Are you getting enough sleep each night? If you aren’t, you’re not alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports more than one third of American adults do not get enough sleep on a regular basis. More specifically, they are not getting the 7 or more hours per day the CDC recommends as healthy sleep duration.
While, a lack of sleep can lead to a number of health problems – heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes are just some of them – you don’t look as well either. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body releases more of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol can break down collagen, which is the protein that keeps skin smooth and elastic.
Lack of sleep is not the only culprit to affect your skin. Other lifestyle habits may be affecting your skin, as well.
Sun
Soaking up the sun may be relaxing; and who doesn’t love a great tan? However, the UV rays of the sun destroy collagen and elastin, which leads to wrinkles. A study reported in the journal Clinical, Cosmetic And Investigative Dermatology found that UV exposure seems to be responsible for 80% of visible facial aging signs, including wrinkles.
Still some sun can be good for your skin – just keep it in moderation. Sunlight does provide vitamin D, which is good for cell development and repair.
Diet
Diet is something else you can control and should, especially if you want to maintain a glowing, dewy complexion. Some foods like fruits and vegetables contain wrinkle-fighting antioxidants. Others like fish contain Omega-3 fatty acids that restore moisture to dry skin. Here are just a few other tips about good eating habits for your skin:
- Vitamin C is a super antioxidant: Include in your diet blueberries, broccoli, strawberries, sweet potatoes and oranges to help boost collagen production.
- Vitamin E supports healthy skin growth and protects against cell damage: Foods to eat include avocado, sunflower and corn oils and almonds, to name a few.
- Drink water: Water is needed to help skin stay flexible. Your skin can start to look dry, tired and dull when you get even mildly dehydrated. While all fluids count, try to drink as much water as possible. Six to eight glasses are recommended.
- Avoid lots of salt: Avoid too many salty foods and treats. Too much sodium in your diet can suck the moisture out of your skin and make it appear dull.
Exercise
Exercise promotes healthy skin because it increases circulation. Increased blood flow helps to nourish skin cells and keep them vital. That’s because blood carries oxygen and nutrients to working skin cells and carries away waste products, such as free radicals.
Smoking
Smoking leads to wrinkles. The nicotine in cigarettes narrows blood vessels in the skin’s outer layer, which slows down blood flow so your skin doesn’t get as much oxygen and important nutrients. Also, cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals that can damage collagen and elastin.
Some other things to help keep your skin looking great
- Keep showers short: Long hot showers dry out skin.
- Exfoliate regularly: Exfoliating sloughs off the dull top layer of the skin to reveal new, healthy glowing skin.
- Practice deep breathing: Deep, slow breathing helps to calm you down to reduce stress.
- Wear sunblock every day: True Results Ultra-sheer and fragrance-free with zinc oxide is specifically designed to replenish skin moisture while providing daily protection from environmental elements that cause sun damage. The light texture cream with a silky smooth feel applies invisibly and dries to a matte finish for the perfect under makeup application.
Practice these daily skin care tips and also learn how can help keep fine lines and wrinkles at bay.