According to a 2014 report by Transparency Market Research, that’s how much money will be spent each year on anti-aging products, services and procedures by 2019. For some of us, that money will be spent on a gentle cleanser and moisturizer; for others, it will be spent on anti-aging creams, skin peels and other products to enhance our skin’s appearance and fight off aging.
What many of us don’t realize, however, is that our lifestyle choices and everyday habits damage our skin in ways that even the most clever concealer can’t hide. Instead of investing in anti-aging products, here are four habits you should quit immediately to preserve that youthful glow and boost your skin’s natural beauty:
You Are What You Eat (And Drink)
You’ve probably heard that staying hydrated is essential to maintaining your skin’s elasticity and avoiding the appearance of rough, dry skin and cracked lips. But what about your other diet choices? Overindulging in salty foods, like fries or chips, or drinking more than one cup of coffee a day can work against our efforts to stay hydrated, which can lead to dry skin with magnified wrinkles.
Sweets, it seems, are no better. Cutting back our sugar intake may protect elastin and collagen molecules in the skin, keeping it firm and minimizing the appearance of wrinkles. Alcohol is perhaps a worse culprit than any other diet choice: not only does alcohol leave us looking bloated and blotchy, but according to a study published in the British Journal of Dermatology, it can make you more sensitive to UV rays, which increases your risk of developing malignant melanoma by one-fifth.
Watching your weight? Skipping meals can cause the skin to age more quickly, and on-again, off-again dieting can cause your skin to loosen over time, causing stretch marks and making skin appear saggy.
How to Change Your Ways
Instead of skipping meals or trying fad diets, look to healthier ingredients and controlled portions that will give your skin a kick. Foods like sweet potatoes, carrots and kale, which are rich in vitamin A, not only help clear up acne-prone skin and aid with skin conditions like psoriasis, but also help maintain healthy teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, and aids in good vision.
Citrus fruits (rich in vitamin C) are key to collagen production, which keeps your skin firm and minimizes the appearance of wrinkles, and they help the skin repair itself.
Adding avocado to sandwiches or snacking on nuts will give your body a boost of vitamin E, which can help prevent premature aging and even reduce sunburns.
If you’re joining the work happy hour, limit yourself to two drinks and have a glass of water between and after to help your body flush out the alcohol and stay hydrated.
Sleeping with Your Makeup on Ruins More Than Your Sheets
One-quarter of women sleep with their makeup on, according to a 2013 study by Ergoflex UK. Reasons for this varied from late nights on the town to a desire to look more appealing to partners in the morning, according to researchers who conducted the poll. While we all wish we could wake up looking our best, the damage we do to our skin creates a vicious cycle that actually leaves us needing more cosmetics than if we had given our skin a break from the beauty products to boost our natural glow.
Falling asleep with makeup on can lead to clogged pores, which can cause acne. But the makeup residue left on your pillowcases can make you sick. Even neglecting to remove your mascara at night puts you at risk of developing eye infections, and the oils in the makeup play host to bacteria that can cause staph infections in broken skin.
How to Change Your Ways
Develop a good nighttime skin routine, keeping in mind that using too many products is just as tough on skin as leaving your makeup on. Choose a natural, three-step routine that includes a cleanser, astringent and moisturizer that are free from harsh chemicals, and avoid exfoliating more than once a week.
Used to late nights? Try this trick: Keep a box of baby wipes or other makeup removing wipes by your bedside for nights when even the simplest skin care routine can’t get you back out of bed.
Change those sheets! Pillowcases should be changed and washed no less than every week, and pillows should be washed regularly. You can reduce the appearance of wrinkles by switching from cotton pillowcases to a satin or silk, which offers less friction and won’t wear on your sensitive facial skin as quickly. Or try copper fiber pillowcases, which have been shown to reduce crow’s feet.
Your Sleep Schedule Needs a Facelift So You Won’t
Skimping on sleep leaves us tired, cranky and can lead to myriad health problems. After a night or two without adequate rest, we often see puffy eyes and dull, sallow skin. But when we don’t give ourselves adequate rest, our bodies release the stress hormone cortisol, which can break down collagen -- the protein that gives our skin elasticity -- and can lead to wrinkles.
A first-of-its-kind study conducted by University Hospitals (UH) Case Medical Center in 2013 proved a link between sleep deprivation and premature aging.
“Sleep-deprived women show signs of premature skin aging and a decrease in their skin’s ability to recover after sun exposure,” said Dr. Baron, Director of the Skin Study Center at UH Case Medical Center and Associate Professor of Dermatology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. “Insufficient sleep has become a worldwide epidemic. While chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to medical problems such as obesity, diabetes, cancer and immune deficiency, its effects on skin function have previously been unknown.”
How to Change Your Ways
Get the recommended eight hours of sleep nightly. Not only will you look and feel refreshed, but you’ve also given your body a chance to recover and heal itself from the stresses of the day -- and that means skin will look replenished and rehydrated.
Stress Is Wearing You Out
Stress can bring on a host of serious health problems. It wears on your heart and cardiovascular system, leading to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. It has ties to digestive and pulmonary problems and can cause headaches or other problems.
Stress is also a killer for the skin. Chronic stress can bring on blemishes and rashes, and can give skin a dull, lackluster appearance. Stress lines will ingrain in the skin over time, and chronic stress may lead to amplification in wrinkles and premature aging.
How to Change Your Ways
Stress less! We all have reasons to become stressed throughout the day -- whether it’s crazy work schedules, kids or the daily grind. Find positive ways to channel stress, like taking a yoga class or getting into an exercise routine. Both of these will also have benefits on our health and our skin’s appearance.
Exploring hobbies is another great way to minimize stress, whether it’s reading a book, cooking a meal or gardening. Just be sure that if your hobby takes place outdoors, you’re applying lots of sunscreen and staying hydrated!