Things You Come In Contact With Daily That Are Bad For Your Skin

Your skin is always being tested. Everything you come in contact with, your skin comes in contact with, from pollution to weather to chemicals. Your skin is constantly coming in contact with things that aren’t good for it, which, when you think about it, proves just how tough your skin really is. While some things are unavoidable, others are things we voluntarily use.

At Azeal Dermatology Institute in Boulder, we know that skin can be tricky to care for. Whether you have a skin condition that you can’t figure out or your skin is overly sensitive, we can help you figure out how to best care for your skin and keep it looking and feeling healthier. In this blog, we wanted to talk about the things you come in contact with daily that are bad for your skin and may be causing you some issues. Read on to learn more and schedule an appointment with us today!

Pillowcases

Getting enough sleep regularly is a great way to keep your skin looking youthful and healthy, however, there are some skin issues that can come with sleeping as well. While sleeping on your side or stomach can lead to signs of aging, another big issue is your pillowcases. Night after night of sleeping on your pillows can lead to them collecting dirt, bacteria, dead skin cells, and even left-over makeup (if you aren’t washing your face before bed, which is another big skincare mistake!). When you sleep, your skin restores itself and sheds dead cells. If you don’t wash your pillowcases regularly, your skin is being exposed to that dirt and bacteria. This can cause some issues that are easy to avoid! Just wash your pillowcases at least once every two weeks.

Pollution

It is well known that pollutants, such as car exhaust, second-hand smoke, smog, and dust can cause respiratory problems, but these pollutants can also have a negative impact on your skin. Some of the particles in these pollutants are able to penetrate the skin and release free radicals, which triggers oxidative stress and causes damage to your skin. Pollutants can disrupt your skin’s barrier and damage elastin and collagen. This leads to early signs of aging, such as wrinkles, brown spots, sagging skin, and a dull complexion. Pollution can also cause your skin to become more sensitive, leading to inflammation and allergic reactions.

Unfortunately, there is no real way to avoid air pollution; even rural areas are home to air pollutants. But you can make sure to clean your face well at the end of the day. While you should already be doing this to remove your makeup, now you have even more reason to do it!

Cell Phones

You touch your phone all day long and bring it with you everywhere you go, even in the bathroom. So it should be obvious that your phone is dirtier than you may think and should be cleaned often. However, we know that many people do not clean their phones as often as they should. But how does a dirty phone affect your skin? Think about all of the bacteria and dirt that is sitting on your phone’s screen. When you talk on the phone, the skin of your face is coming into direct contact with that grime. If you talk on your phone often but don’t clean your phone screen often, you may notice breakouts along your jawline and cheek. If you are sick of these breakouts, simply take an antibacterial wipe and clean your phone screen regularly! Your skin will thank you.

Cold Air

Believe it or not, cold air can affect your skin too! Whether it is just the cold air or winter or you are blasting the AC in the middle of summer, you may notice that your skin feels dry. Cold air lacks moisture, which can cause our skin to dry out. Another thing to keep in mind is that blasting the heat during the winter can also dry out the air, which in turn dries out your skin. When your skin is dried out, it may feel itchy and irritations, look ashy, and appear older.

While you want to feel comfortable in your home, there are some ways around this issue. The first is investing in a humidifier. This is a simple way to add moisture to your home and your skin. You can also make sure to moisturize your skin often to help it remain healthy.

Long, Hot Showers

Showering is a great way to keep your skin healthy and clean and remove pollutants from the surface of your skin. However, there are some wrong ways to shower that you should be aware of. Showering too frequently, taking too long of showers, or showering in too hot of water can negatively affect your skin. Showering too often will remove healthy oils from your skin, which can affect the protective barrier, this will leave your skin dry and sensitive. Taking a long, hot shower can also strip your skin of the natural oil, leading to dry and scaly skin. If you want to keep your skin looking and feeling healthy and moisturized, be sure to take showers that are shorter and not as hot. You will also want to try avoiding taking multiple showers a day.

Hair Products

Hair products are great for styling your hair, creating a look you love, and keeping your hair healthy, but they could be impacting your skin. Hair products contain oils and other ingredients that can clog your pores and lead to breakouts. If you notice that you are breaking out close to your hairline, it may be the products you are using in your hair. To avoid this, use a clean towel to cover your face while using hairspray and make sure any other hair products are applied carefully so you don’t get them on your skin. When you are working out, be sure to wear a headband to keep products from dripping onto your face when you start to sweat. You don’t need to give up hair products altogether to protect your skin, just be sure you are careful when applying them!

Sunglasses

Just like your phone, your sunglasses can collect bacteria on the arms, bridge, and nose pads. This can lead to breakouts around your nose and near your temples if you are not cleaning your sunglasses regularly. The same goes for your glasses. If you wear glasses daily but don’t clean them regularly, you may notice that you have more breakouts around the areas where your glasses touch your face. Clean your glasses and sunglasses regularly to keep your skin healthy and happy!

Dry-Cleaned Clothes

If you don’t dry clean your clothes, you don’t have to worry about this, however, if you do, it is best to remove the plastic around your clothing as soon as you get home to let your items breathe. When the plastic is left on, your clothes will absorb more chemicals that are harmful to the skin, meaning that when you do get around to wearing an item, it may cause irritation. If you get your clothes dry cleaned, be sure to remove the plastic as soon as possible to protect your skin from harmful chemicals.

There are many things that you come in contact with daily that could affect your skin. While you may assume your skin is sensitive, you have to remember that your skin is coming in contact with so many things throughout the day and being put to the test regularly. You should be proud of your skin and reward it by taking good care of it!

If you have a skin issue that you need to be checked out or you want to give your skin a boost of health with an aesthetic treatment, our skilled dermatologists can help! Be sure to contact Azeal Dermatology Institute in Boulder today to get started.