What affects the condition of the skin of the face. How to improve complexion. External factors are divided into two groups

Beautiful and well-groomed skin is an indicator of health and age-related changes. Everything that happens to the body affects the quality of the epidermis. But even if a person is absolutely healthy, the skin needs to be given increased attention. The epidermis is restored on its own only in children - it is necessary to take care of the face from adolescence.

Especially often women think about the problem of how to improve the condition of the skin of the face. For them, cosmetic defects can cause an unstable emotional state.

What causes deterioration in the quality of the skin surface?

The state of the epidermis is influenced by external and internal factors:

• change in diet, its lack, diet depleted of useful substances;
• irrational daily routine, lack of sleep;
• working mode at the limit of possibilities;
• lack of oxygen in the body;
• bad habits: smoking, drinking alcohol;
• lack of fluid, violation of the water-salt balance;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• acute painful conditions;
• stress;
• violations of metabolic processes;
• negative influence of external factors: excess ultraviolet radiation, windy weather, cold and heat;
• inactive lifestyle.

If a person leads an active lifestyle, and the face is flaky, or the pores begin to produce excess sebum, you need to see a doctor. The deterioration of the epidermis may indicate the development of internal diseases.

How to look more attractive?

How to improve the condition of the skin, if the usual care with your favorite cosmetics is not enough? Run to a beautician to do in-office procedures: laser correction, rejuvenating injections, chemical peels, and so on?

Not everyone has enough money and time for such expensive personal care. If the problem is related to a health condition, the effect of the most expensive procedures will only last for a short time.

You can make your skin healthier only with the help of a set of measures:

• First you need to determine why the appearance has deteriorated. If there are health problems, you should start with them;
• It is necessary to balance the mode of work and rest - you need to sleep at least 7-8 hours a day;
• Without fresh air, it is impossible to look or be healthy. During walks, the condition of the body and face will improve;
• A normal drinking regimen will help cleanse the body, remove toxins and toxins from it. Liquids will need to drink at least 2 liters per day. Beneficial effect on the general condition: water, green tea, unsweetened vitamin drinks, drainage cocktails. Strong tea and coffee spoil the color of the skin, adversely affect its condition. They will have to be abandoned for a while;
• A balanced diet to improve the condition of the skin and body will have a positive effect on the aesthetic appearance. If it is impossible to refuse a reduced diet - not only acne and an unhealthy appearance of the surface of the epidermis interfere with life - vitamins must be taken separately, in a special complex;
• Bad habits should be abandoned. Smokers are immediately visible by their yellowish complexion. Alcohol provokes vasodilation.

It is impossible to improve the condition of the skin of the face and body if hygiene procedures and special care are neglected.

Body care products at home

There are many treatments that can be done at home. Even dry skin needs help to recover, remove old epidermal flakes from its surface, and cleanse pores. Oily skin without appropriate measures will look unkempt.

Scrub products are selected depending on the quality of the skin: the fatter and denser it is, the rougher it is. Dense skin is cleaned with scrubs based on sea salt, coffee grounds; for tender and dry - it is rational to use flour from ground oatmeal or starch.

The elasticity of the body and face is best restored with wraps. During them, products containing vitamins and minerals are applied to the body, which improves the condition of the skin and is able to penetrate into its deeper layers. Deep penetration is facilitated by preliminary massage and the addition of dimexide to home cosmetics.

The main procedures that improve the appearance and restore skin elasticity can be as follows:

• shower or washing with alternating water temperature;
• ice or hot massage;
• masks;
• the use of cosmetics that nourish and moisturize the skin.

All these measures help prevent the appearance of early expression lines on the face.

Express Facials

You need to take care of yourself constantly and carefully. Only then will it always turn out to look at "all 100%". But how to improve the condition of the skin of the face and body when you have to go out, and the appearance leaves much to be desired?

If there are no chronic kidney diseases and dermatological diseases, the body will quickly put in order a contrast shower, after which a moisturizer should be applied to the skin.

The grid under the eyes is removed with ice cubes, which must always be kept in the freezer. Effectively removes traces of fatigue chamomile or mint ice. No ice cubes - you can use ordinary black tea bags. Brew it, wring it out and make lotions on the eyelid area.

