How Your Lifestyle Affects Your Skin
By Jenny Everett,SELF magazine
Your skin type is about more than just oily or dry. Whether you're prone to breakouts, dark circles, fine lines, dry patches or clogged pores, all of these things are a result of your daily routine. Are you desk-bound? Shuttling kids to soccer practice? A corporate type who cakes on the makeup (and often passes out wearing it)?
We asked top dermatologists what skin hazards certain lifestyles carry and what we can do to keep our skin as spotless as possible.
If You're a Party Girl...
You might have: Dry, cracked, wrinkle-prone skin and puffy bags under your eyes. This is a result of too much alcohol, not enough H20 and not sleeping well.
The best defense: According to Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, a dermatologist in private practice in Dansville, Calif., you should be sure to moisturize with a hypoallergenic cream several times a day and down H20 instead of soda or coffee. To help with the puffiness, place tea bags or cucumbers on your eyes.
Related: 2010 Best Beauty Trends
If You're a Workaholic...
You might have: Acne. This is a result of holding a phone up against your face (notice acne on one cheek more than the other? That's why!) and stress. "Stress causes the surge of hormones that leads to excessive skin oil production and acne," says Carolyn Jacob, MD, a dermatologist at Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology. "It also can cause cells to break down faster, leading to wrinkled skin."
The best defense: Sleep ... and wash that face, no matter what time you come home. If you often find yourself passing out in your makeup because you don't have the energy to wash, pick up some of those one-time use makeup remover towelettes at the drug store, suggests Badreshia-Bansal. This will help prevent clogged pores, which can lead to breakouts.
If You're Pregnant...
You might have: Surging hormones that cause glowing skin (yay!) or acne-prone skin (boo!). "There's no telling what kind of pregnant gal you'll be, but if you start breaking out, there are medications which fight acne and are safe to use during pregnancy," says Jacob. "Check with your doctor to see what's right for you."
The best defense: "Over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide creams are generally considered safe, as are glycolic acid cleansers and lotions since they're made from sugar cane," says Jacob. "However, salicylic acid products may be a no-no, so always check with your OB first."
Related: Boost Your Beauty Self-Esteem
If You're a Busy Mama...
You might have: Aging skin with sunspots and stress-related breakouts. Carting the kids around all day, cheering them on at soccer games, etc. leads to more sun exposure than you know (even in the winter months!), according to Badreshia-Bansal. And if you're perimenopausal, you may be prone to breakouts that make you feel like a teenager again.
The best defense: Wear a daily moisturizer with SPF 30, and look for products that contain vitamin A and alpha hydroxy, which can help slow age-related skin damage. And if you do have acne issues, try face washes and topical creams with salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide.
What's your favorite way to pamper your skin?
More from SELF:
• Try these superfoods for flat abs!
• Hungry? Try one of these 30 healthy snacks
• Lose weight faster: 6 days to get slim
• Check out 10 ways to avoid germs at the gym
• Reach your weight loss goal with SELF's no-stress fitness plan
Photo Credit: Condé Nast Digital Studio
