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| November 15, 2010 | 10 do's and don'ts for a healthy, glowing skin | |
London:Has your skin lost the shine? Here are the dos and don'ts to curb your complexion crimes. 1. Taking hot showers We all love languishing in a steamy shower but hot
water can damage delicate facial skin. "If you're prone to redness the heat can
weaken capillaries making redness worse so aim for a tepid temperature," the Daily
Express quoted Shula Starkey, founder of Ark Skincare, as saying. 2. Stressing
out It's well known that stress has a negative effect on health but it adversely
affects your skin too. Try yoga and deep breathing techniques and treat your skin
to a destressing product. "The stress hormone cortisol is your skin's worst ageing
enemy and as we age levels rise. "Avoid coffee and alcohol to relieve stress as
it will only ramp up cortisol levels," said Starkey. 3. Rushing your cleansing
routine The new trend of cleansing in a hurry using packet wipes has many skin
experts cringing. "Inadequate cleansing can lead to bacteria build-up and skin
break-outs," she said. 4. Dieting Sticking to a strict low-fat diet can age and
dull skin. Good fats are crucial for skin health, repair, moisture and flexibility.
"Essential fatty acids from oily fish, eggs, flax seeds, walnuts and dark green
vegetables are particularly important," said dietician Tanya Haffner, spokesperson
for the British Dietetic Association. 5. Eating sugary snacks Too much sugar in
the bloodstream widens your waistline and can result in wrinkles. "Glycation is
a process where sugar in the bloodstream reacts with collagen in the skin and
changes its structure from springy and stretchy to hard and brittle and can lead
to premature skin ageing," said nutritionist Melanie Flower (natural-healthcare.net).
The process is accelerated in people with poor insulin control but Melanie advises
cutting back on sugar. "Snacks containing protein are the best option when cravings
strike, especially nuts and seeds because they contain skin-friendly oils." 6.
Not wearing sun protection If you slather on SPF protection only when the sun
is shining you're not doing enough, dermatologist Dr Stefanie Williams (eudeloboutique.com)
said. She suggests using a broad-spectrum sun protection moisturiser with SPF
30-50 under make-up all year round. 7. Neglecting your neck "You should care for
your neck exactly as you do your face so apply all your facial skincare products
from the hairline right down to the neck and décolletage," said Williams. "Use
an antioxidant serum under your sun protection moisturiser every day." 8. Not
protecting against pollution "Exposure to environmental pollution plus passive
exposure to tobacco smoke can cause oxidative stress and damage to skin," said
Williams. "Pollutants can also make the skin more sensitive to the harmful effects
of UV exposure." 9. Drinking too much Alcohol dilates the capillaries and over
time can lead to broken veins and flushing of the face, deplete the body of vitamin
A, an important antioxidant for skin elasticity, and dehydrate leaving your skin
more prone to wrinkling. So drink water alongside alcohol and make sure you are
getting enough daily fluid, advised Tanya Haffner. "Six to eight glasses will
give your skin the necessary moisture for a dewy look and help flush out toxins,"
she said If you are sipping cocktails on your night out forego the straw as the
sucking effect encourages wrinkles to form round the mouth. 10. Not sleeping enough
Skin regenerates at night so make sure you get eight hours. "Studies have shown
lack of sleep can increase cortisol levels, which is associated with acceleration
of the ageing process, reduced collagen production and increased collagen degradation,"
said Williams. When you are asleep your skin is better able to absorb products
so slather on a rich, soothing night cream with a calming aroma.
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