Withering skin will be quickly refreshed by a mask made according to the following recipe. Required Ingredients:

• beaten egg white;
• kefir;
• regular potato starch.

Everything is mixed, applied to the face and décolleté along the massage lines with a brush, in several layers. Wash off with cool water after 15-20 minutes.

A gelatin mask works the same way. To make a therapeutic express remedy, a teaspoon of edible gelatin is poured with 5 tablespoons of warm water - if the skin is oily, milk or cream - if dry or normal.

As soon as the mixture swells, it must be heated in a water bath until it becomes liquid. After cooling, apply it on the face, and after 20 minutes remove it with a cotton pad.

With a course of tightening, masks are made within a month, 2-3 times a week. Gelatin masks can be made on infusions of medicinal herbs that have a beneficial effect on the skin.

The condition, beauty and health of our skin is highly dependent on both internal and external factors. And if these factors are not taken into account, then any, even super-professional cosmetics will be simply useless.

Internal factors include all diseases of our body. The fact is that the skin is a kind of indicator of the state of our health. Acne, wen, skin rashes indicate a metabolic disorder. Ulcers, small cracks, dryness and peeling, as well as pigmentation disorders are often symptoms of vitamin and mineral deficiency. Rash, acne, age spots and other dermatological problems can indicate diseases of the internal organs.

However, if you notice a pimple or hives on your face, you should not immediately panic. Quite often, dermatological problems arise due to improper skin care and can be caused by an allergic reaction to an inappropriate cream or an incorrectly selected cleanser. Therefore, if you have no other symptoms besides skin problems, first try to think about what mistakes you might have made in facial care and eliminate them. Change cosmetics, treat your skin with masks and lotions, adjust your diet. If after two weeks the skin problems have not disappeared, this is a serious reason to see a doctor.

Stress can also be attributed to internal factors that affect the condition of the skin. Strong and prolonged nervous tension sometimes leads to the appearance of spots on the skin, allergic rashes, acne, circles and swelling under the eyes, wrinkles. Of course, it is better to avoid stressful situations. However, the frantic pace of modern life does not often provide such an opportunity. Study, work, and often personal life are associated with nervous experiences, so you just need to learn to relax. Everyone has their own remedy for stress: someone prefers active sports, someone prefers aromatherapy, and for someone there is nothing better than an evening spent alone with a book in hand.

External factors are natural and chemical. The latter include household chemicals, artificial substances found in food, alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, and pharmaceuticals.

Decorative and medical cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, cleaners and detergents constantly affect our skin, and their effect is by no means always beneficial. The components that make up cosmetics can cause allergies. The caustic substances contained in cleaning products and detergents injure the skin, dry and irritate it. Of course, the skin of the hands often suffers from household chemicals, but the face is not immune from the harmful effects of these products. For example, microparticles of washing and cleaning powders settle on the face and can cause an allergic reaction.

However, a much greater risk to the skin of the face is associated with the use of cosmetics. The modern cosmetic industry strives to make its products based on hypoallergenic ingredients. Of course, this does not apply to fake manufacturers. Sometimes young girls save on cosmetics, preferring quantity to quality. Indeed, relatively speaking, for the same amount you can buy either 1 lipstick of a respected cosmetic company, or 5 lipsticks, the origin of which is in serious doubt.

Seeming benefits are deceptive. Fake manufacturers are unlikely to care about the health of their future customers. They strive to reduce the cost of manufacturing their products, which means that the components are chosen cheap, low-quality, and often hazardous to health. After all, it is not for nothing that they say: a miser pays twice. Having saved on the purchase of cosmetics, a lover of cheapness risks spending even more money on treatment.

It is very good if the consequences of using low-quality cosmetics can be completely eliminated. Scars, acne, lifelong allergies - this is not a complete list of those "gifts" that can remain on the face after using such cosmetics.

Dermatological problems often arise due to flavors, preservatives, dyes that are part of food. The harm that artificial additives do to our body does not always manifest itself quickly and vividly. To do this, you need to have a predisposition to an allergic reaction to dyes.

However, even if you do not suffer from such an allergy, this does not mean that artificial additives do not harm you. Accumulating, they gradually worsen the state of health, which can subsequently cause serious problems, therefore, if possible, products with such ingredients should be excluded from the diet. If you have a choice between chips and a fresh apple, go for it.

