Tuesday, July 21, 2026

"Could I Be at Risk Too?" Three Skin-Damaging Habits to Check Before Using Expensive Cosmetics [Smart Wellness]

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2026-07-20 10:44:52
Updated
2026-07-20 10:44:52
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[Financial News] In the middle of summer, skin becomes more easily fatigued and sensitive than ever. It is time to check the bad habits we have been repeating without thinking. From sleep habits that miss the skin's golden time for regeneration to behaviors that weaken the skin barrier, we have gathered the harmful habits that can speed up skin aging without you realizing it, along with solutions to fix them.
Going to bed late and applying products late... Habits that miss the skin's golden time

Skin is shaped by everyday habits. These include when you go to sleep, how you care for your skin after washing your face, and whether you use sunscreen.
Expertssay that going to bed early is the most basic of basicsfor maintaining healthy skin. That is because the hours between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. are when recovery is most active, not only for the skin but for the whole body. If your usual bedtime is after 2 a.m., it can lead to side effects such as skin problems, hair loss and chronic fatigue. Does that mean you only need to fall asleep within that window? Not exactly. The body recovers most dramatically during deep sleep, which begins about one to one and a half hours after falling asleep. In other words, you need to be in deep sleep between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.
If you follow this rule well, the skin can more effectively recover from daytime UV damage and normalize its regeneration cycle, activating functions such as shedding dead skin cells and producing new ones. Another benefit is that cortisol, the stress hormone that can trigger inflammation, make skin red and sensitive, and increase sebum production, decreases during sleep.How to care for your skin after cleansingMore precisely, it is also important to follow the right timing for skin care. After washing your face with a cleanser made from chemical ingredients, not only makeup residue and sebum but also the oil layer that protects the skin's surface is removed. That is why you should apply moisturizer right away to protect the skin.
If you leave your face to dry after wiping off the water, the skin will continue to dry out. The drier it gets, the more the skin interprets it as a crisis. In response, it may increase sebum production in an effort to protect itself. If you do not apply moisturizer, tiny cracks can form on the skin's surface, creating an easy pathway for allergens and bacteria to enter. The risk of dermatitis also rises.
UV rays are unavoidable, even during the rainy season... Essential indoors too

During the rainy season,you may think there is no need to apply sunscreen. But that is a very complacent view. Dermatologists rank ultraviolet rays as the No. 1 cause of skin aging. UV rays are broadly divided into UVA and UVB, and UVA, which causes wrinkles and pigmentation, pours down regardless of the season or weather. In other words, it affects the skin even on cloudy or rainy days.
Dermatologists warn that prolonged exposure to UV rays can lead not only to wrinkles and pigmentation, but also, over time, to a higher risk of skin cancer. That is why sunscreen is essential not only in the hot summer sun, but all year round, on rainy days, cloudy days and even indoors. Applying it in the morning does not mean you can feel safe for the rest of the day. The rule is to reapply sunscreen every two hours.
The way to make life healthier and more vibrant is not far away. [Smart Wellness] shares practical wisdom for caring for both body and mind, based on scientific evidence and the latest trends. If you subscribe to the reporter page, you can conveniently receive [Smart Wellness].

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