4 things that make your skin look older

There are many anti-aging skin products on the market to make your skin look more youthful, but preventing skin damage is also important. Here are 4 things to avoid to keep your skin looking radiant and young.

Excess sugars can cause a whole host of problems for your skin. For example, glycation causes proteins and fats to combine with the excess sugar in your body to form damaged proteins. These proteins cause your skin to be less elastic and more prone to wrinkles and sagging.

Alcohol does a lot of damage to many parts of your body if consumed in excess. A glass of wine now and then isn't going to harm your skin, but too much drinking can damage your liver and slow its ability to flush toxins out of your system. When your liver slows down, the toxins build up and can cause your skin to dry out and turn uneven colours. Alcohol can also prevent you from getting the restorative sleep that you need to keep your skin healthy.

Wearing makeup might make you feel good in the moment, but it may also cause your pores to close up. If you like to wear a base or foundation, try to choose one that is very light and doesn't include any harmful, drying ingredients. Applying moisturizer before putting on your foundation will also help to create a protective skin cover.

Stress is one of the main causes of premature aging and wrinkles. Leading a completely stress-free life is unrealistic, but you can take some measures to make stress more manageable and hopefully reduce its impact on your skin. Try to practice deep breathing exercises throughout the day by exhaling strongly through your mouth and then breathing in through your nose for three or four seconds. Keep repeating this for a few minutes before starting your next task. This process should help you relax, which over the long term will be good for your skin.

When it comes to healthy, youthful skin, taking care of your overall health is just as important as the skin care products you use.