Ditch These 8 Bad Habits That Prematurely Age Your Skin

Looking after our “temple” -- our body, mind and spirit -- can feel like a full-time job. In fact, it’s one of the most important jobs you will ever have! It is also essential to treat your skin with loving care, as you will wear it every day for the rest of your life.

Beyond necessities such as maintaining a skin-friendly healthy diet and getting adequate amounts of water, exercise and sleep, there are several steps you can take that will help keep your skin looking and feeling healthy and youthful. There are also some things to keep in mind that will fast-track the aging process, and deplete your collagen levels at an accelerated rate. Here is a list of destructive habits that will directly affect your skin health:

1. You go to bed without removing your makeup

No matter how tired you are, or how late it is, your skin will thank you if you remember to remove make-up and cleanse your face before hitting the hay. If you don’t, you could experience acne breakouts, dull, lifeless skin, and premature wrinkles. Don’t allow dirt and makeup to be trapped in your skin all night long – make the effort to wash your face, thoroughly.

2. You drink alcohol on a regular basis

According to New York nutritionist, Jairo Rodriguez, alcohol is one of the most aggressive compounds that can destroy your skin. Alcohol causes inflammation, and robs the skin of hydration and essential nutrients and vitamins – particularly Vitamin A, a powerful anti-oxidant. If you are planning to drink alcohol, be sure to supplement it with plenty of water.

3. You are using the wrong type of moisturizer

Not all moisturizers are created equal – your face, eyes and body require different formulas. Consider trying our all-in-one Atelocream MC2 formula. It is light and luxurious on the skin (perfect under make-up), and offers rich 24-hour hydration and nutrition. Atelocream is as unique as it is effective for any type of skin, and for women of all ages. Bonus tip: never skip the eye cream!

4. You consume a lot of sugar

Sugar and high glycemic foods are not doing your skin any favours. These simple carbohydrates attach to proteins in the bloodstream, destroying both collagen and elastin, leading to sagging skin and wrinkles. Sugar is a “super dehydrator” activating inflammation and causing puffiness. To add further insult to injury, indulging in sugar may also contribute to increased acne.

5. You don’t get enough healthy fats in your diet

Omega-3 fatty acids – the “good fats” are known to improve the appearance of the skin. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include seafood, such as salmon, oily fish, as well as walnuts and flax seed.

6. You are not collagen savvy

We would be remiss if we left out this fact: The root cause of aging is the degeneration of collagen fibres, plain and simple. As we get older, our bodies stop producing collagen and elastin. Science tells us that after age 30, our collagen level drops one to two percent every year; by 50, we are down 20 – 40 percent. When applied daily, marine native collagen will rebuild your collagen levels, hydrate the skin and smooth wrinkles -- your skin will love you for it. ♥

7. You do not have a handle on your stress level

Research supports the notion that prolonged stress can contribute to premature aging of the cells – causing wrinkles, inflammation and skin irritations. Make self-care a priority, particularly during life’s more stressful times. Meditation and deep breathing are known to significantly help reduce stress. (Here are more great ideas on how to relax and calm down.)

8. You spend a lot of time in the sun

We all know that too much sun exposure leads to skin damage. Use a balanced approach to your time in the sun and be sure to take proper supplementation. The Astaxanthin in Axanta protects the body’s largest organ – your skin. Considered 6,000 times as potent as Vitamin C, Astaxanthin packs a powerful punch. It has been shown in clinical studies to increase moisture and elasticity of the skin, as well as smooth and decrease wrinkles and diminish age spots. Another fascinating fact is that Astaxanthin has built-in UV-blocking properties which helps keep sun-related damage at bay.