When you’re in your teens or even in your 20s, you don’t always realize the importance of every decision you make right now, but you should. Whether it’s something small like forgetting to put on sunscreen or drinking a little too much alcohol every weekend — what you do or don’t do, will play a role in how swiftly you age. Have you ever wondered why some people look incredibly young for their age and other’s don’t? Sure, it could be genetics but it could also be because they took the necessary precautions to slow down the aging process. And so can you! Here are 8 things you can stop doing now, so you’ll still look 30 even when you’re 60:
Not Getting Enough Of Sleep
It’s called beauty sleep for a reason! Your skin cells renew overnight. If you’re not sleeping and getting a good night’s rest most of the time, it’s going to show. This is why it’s so important to invest in the right sleep necessities — a decent pillow, a good mattress, and whatever else you need to sleep like a baby through the night. Maybe even consider using essential oils, drinking green tea before bed, or putting your phone away a few hours before going to sleep. Seriously, sleep is the most important thing, so really make sure you’re getting it!
Always Putting Your Hair Back
You might love the way your hair looks in a ponytail but the more you pull your hair back, the higher your chances of developing a receding hairline or losing your hair all together are. Pay attention to how many times you’re putting your hair up. Once in a while is fine but if your go-to look is a slicked-back bun, you’re not doing your hair any favors. Let your hair fall down, at least a few times a week.
Forgetting Sunscreen
By now you should know the importance of wearing sunscreen! It’s really the only way to protect your face from sun damage which causes wrinkles, spots, and so much more that could age you overtime. But sunscreen isn’t just for when you’re about to go into the pool. It’s for WHENEVER you’re going to be in the sun. Which includes your drive to work, your quick run to the grocery store, etc. You need SPF at all times because believe it or not, the sun shines on you even when you don’t realize it.
Spending Too Much Time Outside
It depends on where you live, but if you spend a lot of time outside in a city that’s incredibly polluted you’re aging your skin big time. Do you walk to work? Do you exercise outside? You might not think that’s a bad thing, but poor air quality is one of the worst things for your skin. It’s crucial you make sure you’re exfoliating and getting rid of the dirt on your face, and body, immediately after you go back indoors.
Not Treating The Skin Under Your Eyes
Take a look at the skin under your eyes. Is it perfect? Probably not. The older you get, the more that skin sags and it’s mostly because of how sensitive that area is. It’s the thinnest skin on your body which is why you need to really make sure you’re spending time treating that area. A solid eye cream is key (and so is using that eye cream religiously). A great option is a Vitamin C serum because you can use it on your entire face to fight against wrinkles, as well as prevent under eye bags.
Drinking From A Straw
A lot of people drink out of straws to avoid staining their teeth, but it turns out, using straws can actually do way more harm. The muscle movement of putting your lips together to drink from the straw can cause fine lines to appear around your mouth. Although I understand not wanting to ruin our lipstick, burn your tongue, or yellow your teeth — you might want to think of other non-straw related options.
Washing Your Face Too Much
Believe it or not, there’s such thing as washing your face too much. Your skin naturally produces essential oils that keep it hydrated. You might think washing your face a few times a day is good. After all, you’re getting rid of dirt and grime. But you’re also stripping away those essential oils and drying out your skin which will make you more likely to experience wrinkles over time.
Drinking Too Much Alcohol
Drinking too much isn’t good for your overall health. It can lead to weight gain, heart and liver damage, thin bones. Alcohol can also completely dehydrate your skin and dilate the blood vessels which can cause redness and increase the aging process of your skin. There’s nothing wrong with indulging in a few drinks every now and then but be cautious on how much alcohol you’re actually consuming. It’s easy to lose count but make sure you’re paying attention, so you can stay healthy and young.