3 Silent Saboteurs Undermining Your Skincare Success

Having healthy skin isn’t just about looking great. Okay, if we’re honest, there’s definitely a little vanity at the heart of keeping a skincare routine. But, our skin is also a reflection of overall wellness. Good skin can be a sign you’re doing a lot of other things right.

Yet, there might be elements working against your skin health. While they’re not literally plotting against the downfall of your health, their presence in your life can still be pretty disruptive. So, let’s explore some of the skincare saboteurs that may not always be obvious.

The Environment

The environment you live in can influence your skin. Granted, if you live in a city it may not exactly be as silent a saboteur as you’d like. Still, understanding the connections between your body and the world around you can benefit your holistic health, including the health of your skin.

Water Quality

Most of us know that water is essential to survival, but water quality can impact your health in different and often unexpected ways. Contaminated water is a particular concern for many communities at the moment. Long-term exposure to water-soluble toxins like those found in Flint, Michigan may lead to behavioral and mental health challenges. On the relatively mild end of the scale, though, contaminated water can lead to skin irritation.

More commonly, if you live in an area with hard water and it’s rich in minerals, washing or bathing could cause breakouts and dryness. There are a couple of ways to minimize the skin damage from water, though. Home water purifiers can remove contaminants in your local system. For daily face washing, using distilled or bottled water can be a good alternative to hard tap water. Incorporating regular moisturizing into your skincare routine can also help lock in the hydration that some contaminants strip away.

Air Pollution

Air pollution can damage your skin. This is a problem that many Black women face, as studies show that Black and minority communities face a disproportionately high exposure to air pollution. Regular exposure can lead to skin dehydration and disrupt your skin’s microbiome. Smog may also cause build-ups that cause acne.

If you live in an industrial area or a space with a lot of traffic, there are a few things you can do. Install air filters in your home to improve your indoor air quality. Filters also cut down on allergens that may exacerbate skin allergies. In your skincare routine, regularly using moisturizers can help create a protective barrier against pollution. Probiotics and prebiotics may also help maintain your skin’s microbiome. Be wary of skincare products that are branded “anti-pollution”, though. This isn’t a regulated term and some brands try to take advantage of your needs.

Mental Wellness

Psychological conditions can undermine the health and appearance of your skin. Stress is a particularly common influence on skin conditions. Acne, psoriasis, and eczema are all noted as being triggered or worsened by stressful experiences. For Black women, another common outcome of stress is hyperpigmentation, which is a form of post-inflammatory blemish.

Naturally, it’s best to address mental wellness challenges at the source by minimizing your exposure to stressful or psychologically difficult experiences. But, living in the real world as we all do, completely avoiding these isn’t always possible.

This gives self-care for Black women extra significance. Focusing on yourself and your well-being is a great stress management tool. Getting regular exercise and making time for your hobbies is a solid start. Directly related to your skin, though, a daily care regime can help you apply natural products to your skin for prevention and protection. For eczema, an all-over butter therapy formula can minimize breakouts, while brightening facial grains can help tackle hyperpigmentation.

Beyond directly managing your skin, your regime is a meditative activity. You’re focused purely on the repetitive yet soothing act of performing your routine and showing some love to your body. It’s also a chance to mentally check in with yourself.

It’s also wise to involve professionals in your care. Therapists, particularly those with a deep understanding of the lived experiences of Black women, can help you address the psychological aspects. You can pair this with consulting a dermatologist, which is a good step for those who have acne, psoriasis, or eczema. This is particularly important if your skin conditions are persistent. Letting them know about the challenges you face can lead to direct treatments and advice about how to manage your skin type on the road to holistic healing.

Diet

What you eat and drink can affect your skin. There’s still a lot of misinformation flying around about this issue, though. For instance, there’s a lack of clinical research to support the popular idea that gluten can trigger skin conditions. Getting a good idea of what aspects of your diet can affect your skin is a good way to make healthier choices.

For instance, be mindful of high glycemic index (GI) foods. GI numbers basically tell you how likely a food is to raise blood sugar levels. Carbohydrates like potatoes, white bread, and rice are considered high-GI. Evidence suggests that consuming too many high-sugar and high-GI foods can influence skin conditions, like acne. Though, there’s still more research to be done on its impact on specific ethnic groups. The inflammation caused by acne might also lead to hyperpigmentation.

Another part of your diet to consider is alcohol. The occasional drink is usually fine, but everything in moderation. Alcohol has a diuretic effect that may cause dehydration. This, in turn, can trigger or worsen dryness-related skin conditions and sensitivity.

Various parts of your life can affect your skin in subtle ways. By understanding the impact of the world around you and being mindful about what you put in your body, you can make decisions that boost your skin and overall health. Talk to others in the community about this issue, too. They may be able to make recommendations based on their own experiences.