Prevent Wrinkles by Protecting Your Skin
From the corners of your eyes to the backs of your hands to tops of your feet, wrinkles can form just about anywhere. Although there’s no stopping Father Time from having his say when it comes to old age, there are steps you can take to keep those wrinkles from cropping up overnight.
In fact, you’ve probably heard these same skincare tips over and over again: wear sunscreen, eat plenty of vitamins, and keep your skin moisturized. However, did you know that common household items could be aging you beyond your years? The most common skin irritants can be found lurking in your kitchen cabinets and hiding on your closet shelves, waiting to trigger an outbreak of dry, itchy, and irritated skin that will accelerate the aging process.
By understanding what causes your irritated skin, you can take precautionary measures to keep your skin looking its best. You can prevent wrinkles by protecting your skin, before it’s too late!
Warning: These 10 Skin Irritants Can Cause Wrinkles
1. Soap: It’s common sense that washing your hands before every meal and after every dirty task can help keep the germs to a minimum. On the other hand, excessive hand washing may be stripping your hands of the natural oils they need to stay smooth and supple. The stronger the soap, the harder it will be for your hands to recover.
2. Heat: Unless you spend your summer indoors in a perfectly conditioned room all day, hot weather can irritate your skin. Sweating can lead to chaffing and redness, possibly resulting in welts along the underarms, groin, and belly folds.
3. Sunscreen: Sun is the number one culprit for causing wrinkles, so naturally, you’ll want a little extra protection to keep your skin healthy and young. However, certain sunscreen formulas contain chemicals that have been known to trigger allergic reactions. Typically speaking, sunscreens that contain PABA-based chemicals are known to trigger skin irritation, so exercise caution before applying them to your skin.
4. Nickel : If you’ve ever worn earrings that have left your skin feeling sore or irritated, then chances are likely that your jewelry contains Nickel. When purchasing jewelry, zippers, watches, or other household items, double check to see whether or not they claim to be hypoallergenic.
5. Chemical Cleaners: Keeping a clean house can be a tough job on your hands, and household cleaners such as dish or laundry detergents, window sprays, and disinfectants can leave your skin feeling dry, red, or itchy. We recommend wearing protective gloves to keep irritation to a minimum.
6. Latex: In reference to number 5, your protective gloves may also be the culprit for skin irritation. The natural rubber found in balloons, gloves, and even condoms can cause an allergic reaction. If you’re allergic to bananas, kiwis, or other tropical fruit, you might be allergic to Latex as well.
7. Plants: Plants are the number one allergenic ingredients and have a long history for irritating the body. Aloe Vera, in particular, is often touted as the miracle skin healing solution and is used in a wide variety of skincare products, but on the flip side, it’s known for its potential to trigger an allergic reaction as well. Before you smother your body in Aloe Vera, thinking it will soothe your already dry and irritated skin, double check that you don’t have an allergy to this particular plant.
8. Clothing: If you’re experiencing dry, itchy, or irritated skin in areas that are covered in clothing but don’t have a problem when you wear short sleeves or shorts, then your body might be giving you the hint that your clothing is wreaking havoc on your skin. Rough fabrics (especially wool) can be problematic for those who suffer eczema. We suggest wearing cotton or cotton poly fabrics instead.
9. Fragrances: Although you may be addicted to that Lavender scented lotion or can’t get enough of the smell of Vanilla in the morning, certain fragrances have been known to irritate the skin. Although there are thousands of scents and fragrant combinations on the market, making it difficult to determine precisely which substance can irritate your skin, until you know precisely which fragrance is causing your breakouts, you might want to stick to unscented lotions and creams.
10. Facial Creams: We are constantly on the lookout for the safest, most effective wrinkle and anti-aging creams available, but just because a product appears to be safe for one person doesn’t meant that it’s safe for you. Certain creams can contain chemicals or preservatives that are known to irritate the skin. Exercise caution before investing in any facial cream or skincare products and consult your dermatologist if you experience any irritation or burning.
Final Thoughts
These common offenders are found in almost every household and have a long history of damaging the skin. If your skin is dry, irritated, itchy, or inflamed, then you might want to track down the culprit before it causes more wrinkles. By protecting your skin from these seemingly ordinary items, you can prevent wrinkles before they pop up around your eyes or on your hands.