Medications can also cause skin problems. Even doctors do not deny: any medicine has side effects. An important role is also played by individual susceptibility to the components of drugs. Of course, in no case should you refuse to take medication just because of the risk of acne or hives. However, one must keep in mind the possibility of such consequences. If you experience dermatological problems during or shortly after your treatment, consult your doctor as soon as possible!

It is impossible to completely abandon the use of household chemicals and cosmetics, it is very difficult not to eat foods with artificial additives at all, it is unthinkable to do without medicines. However, there is another group of chemical factors, the harmful effects of which are very easy to avoid. We are talking, of course, about caffeine, tobacco and alcohol.

Many girls are unable to imagine their life without a cup of coffee. It is like a life-giving elixir that helps to wake up, feel cheerful, and get involved in work. An exam session or a rush at work is inevitably associated with the absorption of literally liters of coffee.

You don't have to give up coffee completely. However, it should be remembered that too large doses of caffeine are not only harmful to health, but also life-threatening. First of all, the cardiovascular system is affected. Against the background of which the deterioration of the skin of the face is just a concomitant nuisance. The young body is hardy, therefore, you may feel the harm from "coffee addiction" only after a few years. Think ahead: refrain from drinking too much caffeine.

Recently, talk about the dangers of alcohol and smoking has been heard more and more often. However, the phrase "Ministry of Health warns" is still not taken seriously by many. In the twenty-first century, a girl with a cigarette and a glass of beer is no longer surprising. Young people, both women and men, do not see anything wrong with smoking a few cigarettes a day or having a couple of drinks with friends after work, but the fact remains: alcohol and tobacco are harmful to health. Among other things, these toxic substances have a detrimental effect on the skin. Smoking narrows the capillaries, making it difficult for the normal circulation of blood, and consequently, oxygen. The skin of the face suffers from a lack of nutrients, becomes lethargic, pale, wrinkled.

Alcohol leads to dehydration of the body and rapid fading of the skin of the face. Smoking and alcohol can literally age even a young girl for several years. Obviously, all these problems can be avoided by giving up cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.

Natural factors imply the impact of the environment: snow, rain, sun, wind, dust, humidity, heat, cold, etc. Let's talk about each in more detail.

Sun. The sun's rays are essential for healthy skin. Without them, our body, for example, is not able to absorb vitamin D, the deficiency of which causes a number of diseases, including rickets. Under the influence of ultraviolet, melanin begins to be produced more intensively, due to which the skin becomes beautiful and tanned. Sunbathing has a beneficial effect on the condition of oily skin, reduces the number of acne, so it is a big mistake to perceive the sun as an evil enemy of beauty and health. However, excessively long exposure to the sun is really dangerous. The sun's rays dry the skin, provoking early wrinkles, and ultraviolet penetrating into the deeper layers of the skin destroys collagen and elastic fibers, which also has the most unpleasant effect on young skin. Finally, prolonged sunburn can cause skin cancer.

Humidity. When the humidity is low, the skin suffers from dehydration, while the high humidity makes the sweat glands work more actively, which makes the skin oily. Therefore, whatever the level of humidity in the surrounding air, the skin needs regular cleansing and moisturizing.

Low and high temperatures. At low temperatures, the exchange of nutrients and moisture in the skin slows down, so prolonged exposure to low temperatures adversely affects the skin. In the cold season, before going outside, it is recommended to use a special protective cream. If there is no such remedy, you can apply a regular nourishing cream, as long as it is not moisturizing. The fact is that under the influence of low temperatures, the moisturizing substances contained in such a cream freeze, and ice crystals injure the skin from the inside. In the evening, after returning from the cold, a moisturizer will come in handy.

High temperatures also harm the skin: the heat dries it out, contributing to rapid aging. In hot weather, do not forget to apply a moisturizer at least once a day.

Wind. The wind dehydrates the skin, often redness appears on it, the weathered face peels off. In addition, on a windy day, dust rises, which sticks to the face and clogs the skin pores, which leads to acne and blackheads. The situation is aggravated by the fact that strong winds are often accompanied by low humidity and too high or too low air temperatures.

