One non-negotiable fact in life is that we age every
day. As teenagers or young adults in our early twenties, we seem to forget this
fact as we think ageing and its effect is something to experience in the
distant future. We often adopt lifestyle choices that are detrimental to our
bodies and skin, but because the impact is not immediate, we keep doing it.
However, this should not be so, as not dropping some habits/lifestyles early
enough will make you age quicker than you expected. 

Note that ageing is a constant and everyone will experience
it, but you can slow it down by dropping some bad habits.

Your skin is a reflection of your overall health and
well-being. As you navigate your twenties and approach the pivotal milestone of
turning 30, your skin undergoes significant changes. Changes like the skin loss
of elasticity, becoming prone to dryness and showing signs of ageing like
wrinkles and fine lines. It, therefore, becomes increasingly important to
reassess our skincare habits and make conscious choices that benefit our skin
in the long run. 

By dropping certain detrimental habits before 30, we
can pave the way for a radiant and youthful complexion that will continue to
thank us for years to come. In this article, we will discuss the habits you
should bid farewell to before clocking your big 3-0.

Here are some habits you must drop today that will
help your skin thrive in your 30s: 

Habit # 1: Not Washing Your Face Before Bed

Not washing your face at the end of each day before
hitting the sheets is a bad habit that harms your skin, especially if you
applied makeup. Not washing your face before bed, whether or not you applied
makeup, can clog your pores and cause dirt, debris, dead skin cells, sweat, bacteria
and oil to grow and combine, leading to breakouts, inflammation and
dull-looking skin in the long run. In simple terms, it can lead to premature
ageing. 

I know many of you, yes you (catch your sub), are
guilty of this awful habit. We give excuses like “I am too tired to do
anything,”&nbsp; and “…oh it has been a long
day.” I understand that life can be so busy and keep us in a chokehold. However, we need to
discipline ourselves and put taking care of our skin as one of our top
priorities. Remember, your skin is a reflection of who you are. See your skin
as your brand.

Make it a new habit, today, to cleanse your face
thoroughly with a gentle cleanser. If you applied makeup, ensure you wash up
every trace of makeup from your face. What this does is it gets rid of dirt,
debris and dead skin cells you have accumulated during the day, allowing your
skin to breathe and repair itself overnight. 

Hey there, sunscreen skeptics! Listen
up, because I've got some shade to throw your way. I know some of you are
rocking those "my ancestors didn't need it" or "rainy season
means no sunscreen" excuses. Iro oh! You
lie. Let me spill the truth tea. Sunscreen is your skin's BFF, 24/7, rain
or shine, indoors or outdoors. Yup, you heard me right! It's like a superhero
shield against those sneaky sun rays that can wreak havoc on your skin. So,
darlings, it's time to drop the sunscreen-less lifestyle and embrace UV
protection.

Not using sunscreen only exposes your skin to damaging
UV rays from the sun. Exposure to UV rays from the sun has been proven to age
one’s skin faster than it would have, naturally. I’m sure none of you wants to
start having fine lines and wrinkles before hitting the big 30. So, you, my
dear, need to form the good habit of wearing sunscreen with SPF 15+ or higher,
every day. By doing this, you protect your skin and you'll shine bright like a
sunscreen-savvy star! 

You also do not have any excuse as SPFs have been made
available in varying products like moisturizers, body lotion, foundation, mists
and the list goes on. So make your choice of product today and make sunscreen
your best buddy.

Habit # 3: Smoking and Excessive Consumption
of Alcohol

Many
of us know that smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol can be very
harmful to our overall health. But did you know that it can also wreak havoc on
our skin and lead to premature ageing? Let’s spill the tea on smoking and
drinking alcohol! When you light up a cigarette or raise a glass, it’s like
sending out an invitation to dryness. These sneaky culprits dehydrate you
inside and outside, which is a big no-no for that glowing, youthful look. 

It
has been scientifically confirmed&nbsp;that dehydrated skin has a correlation
to premature ageing. Smoking plays a villainous role by cutting off the blood
flow to the skin, leaving you with a lacklustre complexion, fine lines, and
pesky wrinkles. Here’s a whimsical
note to keep in mind, the cigarette smoke also dries out the skin externally,
so double wahala for your skin. It’s
no surprise that scientific research has shown that for every 10 years a person
smokes, their skin ages 14 years. I know. Unbelievable! But it is the truth.
Drinking alcohol on the other hand, either 2 glasses or more leads to
inflammation of the skin tissues and over time destroys the collagen in our
skin which is responsible for skin elasticity. Once the collagen is destroyed,
the skin loses its firmness and smoothness, resulting in early ageing.

Hmmm. What a load of problems just for a few
moments of pleasure. So to you dear readers who indulge in this habit, it is
time to call it quit for the sake of your skin. You don’t want to look 40 or
more when you just clocked 30.

Habit # 4: Not Drinking Enough Water

Dehydration, as pointed out in the previous point, is your skin
arch-nemesis as it causes dry skin, fine lines and wrinkles— all the signs of
ageing. So, not drinking enough water, 8 cups or more as recommended by
doctors, means you are doing your body and skin a huge disservice. Not only
does proper hydration ward off those early signs of ageing, but it also
fortifies your skin's shield, a protective barrier against dastardly
environmental pollutants. Consider it your secret weapon, reducing the chances
of skin irritation and keeping your complexion smooth, supple, and ready to
face any challenges that come its way.&nbsp;

Habit # 5: Not Having Enough Sleep

Life has become so busy that we neglect to have
adequate sleep at night. Having enough sleep is very important to our body and
skin as it strengths our immune system and delays the ageing process— because it
is during sleep time, your skin finds time to repair itself which slows down
ageing. So, not sleeping the recommended time of 7-8 hours a day is doing more
harm than good to your body and skin. It is, therefore, important that you
start prioritising your beauty sleep. Additionally, avoid sleeping on your side
as it can cause friction between your face and the pillowcase which can cause
the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is advisable to sleep on your
back or switch sides during the night.

Your skin deserves VIP treatment. Whether to slow down
ageing or not, you need to give your skin the love and attention it deserves by
cutting out the habits pointed out in the article. Instead, embrace the magic
of washing your face before bed, the superpowers of sunscreen, and the wonder
of adopting healthier choices. 

Discover the 5 habits you need to drop now before turning 30 to prevent premature ageing and maintain a youthful appearance. Take steps now to look and feel your best!


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