7 DEADLY SKINCARE SINS

All the skincare is waste if you don’t tackle the factors that damage the skin. Here are the seven skin sins and ways to beat them.

The Holy Bible has told us about the seven sins of man- greed, gluttony, pride, sloth, wrath, lust and envy. If man falls prey to any one or all of these vices, then the path leads directly to the gates of Hell.

The sins of man do not only permeate to their worldly conduct but also in every aspect of it. For a woman with her eyes set on flawless beauty, her deadly sins are related to the lack of skincare measures undertaken. The seven deadly sins for the skin are:

OVER EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT (WRATH) : Sunlight is beneficial for us, but only in limited and protected manner. Over exposure to UV rays cause a lot of harmful effects- sunburn, tanning, skin cancer, premature ageing of skin cells, suppression of the immune system and eye damage.

Sunburn is caused by UV-B radiations and people with fairer skin are more susceptible to it. It takes about 15-30 minutes in midday sun for a sun burn to be induced, and affects the face, neck and trunk more than the limbs. Its effect is evident for 1-2 days.

Tanning becomes noticeable 1-2 days after exposure to the sun and increases gradually for several days before persisting for weeks or months.

Premature ageing of skin is caused by chronic exposure to sunlight. The signs of ageing seen are dryness, wrinkles, accentuated skin furrows, sagging, loss of elasticity and mottled pigmentation.

So next time you step out do not forget to wear your sunscreen. For your everyday use, we suggest a SP -15 sun block but if you are in for a longer time in the sun, then use SPF-30. You can try Lakme Sun Expert Fairness UV lotion SPF 24 PA+++ and Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SunBlock SPF 50+ PA+++.

DEHYDRATION (LUST): Water is extremely important not only to maintain a homeostatic balance in the body but also for flawless skin. The various signs of dehydrated skin are: irritation, inflammation, itchiness and sensitivity, a feeling of tightness, a roughness, slight to severe flaking and scaling and also premature signs of ageing.

Drink plenty of water and avoid spending too much time in harsh environmental conditions like bright sunlight and cold wind. Use Aloe Vera based products (like The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Day Cream and Kiehl’s Deluxe Hand and Body Lotion with Aloe Vera and Oatmeal) which will help in maintaining the skin hydration.

LACK OF SLEEP AND STRESS (ENVY): There is no way you can look great if you are sleep deprived. Many of us do not quite understand the connection between sleep and the complex biochemical process that occurs during in it, which is responsible for you to look beautiful. Sleep deprivation leads to pimples and blemishes, wrinkles, reddening of the skin, puffiness of the face and dark circles under the eyes. All this is caused by the production of cortisol which is produced in abundance when your body doesn’t get proper rest.

Lack of sleep and stress are co-related. Modern lifestyle has increased the level of stress in our life. Stress not only causes physical discomfiture but its harrowing effects are seen on your skin. It causes under eye bags, dry skin, acne, greying and thinning hair, fine lines, hair fall and rashes and hives.

Sleeping for 8 hours is extremely essential and if you want to look beautiful the next morning do not compromise on it.

OVER USE OF CHEMICAL PRODUCTS (GLUTTONY):  Our skin is very delicate and sensitive. But we constantly abuse it with harmful chemical products.  Most of the time consumers are unaware of the chemical compounds and their effects. Another area of concern is the use of cheap products which are filled with harsh fillers and additives. Thus, it is better to avoid cosmetics instead of cheap ones. Exposure to pollutants is extremely harmful for the skin too.

Use only clinically tested dermatologic skincare products. Check products which have anti-oxidants in it. But the best solution would be to use natural products. It is also good to avoid cosmetics for a few days as it helps in regaining the balance and texture of the skin.

POPPING PIMPLES (PRIDE): Pimples are real bane to our image and confidence. At any given time our face can be covered in white heads, black heads, clogged pores or deep rooted cysts. It might get very tempting to pick these blemishes to try and make them go away. But it’s a complete no-no, since it results to a slew of not so pretty problems like scabbing, scarring and possibly a skin infection.

The cause of outbreaks on the skin is unknown, thus, it is recommended to protect your skin beforehand. A good skin care routine helps prevent acne. Also a healthy body heals faster, so a healthy lifestyle is extremely important. Eat a balanced diet, avoid oily food, keep yourself hydrated and get ample rest. To combat pimples use natural products instead of the chemical ones. Forest Essentials Facial Ubtan Multani Mitti and Kama Ayurveda Nimrah Anti Acne Face Pack are few over the counter products which you would want to try.

NOT REMOVING YOUR MAKEUP AT THE END OF THE DAY (SLOTH) : At the end of the day we often feel too tired to remove our makeup. But if you care an ounce for your skin then no matter how fatigued you are, remember, to remove your make up. It is an extremely foul practice and it causes outbreaks of acnes, can lead to skin and eye infection, the eye lashes can become brittle, skin ageing and larger dirtier pores.

The make up when left on the skin blocks the pores which are responsible for the production of sebum, which helps in lubricating the skin. It also prevents the skin from breathing and interferes with the natural repair mechanism. Thus it leads to a skin that looks aged and dry. A makeup remover is a must in your beauty kit, try Lakme Absolute Bi-Phased Makeup Remover, Revlon Eye & Lip Makeup Remover and Lancome Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover.

SMOKING (GREED) : Smoking is extremely injurious for your health. But most of us ignore it. Smoking diminishes the skin’s ability to get its required oxygen content. It causes bags under the eyes, Psoriasis, icky teeth, premature ageing of skin and wrinkles, yellow fingers, hair fall, skin cancer and numerous other anomalies.

Cigarette smoke contains more than 4000 toxins which affect the structure of your skin. It also reduces the efficiency of the skin to regenerate itself. Appearance of smokers lines around the lips is not at all beautiful. You can also add a Vitamin C serum or cream (The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost and Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate) in your beauty regime or even including food rich in vitamin C in your diet will help.

So quit smoking immediately if not for your heart and lungs, quit for the sake of vanity.