashes or other forms of inflammation from the inconsistency.

Hot Water

Who doesn’t love a nice hot shower? But steamy water can strip the skin and the scalp of natural oils you need to keep balanced. Hot water also dries out the skin, irritates it, and can leave it more sensitive to the sun or ingredients in your favorite skincare products.

Detergent

The detergent you use to wash your clothes and sheets can be loaded with chemicals and fragrances that irritate the skin. Even if you don’t have allergies, these ingredients can cause breakouts or dryness that can be worsened by UVA and UVB rays, poor diet, or skincare products. That is why it is best to use fragrance-free and gentle detergents for your laundry.