From Steam to Straws – Everyday Things That Affect Your Skin

Everyone (hopefully) now knows that things like sun exposure, smoking, excess alcohol consumption, and poor diet are bad for your skin. However, these everyday things that your skin is probably exposed to on a regular basis can also have a negative impact on your complexion.

1. Steam Burns

Be careful in the kitchen when cooking for the holidays. Burns from steam can be particularly dangerous because the steam is able to penetrate the outer layer of your skin and damage the deeper layers, often going unnoticed on the surface. Even if your skin is only exposed to hot steam for a short period of time, damage can occur. According to a 2018 study, researchers found that the skin’s barrier is unable to properly protect against water vapor. If your skin does sustain a steam burn, it needs to be cooled for a long period of time – a few minutes under ice or cool water is not sufficient. Seek medical attention if you suspect a serious burn.

2. Plastic Straws

Any repetitive movement that you make with your face can eventually lead to lines and wrinkles. So if you repeatedly sip drinks through a straw, you could end up with fine lines and creases around your mouth from pursing your lips over and over again. This is the same reason why wrinkles tend to show up on your forehead and around your eyes – these areas are involved in forming many different facial expressions, from frowning to smiling.

BOTOX is commonly used to smooth away dynamic lines and wrinkles like these. Fillers can also be used to temporarily erase lines around your mouth.

3. Hair Care Products

Many hair care products contain harsh ingredients that can clog your pores and cause breakouts, dry skin, and other unwanted effects. If you notice that you tend to get breakouts on the sides of your face, around your forehead and on your neck, your shampoo and conditioner could be to blame. A trick is to wash your face after you have rinsed out your hair products. That way, your face cleanser washes away any hair products that ended up on your skin.

4. Making a Phone Call

Your phone is covered in bacteria – in fact, studies show that your cell phone has seven times more bacteria than a toilet seat! When you put your phone up to your face to make a call, that bacteria is transferred onto your skin and can cause breakouts and all sorts of other problems. Even if you’d rather text than make a call, the bacteria from your phone ends up on your hands. Then when you inevitably touch your face, the bacteria is transferred to your skin.

To help solve this problem, wash your hands with soap and water frequently, disinfect your phone regularly, and always wash your face before bed.

5. Makeup Wipes

Although convenient, makeup wipes are not very effective at removing all of your makeup. If you do need to use them in a pinch, be prepared to use more than one in order to get all of your makeup off before bed. For long-term use, you will save money by using a regular facial cleanser that is right for your skin type. Makeup wipes can also be very drying to your skin, so they are not ideal for people with dry or sensitive skin.

6. Crash Diets

When you deprive your body of food, you’re also depriving your skin of the nutrients it needs to be healthy and happy. Nutrients like vitamins C and E, fatty acids, and antioxidants are very important for your skin (and entire body). You might wind up with dry skin or a dull, lackluster complexion if you focus too much on cutting calories to lose weight after the holidays. Instead, focus on the quality of the calories you are eating, rather than the sheer number of calories.

7. Your Pillowcase

Wash your pillowcases at least once a week to remove dirt, bacteria, and makeup (although you shouldn’t go to bed with makeup on). However, if you have sensitive skin, look for a gentle detergent that does not cause irritation or breakouts.

Additionally, some people swear by using a silk pillowcase to help minimize wrinkles. Silk is much smoother than cotton and other fabrics, causing less friction against your skin. As you get older, those sleep lines that you sometimes wake up with take longer and longer to fade away from your skin the next day. Talk to your dermatologist about the best anti-aging cleansers and products for your specific skin type and needs.

Bottom Line

There are lots of factors that can contribute to specific skin problems you may be struggling with – including some everyday items you might use. If you have a persistent skin problem such as acne, dry skin, or itching, find a Skin Type Solutions physician partner near you to learn your Baumann Skin Type and start your journey to happy, healthy skin.

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