What's your skin story? 10 things you didn’t know were damaging your skin

A Thick Skin

It’s (still) winter in Canada, which means we all have the same thing on our minds: our skin. More specifically, a lot of us are thinking about what the winter weather is doing to our skin, and how to combat the negative effects of cold temperatures. (Hello, moisturizer.)

But while we’re busy stocking up on Biosheer’s Rejuvenating Gel Serum, there’s a bunch of other things damaging our skin that we didn’t even know should be on our radar until recently (like coffee and hair products). 

It’s 2021, after all, so it probably comes as no surprise that most of the things we enjoy in life are, in fact, bad for us. And while we’re not about to give up our morning coffee or piping hot showers (how else are we supposed to wake up?), there are ways to alleviate — or maybe even undo — the damage.

As always, we’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Read on to learn about the 10 things you didn’t know were damaging your skin, and what you can do to take better care of it.

Smoke Out 

Again, in 2021, it goes without saying that smoking is terrible for you. But beyond the risk of lung cancer, the toxins in cigarettes damage collagen and elastin in the skin, which are basically the two main components responsible for keeping us looking young.

There are a few ways that a person’s skin story can give away their smoking habit: the appearance of “smokers’ lines” around the mouth, which come from repeatedly pursing the lips around the end of the cigarette; saggy skin; an orange or grey tone to the skin, otherwise known as “staining”; and skin diseases and conditions such as skin cancer, palmoplanter pustulosis (which is a type of psoriasis that smokers are more prone to), boil-like nodules known as acne inversa, as well as other visible side effects.

And speaking of lip-pursing problems, if you thought you were in the clear of the aforementioned smokers’ lines because you’re not a smoker, we have bad news for you: straw users are at risk, too. Basically, using anything that makes you repeatedly pucker your mouth is a no-go if you want to avoid premature fine lines and wrinkles.

In the Air 

Speaking of that which we breathe, cigarette smoke isn’t the only thing polluting our bodies. We’ve all heard that increased global warming means we need to slather on the sunscreen. But it turns out that it’s not just the sun’s rays we need to worry about: The actual air touching our skin is also out to get us. It’s full of environmental pollutants, which we know about because they’re eating away at our ozone layer. They’re also causing our skin to age more rapidly, and increasing the frequency of conditions like dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, acne, and skin cancer.

While it's hard to protect yourself from air pollutants, it's important to always remove your makeup and wash your face at the end of the day, to wipe away grime that collects as you go about your life. Plus, exfoliating is also a great way to prevent pollutants from building up on the surface of your skin.

Java Jitters 

OK, so you're probably reading this while sipping your first cup of the day (#sorrynotsorry). It’s fine, though, because coffee’s not all bad for our skin. In fact, applied topically, you’ll be looking all kinds of radiant. But because when we say we’re “bathing” in it, we don’t mean it literally, here are two less-than-savoury side effects your morning brew has to offer:

• Acne: Too much caffeine can raise your stress levels, which can result in stress-induced acne. Don’t worry, though — “too much” means more than four or five cups per day, and frankly, if you’re having that much coffee, we’re betting that of your 99 problems, your skin ain’t No. 1.

• Dehydration: Ever noticed that you’re thirstier after you've had your coffee than you were before? That’s because caffeine, like alcohol, is a dehydrator, and your skin will feel those effects, too.

Feeling Hot

Anyone who’s ever rolled out of bed to face a cold, dark winter morning knows the absolute bliss of a long, hot shower. Unfortunately, that shower is drying out your skin, increasing the potential for irritation and, in some cases, full-blown eczema.

Taking frequent piping hot showers truly is the definition of choosing short-term gain over long-term pain, since "any skin condition characterized by a defective skin barrier can be worsened by a hot shower," according to dermatologists. (Not to mention, prolonged time under hot water can also have negative effects on hair.)

Basically, the hot water strips your external body of sebum, healthy fats and oils, ultimately dehydrating your skin. Even if you don't suffer from skin conditions, derms say even the healthiest skin can be aggravated or damaged from excessive exposure to hot water. Doctors recommend keeping shower water at a lukewarm temperature, and if you absolutely must make it piping hot, keep your showers to a maximum of five minutes.

Stop the Scrub

We don’t want to alarm you first thing in the morning, but know this before you exfoliate today: Exfoliating too often, or even pressing too hard while scrubbing, is the equivalent of a first- or second-degree burn on your skin(!). So while it seems like a great way to remove all the dirt and grime that builds up during the daily slog, definitely don't do it every day. 

Most experts recommend exfoliating two or three times per week at the very most, but the best advice is to listen to your skin. If it looks and feels irritated post-scrub, give it a break. Try both chemical and physical exfoliants, and determine which solution is right for your skin needs. Often, chemical exfoliants (despite their name) can be more gentle than physical.

Halt the Hairspray 

We know we said we wouldn’t judge anyone for their bad habits, but if you’re someone who’s been setting their makeup with hairspray or using it to keep brows in place, we have two words for you: Please stop. Hair products that are meant to keep those flyaways in check contain repellants that you do not want on your skin, since they leave it dry, itchy, red, bumpy, and just generally looking older. In other words, keep the spray on top of your head — not your face.

Go Blue

Yes, we know too much screen time is bad for us, blah blah blah. But while we knew it was messing with our sleep schedules and posture, we didn’t peg it as a skin-killer. Before screens, we experienced the most blue-light exposure from the sun, but now it’s like we’re all constantly holding mini-suns in front of our faces on the daily.

Like sun damage, blue light damage is cumulative, meaning you won’t notice it right away. Be on the lookout for brown spots, hyperpigmentation, excess wrinkles, and laxity. (Here’s a super easy way to test if your skin’s elasticity is loosening over time: Pinch the skin on the back of your hand for five seconds, then let go and time how long it takes to bounce back into place. The shorter the recovery time, the “younger” your skin is!)

The good news is, there are ways to prevent inevitable blue light exposure from damaging your skin, including using topical antioxidants, SPF, and other skincare products. More on that below.

Pillow Talk

We confess that we’ve spent most nights over the last year tossing and turning so much that we’re not too worried about this for ourselves, but for those who are lucky enough to hit the pillow and stay there, you might want to consider switching it up a bit. Repeatedly lying on the same side all night long can increase wrinkles and creases on just that side (and frankly, if we’re bound to develop wrinkles as we age, we’d rather they spread out a little bit).

The Window Seat

Though planes are mostly grounded, bear this in mind the next time you fly: You might think that layer of glass between you and the sun is protecting you, and it’s true that you probably won’t come off your flight or out of a long drive with a sunburn — but there’s nothing protecting you from UVA radiation, which penetrates the skin on a much deeper level. UVA is responsible for permanent, or long-term, genetic damage to the skin cells and is the culprit behind most skin cancers and premature aging. Basically, if you leave the house ever, you need to apply sunscreen. Period.

Time for an About-Face

Now, if you’ve made it this far, there are two things you should know. First, you can go ahead and refill your coffee mug (we need a refill, too). Second, even though it seems like simply existing is detrimental to our skin, the truth is that all the damage we just talked about is 100% avoidable.

Apart from the easy fixes, like opting for an aisle seat on your next flight or drinking your cold brew straw-free, there are tons of products available with the sole purpose of protecting our bodies’ own protective layer.

When it comes to our own skincare regimen, we turn time and time again to the Biosheer Stem Cell Collection. It’s clinically proven to turn back the signs of aging using scientifically formulated phytonutrient and protein-rich Swiss apple stem cell extract to prolong the longevity of our own skin cells, and proprietary DST-10 stem cell technology to help restore the skin's collagen levels back to normal.