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These 5 Habits Are Wrecking Your Skin—Here's What Experts Say to Do Instead

Maintaining or even achieving healthy, glowing skin can feel like a never-ending struggle. One day you could be in the clear, feeling great, sporting that barely there makeup look that everyone loves. The next day, you could wake up with some zits, redness, or a mysterious dry patch somewhere on your face.

There are a lot of factors at play here when it comes to your skin health. It could be genetics, hormones, diet, lifestyle choices, your environment… The list goes on and on. You can't solve every skin condition. In fact, it's best to see a dermatologist for anything that seems serious or can't be fixed with home or over-the-counter remedies. But you can take some control of your skin health and make some changes so that you're setting yourself up for success.

To start, you can clean up some not-so-good-for-you habits. Here are some to watch out for:

  Eating poorly

These 5 Habits Are Wrecking Your Skin—Here's What Experts Say to Do Instead

 We're all about balance here and allowing ourselves treats now and then, but without a diet full of nutrients, you're not helping your health across the board. The Mayo Clinic says that the best foods for healthy skin are the ones that are good for your health overall. Think things like antioxidants, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and fatty fish. 

 Smoking

These 5 Habits Are Wrecking Your Skin—Here's What Experts Say to Do Instead

 Quit the habit. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says that smoking can speed up the aging process and worsen certain skin diseases, like psoriasis.

  Tanning

These 5 Habits Are Wrecking Your Skin—Here's What Experts Say to Do Instead

 It's important to protect your skin from the sun, so make sure you apply sunscreen daily and spend your time outdoors with skin safety in mind. 

 Not Washing Your Face

These 5 Habits Are Wrecking Your Skin—Here's What Experts Say to Do Instead

 You don't have to have a lengthy skincare routine, but you should try to put in a little effort. The AAD recommends gently washing your face in the morning and at night to remove dirt, bacteria, and makeup.

Letting Your Stress Run Wild

These 5 Habits Are Wrecking Your Skin—Here's What Experts Say to Do Instead

 Stress can really mess with your whole body, and your skin can be one of its victims. The AAD says that when you don't manage it, you might encounter flare-ups of skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea.

 The above list is not 100% exhaustive of all the changes that can help, but it's a start, and you can discuss more tips with your doctor or healthcare professional. You can also experiment with replacing these bad habits with other things that can be good for your skin, like vitamins and supplements (with your doctor's okay), certain foods, and other lifestyle changes. We've outlined some below.

FOOD

  Omega-3s  

These 5 Habits Are Wrecking Your Skin—Here's What Experts Say to Do Instead

Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial to skin and heart health. And according to Oregon State University, they play a critical role in normal skin function and appearance. Sources of omega-3s include salmon, nuts, and avocados.

Vegetables
These 5 Habits Are Wrecking Your Skin—Here's What Experts Say to Do Instead

Getting the recommended servings of vegetables will help your overall health. "In general, eating a clean and plant-based diet with fresh fruits and vegetables is healthier, as they are full of fiber, low-fat, and low-sugar, thus stabilizing insulin levels. Spikes in insulin can also cause acne," Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in private practice, told us. Leafy greens are always a good option.

 Antioxidants
These 5 Habits Are Wrecking Your Skin—Here's What Experts Say to Do Instead
Antioxidants are known to protect against free radicals that come from exposure to UV rays and pollution. You can find antioxidants in green tea, tomatoes, and blueberries.
Vitamin C

These 5 Habits Are Wrecking Your Skin—Here's What Experts Say to Do Instead
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Vitamin C is another powerful antioxidant that can protect the skin. Plus, it's a precursor to collagen production, which promotes skin thickness and health. Good sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, tomatoes and tomato juice, potatoes, red and green peppers, kiwifruit, broccoli, strawberries, brussels sprouts, and cantaloupe.
Probiotics

These 5 Habits Are Wrecking Your Skin—Here's What Experts Say to Do Instead

Research has shown that probiotics can prevent and treat skin conditions like eczema, acne, and allergic inflammation. Food and drink like kimchi, sauerkraut, yogurt, miso, and kombucha are all sources of probiotics.  

  Red Wine 

These 5 Habits Are Wrecking Your Skin—Here's What Experts Say to Do Instead

Yes, you read that right. Red wine contains resveratrol, another antioxidant that's good for your skin and heart health. 

 Coffee
These 5 Habits Are Wrecking Your Skin—Here's What Experts Say to Do Instead

If you can't possibly start your day without a cup of coffee, you're in luck. It has antioxidant properties and might improve circulation. 

 Water



These 5 Habits Are Wrecking Your Skin—Here's What Experts Say to Do Instead
This one is not very surprising. Staying hydrated will keep your skin supple and healthy.