5 Things You'll Need To Give Up To Keep Your Skin Youthful

We all want beautiful youthful skin that gives off that healthy, natural glow. But the unfortunate truth is that modern living is doing all that it can to deprive us of that gorgeous glow. The way in which many of us live our lives are damaging to our bodies in all kinds of ways. You may be astonished to learn what spending all day sitting does to your digestive system, circulation and your vital organs. And while we have many conveniences and luxuries in our modern world, you can bet that our bodies are paying for them.

Image by Markus Spiske via Pixabay

If you want beautiful, youthful skin for life, you’re going to have to make some sacrifices. No matter what the big cosmetics brands try to tell you, beautiful skin isn’t something that can be achieved by applying the right moisturizer twice a day. Beautiful, youthful skin needs to come from within by staying hydrated, eating collagen-boosting foods and avoiding the things that can dry out and prematurely age our skin. So, if you want to stay looking younger for longer, here are 5 things you’ll have to give up...

Cigarettes
It should be a no-brainer at this point. But among the many, many reasons to give up cigarettes is the fact that smoking prematurely ages your skin. The nicotine in cigarettes (and vape fluids- sorry, e-cig lovers) narrows the blood vessels on the skin’s outer layers, preventing your skin from getting the oxygen and nutrients that it needs to stay young looking.

Alcohol
There are many benefits to going sober from saving money to living without hangovers. Alcohol has become so normalized in many societies that we can easily forget that it is a drug. And although it may be okay in moderation, alcohol is by its very nature addictive. So, the unfortunate truth is that you cannot have youthful skin for life, and drink. Drinking regularly dehydrates the skin and can make you look up to 10 years older.

Processed meats
A wholefoods based diet that’s mostly (or entirely) full of fresh veggies, fruits, grains and pulses is not only great for keeping you trim but for helping the body to look healthy inside and outside. Plants are full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein and phytonutrients which may be why vegans live longer. On the other hand, processed meats like ham, salami and sausage are actually classified by the World Health organizations as type 1 carcinogens. They’re also full of sodium and sulfites which can accelerate the skin’s aging.

Tanning salons
A healthy, natural tan can help your skin look vibrant and youthful. However, if your beauty regimen includes a trip to the tanning salon, you may find that it creates more problems for your skin than it solves. Regular, prolonged contact with the UV light from sunbeds can dry out your skin making it look older and more leathery.

All-nighters
Finally, if you want to keep your youthful looks, you’re going to need to get your beauty sleep. Sorry, party animals but a lack of sleep can result in a sallow complexion and dark eye bags which can combine to make you look older and less healthy. It’s time to find the reasons why you’re not getting enough sleep and take action!