6 Skin Damaging Things You May Be Exposed to Right Now

Every day we expose our skin to damaging elements. The wind, the sun, pollution, cold weather, harsh products, cheap skincare, snack foods... all of these are culprits in our fight against premature aging of our skin. But we want to know more. After all, the more we know about what damages skin, the more effectively we can combat it. That's what we're going to cover in this blog: the various things in our world that damage our skin.

Free Radicals

Free radicals are unstable molecules that have an unpaired electron in their outer shell. They are produced naturally in our bodies as a result of normal cellular processes, such as metabolism, but they are also caused by external factors, including pollution, UV radiation, and tobacco smoke. Free radicals can cause damage to our skin by oxidizing important molecules, such as lipids, proteins, and DNA.

In the skin, free radicals can cause damage to collagen and elastin fibers, which are essential for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness. This damage can lead to the formation of wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. Free radicals can also cause damage to skin cells, which can lead to DNA mutations and an increased risk of skin cancer.

Free radicals can also lead to inflammation in the skin, which can cause redness, irritation, and a breakdown of the skin's natural barrier function. This can make the skin more susceptible to environmental stressors and pollutants, further exacerbating the damage caused by free radicals.

Learn more about free radicals and how to protect your skin in this article.

Wind

While a gentle breeze can feel refreshing, exposure to strong winds can be damaging to the skin. Wind can strip the skin of its natural oils and moisture, leaving it dry, irritated, and more susceptible to other environmental stressors. Here are some ways in which wind can damage the skin:

1. Dehydration: Wind can cause moisture to evaporate from the skin, leading to dryness and dehydration. This can make the skin feel tight, itchy, and uncomfortable.
2. Chapping and cracking: Wind can cause the skin to become chapped and cracked, especially in areas such as the lips and hands. This can lead to pain, redness, and even bleeding.
3. Irritation: Wind can cause irritation to the skin, especially if it is already sensitive or prone to conditions such as eczema or rosacea. This can cause redness, itching, and inflammation.
4. Sunburn: Wind can make it easy to underestimate the intensity of the sun's rays, leading to sunburn and damage to the skin.
5. Aging: Over time, exposure to wind can lead to premature aging of the skin. This can include the development of wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots.

You can learn more about how wind can damage your skin and tips to protect it in this blog.

Exfoliating

Exfoliating in and of itself is not bad for our skin. In fact, using a quality exfoliant once or twice per week can help keep our skin fresh and young by removing excess skin cells. The problem comes into play with over-exfoliation. Years ago, it was pushed that exfoliation was needed daily, but this caused damage to the skin barrier and irritation. The skin damage done by exfoliation is not just from frequency, but also the ingredients used.

Learn more about how exfoliating can affect your skin health here.

Cheap Skincare

While it may be tempting to opt for cheaper skincare products, they may actually end up doing more harm than good for your skin. Cheap skincare products often contain harsh chemicals and low-quality ingredients that can damage the skin and cause long-term problems. For example, some cheaper products may contain high levels of alcohol, which can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause it to become dry, irritated, and even more prone to breakouts. Other cheaper products may contain fragrances or other additives that can trigger allergic reactions or irritation.

Furthermore, cheap skincare products may not be formulated to meet the needs of your unique skin type or concerns. This means that they may not be effective in addressing your skincare needs, and may even exacerbate existing problems. Investing in higher-quality, physician-grade skincare that is formulated with high-quality ingredients can help to protect and improve the health and look of your skin over time. While these products may be more expensive initially, they will not only be more effective, but will be more cost-effective in the long run by reducing the need for costly treatments to address damage caused by cheap skincare products.

You can read more about how cheap skincare can affect your skin health in this article. 

Poor Diet

There is a well-established link between diet and skin health. Eating a diet with a lot of processed foods, refined sugar, and unhealthy fats can contribute to a number of skin problems, including acne, dryness, and inflammation. Processed foods are often also high in refined carbohydrates and sugars, which can trigger an inflammatory response in the body. This inflammation can manifest on the skin as redness, puffiness, and even breakouts.

In addition, a diet that is lacking in important nutrients can leave the skin looking dull, dry, and aged. For example, a diet that is low in vitamin C can lead to decreased collagen production, which can contribute to the development of fine lines and wrinkles. Similarly, a diet that is low in omega-3 fatty acids can contribute to dryness and inflammation in the skin. Eating a diet that is rich in whole plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean plant proteins can provide the essential nutrients that the skin needs to look and feel its best.

Discover more about how unhealthy foods damage skin here.

Time

Oh, time... the thing that eventually comes for us all. While we cannot stop time itself, we can learn more about how aging naturally affects the way our skin looks and feels so we can discover the best products to help support us in the process. You can learn all about how our skin changes as we age here.

100% Authentic Medical-Grade Skincare

At Dermsilk, we only sell top-quality, physician-grade skincare brands that are 100% authentic and from the source. Not only does this kind of skincare contain higher quality ingredients, but it also contains higher concentrations that penetrate deeper into the skin for a faster, truly visible, improved skin barrier.