surprising ways you are aging your skin

Ever looked in the mirror and think you actually look older than you did yesterday? But if you fear that your skin is aging faster than you are, the culprit may be hidden in plain sight. Your bad habits show up in your skin. You likely know the no-no’s: Not wearing sunscreen, smoking, and not getting enough sleep can make you look older. You’ll be shocked by what seemingly harmless habits made the list. Here are the top reasons your skin isn’t at its best right now: Drinking through a straw: Sure, it looks more ladylike to sip your beverages, but repeatedly pursing your lips can cause wrinkling around your mouth. While not noticeable when you’re young, these lines become more pronounced as you age and your skin weakens. Washing your face too much: Of course, it’s important to keep your skin clean, but don’t overdo it. Wash no more than twice daily and keep in mind that not all cleansers are created equal. Alkaline bar soaps strip your skin of its natural oils and can cause irritation; a non-soap cleanser is a much gentler option. Forgetting to drink enough water: Skip water and you could be left with dry, rough skin. Water not only hydrates our bodies and our skin, but helps our skin give off a healthy glow. Eating too much sodium: Although you can’t avoid salt altogether, foods high in sodium can suck moisture out of skin, leaving it dry and dull. Make sure you drink plenty of water, use a hydrating natural moisturizer, and cut back on salty foods. Wearing contacts: Okay, the problem isn’t so much wearing contact lenses as it is incorrectly putting them in and taking them out. When applying lenses, you typically tug at the thin, sensitive skin around your eyes, which can cause inflammation and, overtime, lead to wrinkling and sagging. Sleeping on your face: Each sleep position has its pros and cons, but sleeping on your back can help minimize facial wrinkles you might get from your pillow. If you must sleep on your side, switch to a silk or satin pillowcase, which creates less compression wrinkles and can help maintain your skin’s moisture levels. Poor diet: When you are not nourishing your body with vitamins and minerals, it shows up in your skin. Drinking alcohol creates wrinkles and fine lines due to dehydration of the skin and can also show liver problems. These lines are normally the vertical line in between your eyes. You can also see dark circles around the eyes due to lack of hydration and circulation. Some people also show signs of puffiness in the skin, which can be caused by water retention,” which in turn is caused by consuming a lot of alcohol, coffee and salty or fried foods. Losing weight: Everyone want to fit into those skinny jeans, but losing too much weight (or repeated weight gain and loss) causes your skin to lose elasticity, making it look saggy. Slouching at work: Do you often slump over your desk and rest your chin on your arm? This regular movement extending and flexing your neck can stretch the skin and lead to wrinkles. Prolonged periods of time texting and reading can also contribute to sagging Using the wrong product: Are you aging your skin simply by slathering it with the wrong stuff? Products that contain harsh chemicals will damage your skin cells over time. Skin will look always irritated, prone to breakouts and show a lot of redness because it is sensitive. Smoking: It’s certainly no secret that smoking is bad for your health. But did you know it’s bad for your looks, too? Studies show that in addition to shortening your life by increasing your risk for heart and lung disease, smoking can activate enzymes that break down the elasticity of your skin. Even if you’re a closet smoker, the fine wrinkles and pallor that cigarettes cause can give you away just one more reason to snuff out those smokes. Leaving your skin vulnerable to pollution: You can’t control it the way you can control your diet, but pollution is still a huge factor in dull skin. It’s highly toxic and slows down your cellular growth, which causes your skin to rapidly age, toxins can decrease oxygen and collagen in your skin, which causes a dull appearance. When polluted, skin looks irritated and can also appear very blotchy with an uneven tone and constant breakouts