When we purchase a new car, we often take great pride in making sure it stays ‘new’ as long as possible. You probably give it a weekly washing, keep it clutter-free, with rules such as no eating, drinking, or smoking in it, right? The reason is because we spent a great deal of money on it and we treat it as if it’s an investment, even though it depreciates.

The idea is that most people want to see their money, or ‘investment’ last …to make it worthwhile. There are many areas that this is true such as furniture, clothing, jewelry, and artwork. However, there is another area that I want to talk about in this article. Our skin.

If you don’t view your skin as an asset, you might want to rethink that, because it is. It’s the only skin you will ever have in your life. Or, perhaps you value your skin and pamper it with appropriate skincare. But, are you making sure you are taking other steps in your life to assure best results in this investment?

Some people go to the trouble of getting expensive treatments, such as laser treatments for ‘age spots’ and acne, yet don’t pay attention to other factors that can work against those procedures. Maybe you are one who has purchased expensive skincare products, or have gone through treatments, but haven’t been told about the many things that will be counter-productive in your efforts.

I am going to share some common areas in our lives that can negatively affect our skin, so that you have the best chance of making the most of your investment.

1. Avoid Certain Foods and Beverages

There are a few skin conditions that are affected by food and beverage, such as acne, psoriasis, rosacea, and even dry skin. Now, don’t get me wrong…these conditions are not necessarily caused by foods and beverages, but can be aggravated by them.

When it comes to food and beverage, the biggest culprits in these skin disorders are fatty foods and caffeine. But, even spicy and hot foods can trigger conditions such as rosacea, a reddening of the facial area.

It’s best to eat a healthy and well-balanced diet, regardless of your skin. But, to have the best skin possible, limit the ‘bad’ foods as much as possible…and, drink plenty of water.

2. Vices to Limit or Avoid Completely

Hmmm…vices, we all seem to have them, don’t we? For me, it’s coffee. I love my coffee, even though I know it’s not the best for me, including my skin. However, in addition to using sensitive skin care products, I also counter my coffee intake with doubling up on water. In other words, for every cup of coffee I have, I drink twice the amount in water.

Other areas of concern are alcohol and tobacco. Both are incredibly dehydrating to the skin, more so than caffeine. So, again, if you are not going to avoid it all together, limit the amount you take in…then counter it with tons of water.

3. Tanning for Minutes can Mean Damage for Life

I used to be a tanning nut…meaning; I laid out in the sun for hours with baby oil. Sunscreen? Surely not, because in my teens, having the darkest tan was the most important thing in the summer months. Unfortunately, it catches up. I can see the signs in my skin, with various age spots creeping up and a few more wrinkles than my mom did at this age.

I can’t go back in time to put sunscreen on. But, I can certainly apply it now, and to my children as well. For just a few weeks of tan, it can bring a life of premature aging. So, if you are spending money on skincare products…or procedures to make your skin supple and beautiful, don’t blow it by forgetting the sunscreen. Here are a few other ideas to help avoid the damaging sun:

• Wear a hat
• Use a full sunblock
• Stay inside during peak sun hours
• Avoid long exposure to the sun

If you have a special event, where you would prefer to look tan, consider a self-tanning cream, rather than risking more damage to your skin.

4. Treatments after Treatments

Finally, if you are going to the trouble of getting treatments for various skin disorders, or even to fight aging, make sure you compliment them with the appropriate skincare. For example, if you receive laser treatments for rosacea, or acne, follow it up with products to reduce the inflammation and redness.

The person performing the treatment can advise you on which products to use. In addition to professional products, you can also combat inflammation and redness with natural products, such applying plain yogurt on the skin for about 10-15 minutes, then rinsing.

In Closing

I think a common misunderstanding about skincare is that it’s the end-all cure for problematic skin. Even though it helps, it’s not. You really need to protect your investment by not taking counter-productive steps, which will negate the benefits.

Sophie Evans is a freelance writer, who often writes on products and topics she discovers online. For example, she was browsing through http://www.mysensitiveskincare.com, when she decided to write a series on skin care. Sophie resides in Balboa Beach, California, with her husband Rick and their two children. She is a huge fan of Disneyland, and admits to being a Starbucks addict.