Nourishing and moisturizing products will help protect your face from the wind.

Natural factors that affect the skin of the face differ depending on the season, so skin care must be adjusted according to the season.

And the last. Learn to sleep right! The condition of the skin is affected not only by the duration of sleep, but also by the position of the head during rest. Train yourself to sleep on your back and give up the usual high pillows in favor of orthopedic ones.

The condition and appearance of the skin is the key to our health and well-being. When the skin is healthy, it functions intensively to protect our body from bacteria and viruses, regulates temperature and appearance, feels smooth, not irritated, well hydrated and has a beautiful color.

There are many factors - both internal and external - that affect the health of the skin and how it looks and feels. Some of them we cannot change, but most of them we can. Taking good care of your skin helps keep it healthy and looking younger for longer.

Internal (endogenous) factors

Internal factors that affect the skin include genetics, hormones, and special conditions such as diabetes.

Genetics. Your genetic makeup determines your skin type. The genetic characteristics of a person determine the type of skin (normal, dry, oily or combination) and affect its overall skin condition, as well as cause biological aging of the skin.

Genetic and biological skin aging

Genetics also determine the biological aging of the skin, which is characterized by:

• Deterioration of the process of cell regeneration and their renewal.
• Reducing secretions from the sebaceous and sweat glands.
• Degenerative processes of connective tissue, as a result of which the skin becomes less able to bind water molecules and loses its elasticity.
• Regeneration of elastic fibers, which leads to a decrease in skin elasticity.

Biological skin aging should not be confused with premature skin aging, which is caused by external factors and can be influenced.

Predisposition to skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and ichthyosis is also genetically determined. For example, in those born with a genetic deficiency in filaggrin (a protein found in the skin), the skin has a weak barrier function and is prone to hypersensitivity and atopic dermatitis. With such a tendency, the skin is easier to stress and external influences. Therefore, it is extremely important to adhere to proper daily skin care. Read more in the articles dry skin and atopic dermatitis.

There are diseases, such as diabetes and kidney failure, that can affect the condition of the skin.

Many external factors can affect the skin and lead to skin diseases.

Hormones.

Hormonal changes can affect the skin and cause acne.

Hormones and changes in their levels can have a significant effect on the skin:

• Hormonal changes can cause acne during puberty.
• During pregnancy, hormones can contribute to increased melanin production and a form of hyperpigmentation known as melasma.
• Women's estrogen levels decrease with biological aging and especially after menopause. Estrogen favorably affects the moisture balance in the skin, so its decrease leads to structural changes and age-related atrophy of the skin.

External (exogenous) factors

There are many external factors that affect skin health. These factors are determined by the environment, general health, and the way we live.

Ultraviolet radiation
Free radicals are aggressive molecules that are responsible for the oxidative process that causes damage to cells in body tissues. Healthy skin contains antioxidants that protect it by neutralizing free radicals.

In the epidermis, free radicals are formed mainly due to the negative effects of UV rays. Under normal conditions and under conditions of limited exposure to UV rays, the skin's defense mechanisms are mostly able to cope with the problem. If the sun exposure is prolonged, the defense mechanisms are weakened. The skin becomes sensitive and prone to disease. Exposure to the sun without protection for many years leads to chronic photoinductive damage to the skin, and ultimately to premature skin aging.

Temperature
Extreme temperatures and their rapid change affect the health of the skin.

In cold conditions, the skin reacts by constricting blood vessels to protect the body from losing excess heat. Sustained low temperatures reduce the performance of the sebaceous glands and cause skin irritation and dryness. Read more in the article dry skin.

Cold weather can cause dry skin.

Use warm, not hot water. Hot water can irritate the skin.

In hot and humid environments (such as in tropical countries or in a sauna), sweat glands produce more sweat, keeping the skin moist and shiny, and in some cases lead to acne.

Some skin conditions, such as rosacea, can be caused by high temperatures. This is one of the reasons why it is recommended to use warm rather than hot water for facial cleansing, hand washing and bathing.

Chemical effects on the skin

Aggressive Products
The skin has a slightly acidic natural reaction with a pH of 5. Aggressive cleansers (such as sodium lauryl sulfate and alkaline pH moisturizers) destroy the natural neutralizing properties of the skin, damage the cell structure and reduce the barrier function of the outer layer of the epidermis. As a result, the skin can dry out and become vulnerable to infections and exacerbations of diseases such as atopic dermatitis.

