Do you eat right and use the best lotions and potions to keep your skin looking its best? Then listen up!
The author of "Feed Your Face" says there are some everyday bad habits that could still be keeping you from your most beautiful skin.
We all want flawless skin... but dermatologist Dr. Jessica Wu says some of our everyday bad habits could be throwing a wrinkle or two into the mix. She says chewing gum is probably the worst habit of all.
Dr. Jessica Wu/Dermatologist:"...over time your jaw muscles build up, they get bulky and that contributes to a jowly look. Not only that but over time, chewing gum can also contribute to wrinkles above your upper lip... instead pop a mint. If you can't stand the thought of giving up your gum, at least only chew half the stick and chew it for a few minutes."
Drink plenty of water... but ditch the straw.
Dr. Jessica Wu/Dermatologist:"...Every time you suck from a straw, just like when you are sucking from a cigarette, you pucker. And when your lip muscles pucker, it contracts and squeezes the skin. and over time, that squeezing and creasing leads to wrinkles. Find a water bottle that had a wider spout so that you don't have to pucker as much. Of course the best is to drink from a cup or a glass."
And when you go to sleep, lay off your face and sleep on your back.
Dr. Jessica Wu/Dermatologist: "So if you sleep on your face and you smoosh your face for 7, 8, 9 hours a night, it's creating a crease in the skin. Well, if it is hard for you to train yourself not to sleep on your face, well then at least look for a soft satin or silk pillowcase. Because these soft materials help to reduce friction between your skin and the pillows so there's less creasing."
And make sure you launder those linens at least once a week.
Dr. Jessica Wu/Dermatologist: "Your pillow case can collect not only dirt, but oils, sweats, saliva, bacteria that transfers from your face to your pillow case at night and that's a lot of bacteria that can build up and get back on your skin."
Make sure you cleanse your face before bedtime.
Dr. Jessica Wu/Dermatologist: "Makeup can feed the bacteria on your skin and create not just acne and clogged pores but you can even get an overgrowth of parasites. If you just can't get around to pulling your hair back and using cleanser and water, at least use a pre-moistened facial wipe to get off the day's oil, dirt and makeup before you fall into bed."
And don't forget the old saying "you are what you eat".
Dr. Wu says eating a healthy diet has the biggest impact on the condition of your complexion.
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