In a recent blog entry, we noted that one of the key factors to looking great is good skin and provided tips on how to keep your skin healthy. If you missed that article, you can read it here. Have you been following these tips and still find yourself with skin woes? Maybe you didn’t know about some of these surprising things that can ruin your skin!

Caffeine. Are you a caffeine addict like me? I must have my coffee every morning in order to get through the day. However, caffeine is a mild diuretic, which means that it causes you to get rid of the water in your body. This, in turn, leads to dry skin. So if you drink a lot of coffee daily, remember to also drink lots of water in order to keep your skin hydrated. Drinking at least 8 cups of water a day will keep the wrinkles away and fight off aging!

Wash off your makeup. Going to sleep and leaving your makeup on overnight can lead to clogged pores (causing acne), and not to mention leaves makeup residue all over your pillow case. Dirty pillow cases also can contain bacteria and other stuff that can cause you to break out, so make sure you wash your pillow cases and don’t go to sleep without washing your face. A great thing to have handy are makeup remover wipes, so even if you are too tired to wash your face, just keep these by your bed so you can just wipe your face before going to sleep!

Sugar. Fight that sweet tooth! We all know that too much candy and sugar is bad for your teeth (and weight), but it’s also surprisingly bad for your skin. When you eat more sugar than your body needs, it can make your skin dull and wrinkled because it harms the collagen in your skin. So rather than reaching for sweets, eat fruit instead. Your body and skin (and teeth!) will thank you down the line.

Eating healthy and exercising will also help keep your body and skin in tip top shape. With the right diet, skin care regime, and exercise, you will be well on your way to looking great for your age. What other surprising things have you found that can ruin your skin? Share your tips and comments below!