The condition of our skin is often linked to more than just genetics. As your body’s largest and most exposed organ, your skin will feel the effects of your lifestyle choices just as much as your body and weight would. Whether you’re experiencing new skin problems or have gone years with the same issues, taking time to evaluate your lifestyle choices and making some healthy changes could make a significant difference.
To help you improve the condition of your skin, start by considering these common ways that lifestyle could be the problem and then schedule an appointment with a trusted Fort Collins dermatology office to get your skin back to living its fullest life.
Diet
We all know that the choices we make with our diet can affect our weight and our waistline, but diet can also cause you to gain problems for your skin. Poor diet can contribute to acne, premature aging, puffiness, oily skin, and could even affect elasticity. The most common foods to affect skin are those that affect weight as well, including those that are high in sugar, processed and greasy. However, other foods that don’t carry the obvious “unhealthy” tag can also be to blame. Dairy and gluten are other food choices that have shown a correlation to a poor skin condition.
Take a hard look at your main diet choices and focus on maintaining a healthy diet rich in fresh vegetables and fruit, lean meats, fish, eggs, nuts and omega-3 fatty acids. You’ll be surprised how much of a difference you could notice by simply swapping chips for fresh veggies. Click here for a list of the 12 best foods for healthy skin.
Exercise
Another typical component of a healthy lifestyle that could be affecting the health of your skin is exercise. Exercise is one of the most effective ways to change your physical condition and the benefit doesn’t stop at your abdomen. Exercise will help boost circulation, improving oxygen and blood flow to the skin and making it easier for
Stress
Stress affects your whole body from your digestion to your skin. Stress causes your body to produce extra amounts of cortisol, which in turn can increase the oil production of your skin leading to problems with acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea. Stress can also cause dark circles or puffiness under your eyes, dryness, rashes, hives, redness, and fine lines. Finding ways to help you manage and alleviate stress could also help you to manage flare-ups and stop stress from messing with your skin.
Smoking
With the excessive number of harmful toxins in cigarettes, the negative affect of smoking on your skin should be no surprise. Smoking narrows blood vessels, limiting blood flow to your skin and preventing it from receiving the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Smoking causes skin to age with wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging. It can also create uneven or yellowish skin tone.
Drinking
Alcohol is another well-known culprit of poor skin condition. Alcohol is a diuretic that will dehydrate your body and your skin, causing it become dry and dull. Alcohol can cause breakouts, puffiness, and redness.
If you have problem skin, switch out your favorite cocktail with a cold glass of lemon water and you’re sure to notice a difference. Drinking plenty of water is actually one of the best things you can do for the health of your skin. Drinking water will keep your skin hydrated and moisturized, it replenishes skin tissue, improves elasticity, improves the appearance of aging, keeps skin supple and soft, and improves skin disorders among many other benefits.
Sun
Vitamin D and sunshine can brighten any day, but spending too much time in the sun can damage your skin. Harsh UV rays from excessive sun exposure can lead to premature signs of aging, including wrinkles, sagging, and sunspots. Frequent, prolonged exposure to UV radiation from the sun has been linked to a common cause of skin cancer. Make sure to protect your skin by applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 on daily basis.
Visit a Dermatologist
Interested in learning more about how you can improve your skin? Schedule your appointment today with one of our professional dermatologists.