Everyone can have a more beautiful appearance and better health if they take the time to respect their skin.
Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It helps defend you from outside dangers such as infection, irritation, and inflammation. It helps regulate your body temperature and makes vitamin D when exposed to the sun. At the same time, this powerful organ is very vulnerable to damage from mistreatment.
Time, neglect, and certain conditions can damage your skin’s integrity and make it look dull, wrinkled, spotty, and downright unhealthy.
This article will discuss the most common causes of skin damage and how to avoid them.
Top Two Causes of Skin Damage
Let's immediately address the two most detrimental habits for skin health: smoking and exposure to sunlight without protection.
Smoking
Smoking accelerates skin ageing significantly. According to tobaccofreelife.org, smoking 30 cigarettes a day could add an extra 14 years to your skin's age by the time you reach 70. It harms the skin by diminishing healthy blood flow and increasing the breakdown of collagen, the primary structural protein in the skin. This reduces skin elasticity, leading to sagging and wrinkles.
Sun Exposure
Exposure to sunlight can also cause damage, both immediately through sunburn and long-term, by altering DNA at the deepest level of the skin, the dermis, due to ultraviolet light. This phenomenon, known as photodamage, can result in collagen breakdown, rough skin texture, sagging, wrinkles, age spots, freckles, broken capillaries around the nose, blotchiness, and skin cancer. We recommend using micronized zinc sunscreens with an SPF of at least 35 to protect against these harmful effects.
Other Causes of Skin Damage and How to Avoid Them
Several factors, including stress, sleeping position, excessive sugar intake, and inadequate skincare routines, can all contribute to rough, dry, and wrinkled skin.
Stress
Heightened stress levels can lead to body-wide inflammation, exacerbating skin conditions, increasing oil production, and worsening acne. Managing stress through daily physical activity and meditation can benefit skin health.
Sleeping Habits
Consistently sleeping on one side of your face or frequently squinting or frowning can cause wrinkles over time. Opting to sleep on your back, wearing sunglasses to minimize squinting, and ensuring good eye health can help mitigate these effects. Engaging in activities like meditation, spending time with loved ones, and focusing on positivity can also help reduce frowning.
Sugar
Excessive sugar consumption can contribute to inflammation and glycation, which damages collagen, leading to loss of suppleness in the skin. Choosing natural sweeteners like allulose in fruits like figs, raisins, wheat, and molasses can help avoid spikes in blood sugar levels.
Skincare
Using harsh cleansers and neglecting to moisturize daily can exacerbate dryness and rough skin texture. Opt for gentle makeup removers and cleansers, such as those containing aloe vera. Additionally, choose a moisturizer suited to your skin type to help increase moisture retention and consider products containing retinol to reduce wrinkles. Consistency in the skincare routine is vital for maintaining healthy skin.
How to Boost Collagen
Suppose you're looking to safeguard your skin. In that case, one practical approach is to enhance your nutrition to support collagen production, which may include considering collagen supplements.
According to Harvard’s T. H. Chan School of Public Health, high-protein foods such as fish, poultry, eggs, dairy, legumes, and soy are rich in amino acids that aid collagen synthesis. Additionally, zinc plays a crucial role in collagen production, and it can be obtained from shellfish, legumes, nuts, and whole grains.
Vitamin C is another essential nutrient for collagen synthesis, and you can boost your intake by consuming citrus fruits, strawberries, and broccoli. Vitamin C supplements can help restore healthy levels if a blood test indicates a deficiency.
Collagen supplements present another option. A meta-analysis published in the International Journal of Dermatology in 2021 reviewed 19 studies and concluded that taking hydrolyzed collagen for 90 days reduced wrinkles and enhanced skin elasticity and hydration.
Takeaway
Beauty isn't merely skin-deep, particularly when it comes to your skin condition. The appearance of your skin serves as an external indicator of your overall health, reflecting both internal and external factors. It offers insights into potential suitability as a partner, the likelihood of having healthy offspring, and the possible transmission of illnesses through direct contact or genetic inheritance. Our innate preference for beauty is ingrained through evolutionary processes, explaining its correlation with financial and social success and overall well-being.
The good news is that you can significantly influence your skin's appearance and general health. Everyone can achieve a more radiant appearance and improved health by prioritizing skin care and respecting its needs. This holds for individuals of all genders.
Therefore, take proactive steps starting today to enhance the appearance of your skin and radiate a healthy glow.