- Healthy
lifestyle choices can effect yourskin just as much as products. - A
dermatologist recommends cutting down on caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate the skin.
Healthy lifestyle changes may leave you with an unexpected benefit: healthy, glowing skin.
Dr. Nava Greenfield, a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC, told Insider overall wellness can be just as important as
Greenfield said cutting down on coffee and alcohol and incorporating new habits, like protecting your skin from the sun and
Cut down on coffee and alcohol, and drink more water
Caffeine and alcohol are both fine in moderation, but they can dry out the skin.
"Drink less coffee and alcohol," Greenfield told Insider. "Coffee is a diuretic and both of those can cause dehydration, so unless you are making up for it in very generous water consumption, your skin will suffer," Greenfield told Insider.
For some people, dehydration can send their oil glands into overdrive, causing more acne and greasiness. For others, dehydration means very dry skin, which can lead to flakiness, irritation, and premature aging.
For more hydration, drink at least nine glasses of water a day, or 125 ounces of fluids (fl. oz.).
Protect your skin from the sun
Dr. Muneeb Shah, a dermatologist with over 12.1 million followers on TikTok, previously told Insider sunscreen is a skincare staple, but you can modify what you're wearing to help prevent skin damage too.
Using hats, sunglasses, and other accessories to block out the sun can protect against premature aging and skin cancer, Greenfield said.
"Add more sun protection, especially to your face. You can't go wrong with more sun protection and you will be happy in years to come with less sun damage, less wrinkles, and less discoloration (and less skin cancer) that UV exposure leads to," she said.