Some types of chemical peels can have a similar effect, so it's important to consult a dermatologist to make sure a particular treatment is right for your skin.

Some people are especially sensitive to aggressive foods:

• Young children and the elderly: Young and old skin is less resistant because the activity of the sebaceous glands is either not yet fully developed or is in decline. Read more in the article skin at different ages.
• Those exposed to chemicals in the workplace: Professionals such as hairdressers, masons and industrial workers are in constant contact with detergents, solvents, varnishes and paints, all substances that are harmful to the skin.

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Harsh chemicals and skin peels can damage the pH balance of the skin. Those who work with chemicals must provide special skin care.

Washing too often
Showering or bathing too often, for too long, and with too hot water results in the loss of the skin's natural moisturizing factors (NMFs) and surface lipids. The skin dries out and becomes rough. Learn more about body skin care and daily facial skin care.

Some medications and medical procedures are known to cause dry skin as a side effect. It is also important to drink plenty of water, especially for older people.

Nutrition
A balanced diet will help keep your skin healthy. There isn't much information out there about which foods are best for keeping skin healthy, but still:

• Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins (fish instead of meat) are very good for the skin.
• A diet rich in vitamin C and low in fat and carbohydrates can help skin look younger.
• Antioxidant-rich foods also have protective properties. These include: yellow and orange fruits and vegetables (eg carrots and apricots), blueberries, green leafy vegetables (eg spinach), tomatoes, peas, beans and lentils, fish (especially salmon), nuts.
• Diets that exclude certain food groups and their nutritional value are not good for skin health. It is also advisable to limit the consumption of sweets and dairy products. Drinking plenty of water is important, especially for the elderly.

There is no clear relationship between nutrition and the causes of acne.

Therapeutic measures
Certain medications (such as chemotherapy, diuretics, laxatives, and lipid-lowering drugs sometimes taken to treat heart disease) and medical procedures (such as radiation therapy and dialysis) can make skin more sensitive and prone to dryness.

Lifestyle for skin health

A healthy lifestyle can help slow down the natural aging process and prevent skin problems:

Avoid stress

Uncontrolled stress can make the skin more sensitive and cause skin problems, including acne. It is necessary to get rid of stress: reduce stress, find time for leisure, and relaxation can help stress.

Exercise
Regular exercise has a positive effect on skin health, as well as on the condition of the body as a whole.

sleep enough
Healthy sleep gives the body a chance to recover and thus promotes skin renewal.

Quit smoking
Tobacco smoke is the main source of free radical formation in the skin. Smoking causes the skin to look older and premature wrinkles appear due to:

• Narrowing of tiny blood vessels in the inner layers of the skin. This reduces blood flow and deprives the skin of oxygen and nutrients such as vitamin A.
• Negative effect on collagen and elastin: fibers that provide firmness and elasticity to the skin.

The skin covers the entire human body and is the largest organ. In addition, it performs certain functions that are of great importance for our body. But there are 5 main factors that can negatively affect the condition of the skin.

1. stress

First, let's recap what stress is. Stress – it is a strong stress to which the body is subjected as a result of certain emotional upheavals. Let's try to catch the connection between stress and the condition of our skin. The fact is that during stress in our body there is an active production of hormones. adrenaline and cortisol, which have a definite negative effect on the skin.

Under the action of adrenaline, the capillaries of the skin undergo spasm. For this reason, the blood begins to stagnate, which leads to the deprivation of its oxygen, as well as essential nutrients. As a result, the skin acquires a pale yellow color. In individual cases, in parallel with the spasm of small vessels of the skin, in areas in the neighborhood, their unexpected expansion occurs, already due to a neurological nature. It manifests itself as stagnant red spots on the skin.

As for cortisol, at the time of stress it is also hostile to our skin, namely, it provokes an increase in the amount of sugar in the blood, the excess of which helps to start processes that change collagen molecules, and hence its properties. On the basis of such transformations, the skin becomes stiff, and the number of wrinkles on it inevitably grows. Cortisol slows down division and reproduction the most important connective tissue cells of the body - fibroblasts, which leads to inhibition of the nucleation of collagen fibers and disruption of their recovery. Against this background, the vulnerability of the skin of a mild degree, its protracted healing with various injuries, thinning and stretch marks are acquired.

