Everyone knows the expression your eyes are the window to your soul, but did you know that your skin, especially the skin on your face, is the portal to your overall health? It’s true. Think about it. Your skin is your largest organ, occupying approximately 18.5 square feet from head to toe. So when you sit outside under the blazing sun without sunscreen or chain smoke ciggies on girls night out, your face pays the burnt, wrinkly, dull-looking price. Considering it’s your body’s thermostat, contains four touch receptors and is what keeps your Bumble profile in circulation, here are seven don’ts to keep in mind.
Don’t Yo-yo Diet
Yo-yo dieting is a big no-no for your face…and your sanity. For starters, inconsistent or inadequate nutrition that has your body mass and weight moving up and down the scale can contribute to decreased elasticity and reduced collagen in your skin. “This is part of the reason why specialists will recommend a two-pound maximum weight loss goal per week because your skin needs time to adapt to the loss of mass,” explains Dr. Manish Shah, a plastic surgeon in Denver. “Your skin needs to be nourished from the inside many of the trend diets like Keto and Paleo focus on one group of food and though it can help keep a caloric deficit, it can also create a deficit of the necessary vitamins and minerals you need to keep your skin looking healthy.”
Don’t Pour a Second Cup of Coffee
“Excessive amounts of caffeine can increase the levels of insulin and cortisol in the system,” explains Dr. Shah. Particularly when your coffee isn’t organic. (Tip: organic coffee contains less acidity than regular coffee, so is the better choice considering acidity increases inflammation in your body.) Insulin increases inflammation and cortisol, a.k.a: the stress hormone, can mix up your sleeping habits and contribute to continued stress which can lead to sleep deprivation. “Sleep deprivation prevents that regenerative rest our skin and mind need to stay healthy.”
Don’t Neglect Your Under Eyes
You think you can get away with using your face cream as your under-eye cream but you can’t. You need a specific under-eye cream to protect and ward off crow’s feet, bags and dehydration. “The skin around your eyes is the thinnest and has very few oil glands,” says Dr. Shah, who recommends opting for one with peptides to boost your epidermis’ collagen levels. “They work to stimulate collagen production and prevent fine lines,” adds Dr. Shah. “Other notable ingredients are caffeine and nicotinic acid (a form of the B vitamin niacin), to reduce puffiness, lines, wrinkles and under eye circles.”
Don’t Eat Too Much Salt
There are more reasons than one to put down the extra-large bag of salt and vinegar chips, but when it comes to your epidermis, we’re focusing on dehydration and bloating. “An excess of salt in your diet is detrimental to your kidneys, your cardiovascular health and your skin,” affirms Dr. Shah. “Salt absorbs moisture and it can aid in making your skin look dry and less vibrant.”
Don’t Scrub Off Makeup
Your face already goes through enough 24/7 so don’t add extra wear and tear to it by vigorously rubbing your eyes and skin to remove the day’s makeup. Being gentle is key. According to Dr. Shah, demonstrating patience while removing makeup from the eye area is crucial. He recommends using cotton or another soft product, coated well with your favorite makeup removing solution, and holding over the eye area first to break the products down, before slowly wiping the makeup away.
Don’t Pick
Yes, it’s one part tempting, another part frustrating, but don’t pick your pimples or anything else on your face. You’re not a dermatologist or licensed aesthetician. It’s one of the biggest assaults against your skin and can have permanent effects. “The more people press and manipulate blemishes, the more inflammation they create underneath,” explains Dr. Shah. “The result is scars, pockmarks, and discoloration that can become permanent.”
Don’t Be a Lip Licker
It’s a myth that you can become addicted to your lip balm, but it’s still no reason to lick your lips, you’re actually making them dryer because the water in your saliva evaporates, leaving your lips dry and cracked. “Saliva can contain bacteria and irritants, so you can end up with a rash around the lips as well,” says Dr. Shah.
