10 of the worst things you can do to your skin.

We all want to have smooth, radiant, and glowing skin. Our skin can have a big impact on how healthy we look overall. Our lifestyle habits can play a major role in determining how our skin looks. Here is a breakdown of all the absolute worst things you can do for your skin and how to avoid them.

1. Regular consumption of a high-sugar diet.

Many of us consider reducing the sugar in our diet for health reasons such as diabetes or to cut a few inches off our waistline, but sugar can wreak havoc on our skin too. Excess sugar in our bloodstream negatively impacts our skin's collagen levels in a big way! This happens via a process called glycation. This is when sugar levels in the blood become too high and start to react with the collagen and elastin in our skin. When collagen and elastin come into contact with sugar, it weakens these 2 proteins, causing them to become less ‘springy’. The more this happens, the quicker our skin ages. Research has shown that people with higher blood glucose levels have been perceived to look older than those with lower blood sugar levels.

2. Excessive sun exposure without wearing SPF.

Sun exposure is healthy for humans as we derive vitamin D from it, which helps us to build strong bones and supports the body in several ways. Vitamin D is even essential for our moods. However, the sun gives off harmful UV rays, which can damage cells deep within our skin, causing several problems such as lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and even cancer. So, it is crucial to always protect your skin with a strong SPF, which will allow you to still get the vitamin D your body needs without causing damage. Many people are unaware that we should still wear SPF on cloudy days or when you are inside. This is important because your skin is still exposed to a lot of UV radiation from lights, TV screens, and light from the sky.

3. Regularly sleeping with your makeup on.

Sleeping in your makeup is a big no-no. Sleeping with makeup on causes oil and atmospheric pollutants to be trapped in your pores, which can lead to breakouts and acne. It also inhibits the cell turnover process. Makeup prevents your skin from shedding old, dead skin cells. This can make the skin appear old and rough. So always wash off the makeup before bed!

4. Not sleeping enough

If you regularly sleep less than 8 hours per night, not only will it affect your performance mentally, but this can begin to show on your skin. This is because a lack of sleep causes cortisol levels to rise. Cortisol is a stress hormone. Annoyingly, cortisol triggers inflammation in the body which causes the breakdown of proteins that keep your skin smooth and glowing. Inflammation also makes you more prone to acne and allergic reactions.

5. Not drinking enough water.

Water hydrates your body, especially your skin, making it look brighter, plumper and more vibrant. When we are dehydrated, our skin becomes dry, flaky and fine lines and wrinkles become much more prominent. Water also helps flush toxins from the body, reducing acne and other skin problems.

6. Drinking too much alcohol

In contrast to drinking enough water, drinking too much alcohol does exactly the opposite! Alcohol is a diuretic that causes the body to lose water and become dehydrated, which is terrible news for the skin – giving it a dull, grey look. Alcohol contains a lot of sugar which damages your natural levels of collagen.

7. Picking at pimples

Picking pimples is extremely common. Even though it is very tempting, picking and squeezing pimples can worsen the problem because it can push bacteria and pus deeper into the skin, leading to more redness and swelling. In addition, squeezing pimples can lead to scars and pits forming on the skin. By leaving it alone and being patient, your pimple will go away on its own. If you are feeling very impatient, you can apply 5% benzoyl peroxide gel twice a day to help the pimple dry up faster. You can find benzoyl peroxide gel at your local pharmacy.

8. Use good skincare products and invest in your skin.

When it comes to having good skin, the key is regular maintenance. This way, you will have good-quality skin over a long time. Make sure you are using good quality moisturisers, an exfoliant and SPF as a minimum. As your skin changes with age, you must also employ specific skincare products such as retinol and possibly hydroquinone. These products do not need to be expensive. It is important to use them regularly and not become complacent. Your skin will be with you for life, so treat it well.

9. Not exercising.

A commonly overlooked factor in skin maintenance is regular exercise. Exercise improves collagen production and increases blood flow and circulation, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to the skin and simultaneously helps to remove waste products. As a result, this helps with the skin's overall tone and texture.

10. Choosing the wrong aesthetics practitioner

A very dangerous and costly mistake is choosing the wrong aesthetics practitioner. Aesthetics practitioners are professionals in assessing skin quality, facial balance, and proportion. They can help you to optimise your facial image to make you the best version of yourself. However, they are not all the same, and there can be a huge difference in the experience between different practitioners. Always make sure your practitioner is medically qualified so that you are in safe hands. Make sure you thoroughly research the clinic before attending any consultation or treatment.