Moreover, under the influence of cortisol, the natural production of hyaluronic acid which is an excellent skin moisturizer. Plus, this hormone threatens the importance of the natural skin barrier, which allows moisture to evaporate more intensively. Along with these processes, sensitivity, including photosensitivity of the skin, increases significantly, conditions for its infection and inflammation appear, and dryness occurs.

An excess of this hormone stimulates the formation of fats, which leads to their accumulation in the organs and tissues of the body and increases the production of sebum.

At the time of emotional outbursts, a large amount of histamines (mediators of allergic reactions), which can cause a rash, small pimples, as well as an increase in skin sensitivity to all sorts of irritants.

Constant or prolonged tension during stress provokes cramps in the muscles of the face, therefore, the elastin fibers stretch more than they should, while the skin loses its elasticity.

Quite frequent phenomena that accompany stress are poor-quality sleep and / or its lack. According to the results of scientific studies, it has been proven that the restorative effect of sleep is necessary for the formation of new and renewal of old skin cells. This process is regulated sleep hormone melatonin. Unfortunately, the older a person becomes, the less actively melatonin is produced in his body. Accordingly, the more time we devote to sleep, the younger we will look. Otherwise, the skin tone decreases and there is a significant risk of folds and wrinkles on it.

1. Ecology

It is known that the environmental situation in the whole country and the world is developing rather negatively. The presence of various kinds of pollution (exhaust gases, dust, smog, hard water, etc.) present in the environment also affects the condition of our skin. The most striking skin problems caused by the negative impact of the environment include:

• pallor, lethargy and dryness,
• loss of firmness and elasticity,
• premature wrinkles,
• blockage of pores
• redness,
• allergic manifestations.

• I (Scandinavian)

Thin, light skin. Blond or red hair. Characterized by light eyes and the presence of freckles. Ultraviolet tolerance is minimal - a few minutes after irradiation, the skin burns (an inflammatory process occurs). There is no uniform tan. The use of sunscreen is a must.

• II (light-skinned European)

Light skin and hair. Infrequently, freckles may occur. Eyes of light, gray, blue, green colors. Under the influence of ultraviolet light, the skin burns easily. Achieving a noticeable natural tan is problematic. The use of s / s funds is also a prerequisite.

• III (Central European)

Ivory skin. Dark and light brown hair. Light brown eyes. Skin tans easily. The tan is even. With prolonged exposure to the sun, it can burn. The use of s / s funds is necessary.

• IV (Mediterranean)

Olive skin color. Dark brown, black hair. Dark brown, black eyes. The skin hardly burns. Sunburn occurs quickly and lasts for a long time. The use of s / s funds is necessary for prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation (not so much to prevent burns, but to prevent premature skin aging).

• V (Asian)

Hazel, brown or yellow skin and black hair. The skin never burns. The tan is almost invisible due to the natural color of the skin. There is no need to use s / s funds.

• VI (African)

Dark (black) skin, dark eyes and black hair. The skin also never burns. Natural skin protection from UV rays. There is no need to use s / s funds.

• Over time, melanin tends to accumulate in our skin cells. Because of this, with age, small brown spots appear on it, resembling freckles. These are the so-called dark spots. Unfortunately, getting rid of them is almost impossible. Age spots increase age and make the skin color uneven.
• UV is also known to increase the risk of skin cancer. Also, with regular use of sunbathing or visiting a solarium, small moles are often formed, which are benign neoplasms.

1. Smoking

When smoking, the skin receives a double toxic blow: it suffers from cigarette smoke in principle and is saturated with the harmful components of this smoke when it is inhaled, while being absorbed into the blood and flowing through the blood vessels to skin cells and nerve endings.

