6 Bad Habits That Age You Without Even Realizing It

Bad habits such as smoking and sedentary lifestyle can accelerate the deterioration of the skin causing premature aging.

There are some bad habits that age you before your time without you even realizing it. Although, at some point in your life you must accept the appearance of signs of aging as part of the biological processes that your body goes through. The skin, like the rest of the organs, undergoes a series of changes over time. For this reason, it is normal that between 45 or 50 years you begin to develop small wrinkles and imperfections typical of age.

The problem is that you tend to overlook those actions that damage the dermis and, much earlier than expected, you begin to notice a skin deterioration that affects your self-esteem. Although there are many products and treatments that can counteract it, it is inevitable to notice signs of aging when some bad lifestyle habits are not changed.

What can you do to avoid this situation? Well, in addition to improving your daily beauty routine care, it is best to correct the following bad habits that age you. Discover them!

Bad habits that age you and that you tend to ignore

Skin care should start from youth. However, many struggle to combat the signs of aging when they begin to appear. The most effective way to avoid them is to take some care before they develop.

In the environment there are a large amount of toxins and volatile particles that negatively affect your dermis. Therefore, if you want to avoid premature aging, you should stay away from them as much as possible. It is true that genetic factors affect how soon wrinkles appear. However, a healthy lifestyle can delay this process and, incidentally, improve the quality of life.

1. Abusing makeup

Makeup is one of the tools that allow us to show off better skin. What many people ignore is that its excessive use has negative consequences for skin health, according to this study carried out by the University of Salento (Italy). This is because the residues of these products accumulate in the pores and cause a series of imperfections. In addition, by producing obstructions, they prevent the tissues from being adequately oxygenated.

Advice

• Try to avoid the use of makeup when it is not so necessary. Your skin needs to breathe naturally.
• Clean your face every day to remove any residue from cosmetic products.

2. Use tobacco

Cigarettes are full of chemical components that, in addition to affecting respiratory health, promote premature deterioration of the skin, as stated in this study carried out by the University of Leiden (Holland). Toxins affect the cellular oxygenation process and interfere with tissue regeneration. On the other hand, by causing dehydration, its excessive consumption can dry out and weaken the skin. Of course, this situation accelerates the appearance of wrinkles and spots, even from a young age.

Advice

• Try to quit the bad habit of smoking. Although it is not easy, there are many measures that can help you achieve it.
• If you don’t smoke, try not to expose yourself to cigarette smoke. Far from being harmless, it contains particles that damage the skin.

3. Do not use sunscreen

Daily use of sunscreen is one of the essential measures to prevent premature aging, according to the previous study from the University of Leiden. This product minimizes the impact of UV rays on the dermis, which, as you know, are quite aggressive. It is not enough to use it only on sunny or beach days. The sun’s rays manage to filter through, even when the day is cloudy. Therefore, its use must be daily without exceptions.

Advice

• Choose a sunscreen equal to or greater than 30 SPF (sun protection factor) when you are directly exposed to the sun.
• To complement it, wear clothes that help you take care of the skin from its rays: long shirts, hats, sun glasses, etc.

4. Sleep little

Poor quality of sleep has significant consequences for skin health. During the rest period, processes take place that are decisive to reduce the aggressions suffered by the tissues during the day. Sleeping less than 7 hours a day without interruptions affects circulation and favors the appearance of premature wrinkles, eye bags and sagging.

In the same way, this research from the University of Western Ontario associates lack of sleep with the development of psoriasis, stating that there is a close relationship between the two.

Advice

• Try to go to bed and get up around the same time so as not to alter your sleep rhythms.
• If you have trouble sleeping, try to find the cause of your insomnia to give it a timely and effective treatment.

5. Bad diet

Among the bad habits that age you, this is one of the most prominent. The nutrients obtained from food are essential to have healthy and youthful skin for longer. For this reason, when you eat poorly, you are more susceptible to skin blemishes.

Excessive consumption of fats and sugars, as well as processed ones, affect the production of collagen and elastin and accelerate aging, as stated in this study carried out by Anhui University (China). This is not to mention that, unfortunately, many food products are also loaded with toxins and harmful chemicals that affect the skin, according to this study by the Institute of Pharmaceutical Education Society (India). Its inclusion in the diet affects circulation and, therefore, interferes with the oxygenation of the skin.

Advice

• Try to increase your consumption of organic foods: fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats.

• Avoid processed, sausages and industrial bakery products as much as possible.
• Replace soft drinks and sodas with water.

6. Sedentary lifestyle

A sedentary lifestyle has many health consequences. What many do not know is that, in some way, it also negatively affects the beauty of the skin. Exercising is essential to maintaining a vital and trim body.

Advice

• Dedicate at least 30 minutes a day to an exercise routine.
• If you have any physical limitations, consult a professional about what training you should adopt.

Now that you know the bad habits that age you, try to lead a healthier life so as not to suffer their effects. This will undoubtedly help you promote your overall well-being. Are you ready to fight these bad habits that age you?