8 Ways Your Lifestyle Is Screwing With Your Skin

by Elizabeth Mitchell

We all know how bad smoking and drinking is for our skin, but who knew things like Botox injections and not wearing glasses could actually result in wrinkles? Check out these 8 different ways your lifestyle is screwing with your skin, and then find out what you can do about it with a little help from our experts.

1. You Don’t Clean Your Cell Phone

You talk on your iPhone all day long, but you never bother to clean it? Guess what? You may be compromising your complexion. “Studies show that cell phones are hotbeds for germs and bacteria that can rub off on your skin,” says Dr. Laura Skellchock, Boca Raton Cosmetic Dermatologist. You use your fingers to text and dial, and then hold your phone up to your face, so it’s important to wipe down your cell with a little hand sanitizer at least once a day.”

2. You Never Wear Your Glasses…Or Sunglasses

Going to the eye doctor is important not only for the health of your eyes, but also for your skin, points out Dr. Joshua Zeichner, Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research in the Department of Dermatology at Mt. Sinai Hospital in NYC. Why? “Because repeated squinting when you look at your computer, read or drive can cause wrinkling around your eyes. Those crows feet may bounce back when you’re young,” notes Zeichner, “but as you get older, they’ll stick around.”

Don’t wear glasses? You’re not immune. The same thing can happen from squinting in the sun!

3. You’re A Junk Food Fanatic

Bad news for all you sugar fiends out there: poor food choices can lead to dull, dry, patchy, and even discolored skin! To keep your exterior looking healthy and vibrant, you need to start including antioxidants in your diet, warns Lauren Schmitt, owner of Healthy Eating And Training Inc. in Los Angeles. Antioxidants help protect against sun damage and skin cancer and may also help reverse wrinkles and discoloration.

“For example,” says Lauren, “Vitamin C helps the body produce collagen, which strengthens the skin. So make a fruit salad with grapefruit, oranges, kiwi, and strawberries, and snack on broccoli and red bell pepper strips throughout your day.”

4. You Like Your Tequila With Lime

You know that lime hanging off the rim of your beer or margarita? Well, turns out, it may be doing some surprising damage to your skin. “Combined with the harmful effects of the sun, lime juice spilled on your skin can alter your pigmentation for up to 6 months,” says Board Certified Dermatologist of the Dermatology and Laser Center of Studio City, Dr. Gene Rubinstein. “So after those tequila shots, make sure you quickly clean your skin before heading poolside!”

5. You’re Always Stressed Out

If you’re perpetually stressed out, you’ve probably noticed some unpleasant changes in your skin. Stress can cause the breakdown of collagen so skin looks less buoyant and plump, trigger flare ups of acne, eczema, and other skin conditions and even weaken the immune system and cause your body to store fat, notes Kristen K. Brown, The Queen of Stress Relief & Stress Expert to the Stars. So our advice to you: take a deep breath, and calm down!

6. You Live In A Major City

Did you know that walking past city grates that release a grimy steam could clog your pores? Well, according to CEO of Gloss and Glam, Nikki Robinson, that goes for any city smog, not just New York’s! It’s incredibly important to make sure you clean your face throughout the day, especially if you live in a big city, she says. “You don’t have to stop and wash your face five times a day, but invest in some wipes, such as L’Oreal’s RevitaLift ($6.99). Stick them in your purse for quick access, and if you find yourself walking past one of those smoggy areas, be sure to wipe yourself immediately afterwards!”

7. You Get Botox Injections

Yep, it’s true. Botox may actually CAUSE wrinkles! “Using injections that plump and paralyze can royally screw up your skin because these injections can cause wrinkling in other areas of your face,” notes Cynthia Rowland, founder of the Facial Magic system and Luscious Lips pump. “Just check out the bunny lines that develop on the side of the nose when a paralyzing, toxic serum is injected into the forehead,” she says. “If you continue plumping injections, the lines from the nose to the mouth can become deeper and greatly pronounced.”

8. You Don’t Sweat Enough

“In Chinese medicine, your skin is considered the third kidney. So in order to keep your skin alive and healthy, you’ll want to open up your pores by sweating and drinking plenty of pure water,” advises Holistic Nutritionist and Author, Sally Kravich. Sweating, believe it or not, actually removes the impurities from your skin and can give you a clearer complexion. Just make sure you wash up afterwards, or else all of those toxins will just sit there and clog your pores again.

Original Post: http://www.thefashionspot.com/beauty/news/173849-8-ways-your-lifestyle-is-screwing-with-your-skin