While smoking nicotine (an alkaloid found in tobacco) provokes vasoconstriction, which leads to a violation of the supply of oxygen to the tissues. This leads to slow healing of skin lesions, as this process requires a good blood supply. Because of the negative effects of tobacco smoke, people who have this bad habit are most at risk of developing skin cancer and are more likely to relapse. Scars, respectively, in the postoperative period are delayed for a long time. Moreover, tobacco smoke contributes to the formation carboxyhemoglobin in the vessels, which leads to the final deterioration of skin respiration. An interesting fact is that constricted vessels remain in this state for up to 1.5 hours after smoking one cigarette. This suggests that a person who smokes every 1.5 hours creates conditions for constant oxygen starvation for his own skin.

Smoking contributes to the destruction of collagen and elastin fibers, respectively, the firmness and elasticity of the skin is lost. With the constant puckering of the lips and squinting of the eyes under the influence of smoke, smokers develop wrinkles near the mouth, on the forehead and around the eyes. For those who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day, there is such information: the risk of noticeable and deep wrinkles is 5 times higher than in non-smokers, and their appearance occurs much earlier (sometimes with a difference of 20 years!). But the problems don't end with wrinkles. Often smokers are recognizable by the unhealthy condition of the skin of the face, which has a yellowish or gray tint and an expanded capillary network on the nose and cheeks. Their skin is rough and tough.

1. Alcohol

There is one indisputable fact about alcohol: alcohol spoils the appearance of a person before there is a feeling of its effect on the body as a whole. Consider the negative impact of this factor on the condition of our skin.

• Alcohol is known to dilate blood vessels. That is why initially a person has a seemingly harmless blush on his face. However, when alcohol is abused, gluing occurs in the blood red blood cells - erythrocytes, transporting oxygen and, as a result, oxygen starvation of skin cells. If several capillaries are clogged with erythrocyte clots at once, their rupture occurs due to blood pressure. For this reason, a purple vascular network and a bluish-red complexion appear.
• After drinking alcohol, the liver begins to work intensively to process it, and the kidneys to remove decay products. It is for this reason that alcohol has a pronounced diuretic effect. The result is significant dehydration. In this case, first of all, water leaves the subcutaneous fat. The skin becomes dry, dull, loses its former smoothness and earns the appearance of small wrinkles, as well as a more noticeable manifestation of existing ones.
• Regular consumption of alcoholic beverages depletes the reserves of vitamins C and E, which help maintain collagen. Against this background, the contour of the face loses clarity, and in some areas the skin sags. In addition, alcohol reduces the ability of the skin to recover, so the regeneration period due to any damage lasts longer than it could be.
• Alcohol also acts on the hormonal level, namely, it contributes to the restructuring of the hormonal background. In women, for example, the level of male sex hormones becomes higher, as a result of which the skin coarsens, the pores become pronounced. It should be noted that such consequences are very poorly amenable to cosmetic correction.
• When alcohol consumption turns into alcohol abuse, the previously listed signs gain strength and new problems appear: for example, the function of the liver and kidneys suffers, and chronic pathologies of these and other organs appear. As for the skin, there are bags under the eyes, severe puffiness and puffiness of the face.

Useful tips to protect our skin from the influence of negative factors

1) A healthy lifestyle, including:

• no bad habits (smoking, alcohol),
• sound healthy sleep (preferably at the same time),
• proper nutrition (eating foods rich in antioxidants),
• avoiding stressful situations (if possible),
• sports (mainly outdoors),
• any trips outside the city (to nature).

2) Skin care with suitable cosmetic products (moisturizing creams, scrubs, peels, masks, etc.). If possible, it would be useful to visit a beautician. He will help determine your skin type, as well as photosensitivity and select cosmetics for individual care. Here are some tips for skin care in winter and summer:

• In winter, you should very gently cleanse the skin, use products that have moisturizing and softening properties, since microcracks often appear on dry skin, which can cause infection. Although there is one big plus: in winter, especially in frosty weather, the air is very clean and all harmful microbes penetrate the skin to a lesser extent, and some of them simply die.
• As for the summer period, at this time it is necessary to avoid clogging of pores and use light texture products. The same goes for sunscreen. For those who are going to tan: Purchase a quality tanning product with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and use it every day after showering. On the first day, sunbathe for 20 minutes and then gradually increase the amount of time you spend in the sun. Sunbathe in any summer headdress so as not to get sunstroke and not dry out the skin of the face and hair. Cover your shoulders when returning from the beach. Follow the recommended time for tanning, namely before 10:00 and after 16:00, when the sun's rays are soft enough, do not cause burns, the tan lies evenly, and the skin acquires a beautiful bronze tint.

The skin covers the entire surface of the body, its condition largely forms the appearance of a person. Pimples, bumps, rashes, age spots, erupted wrinkles can seriously spoil your mood and even lower self-esteem, deprive yourself of self-confidence. But there is good news: the appearance of the skin can be improved by devoting some of your free time to it.

Skin condition

The human body can be visualized as a complex biochemical process in which the final result is determined by the quality of raw materials and production conditions. In other words, the state of the body, nutrition, lifestyle, environment, relationships with other people are reflected in the skin.

Ideal facial skin is the result of the harmonious functioning of all organs, proper nutrition, physical training, lack of stress and competent care.

If you have skin problems:

• make sure that the digestive organs are healthy;
• cleanse the body of toxins that interfere with the absorption of useful elements from food and prevent the elimination of toxins;
• normalize nutrition;
• Use special care according to your skin type.

The health of the digestive organs will be assessed by the doctor, if necessary, prescribe treatment and dietary nutrition. After that, it is necessary to remove toxins under the supervision of a specialist; in diseases of the stomach, liver, kidneys, intestines, it can be dangerous to health. Cosmetics do not solve problems, they only temporarily mask defects. Changing your eating habits is where you can start taking action on your own.

Nutrition

A lot is said about proper nutrition today, its basic principles are known, briefly:

• exclude fatty, spicy, salty, fried crisps from the daily menu;
• enrich the diet with vegetables and fruits, cereals, legumes, seafood;
• give preference to lean meat;
• eggs, cheeses, seaweed, liver, fresh juices, nuts, olive oil should become familiar products;
• Vitamins, minerals and "healthy" fatty acids can be obtained from food or in the form of special supplements.

Proper nutrition and cleansing of the body will create the basis on which it makes sense to use cosmetic skin care products.

Cosmetics

The use of cosmetic preparations allows you to take care of the skin from the outside, supplement it with the necessary elements and protect it from external influences. Therefore, it is important that cosmetic care is appropriate for the type of skin. The main stages: cleansing, toning, nutrition (or moisturizing).

• cleansing is necessary in the morning and evening, washing or special means. This removes cosmetics, dust, fatty particles;
• tonic normalizes the acid-base ratio, removes dirt residues, promotes better penetration of cosmetics;
• nourishing cream saturates the skin with useful substances, it is applied in the evening;
• moisturizing cream maintains the elasticity and firmness of the skin, applied during the day.

For skin care, you can use special creams, lotions, masks or turn to nature, resort to folk remedies.

Herbal decoctions, sour cream, honey, egg, oatmeal, vegetable, fruit, berry mixtures are very effective with regular use.

What else

All points are fulfilled, the skin condition has improved, but is still far from ideal, what else? Bad habits interfere.

1. 1. Sedentary lifestyle, pallor and sagging skin. Physical exercises, walks in the fresh air in the park or in the forest, massage, daily cool showers will help improve blood flow and metabolic processes in the body. The elasticity of the skin will increase, a pleasant blush will appear.
2. 2. Smoking and alcohol destroy the body and are reflected on the face. Dark circles under the eyes, grayish, oxygen-depleted skin, early wrinkles - this is what these “bad”, but so loved by some habits lead to. It is necessary to part with them.

1. 3. Stress is a special cause that needs attention. The ability to resist the problems that have piled up, to perceive them as an obstacle that can be stepped over, not to erect impenetrable walls in your thoughts, to be positive and cheerful will help you overcome any stress. Cultivate these qualities, make plans, think about the happy moments of life, love loved ones and do not communicate, if possible, with negative people.
2. 4. Water is essential for healthy skin, so drink plenty of it. Lack of fluid leads to dry skin and premature formation of wrinkles. Freshly squeezed juice, green tea, herbal decoctions are all good, but it is better to drink clean water, it is what the skin needs. If the quality of the water is questionable, you can drink melted water by freezing it in a conventional freezer. It is useful during the day, especially during dry periods, to irrigate the face with mineral or clean water using a spray bottle.

Go in for sports, give up bad habits, radiate positive, and you will be successful. Stay beautiful and healthy!