1. You're using too much moisturizer: There actually IS a point where the lotion is not doing anything but clogging your pores. With most lotions, you should just put a pea sized amount on each cheek, chin, and forehead, then blend. More lotion does not equal more moisture.
2. You're not using any/enough moisturizer: In the winter especially, dry skin causes a build up of dead skin cells, which in turn, clogs your pores. Make sure to moisturize in the morning and before you go to bed at night, regardless of your skin type. The air is dry and is sucking the moisture out of your skin whether you realize it or not!
3. Over exfoliation: When your skin is dry, if you over exfoliate it could leave your skin raw (almost like a raspberry burn). Exfoliating 2-3 times a week is healthy, however any more than that and you are striping your skin of essential oils that it needs to be healthy.
4. You're not using SPF daily: Don't let the temperature outside fool you. Just by driving in your car, sitting by the window in Starbucks, walking in to work, etc. you are catching unnecessary UVA/UVB rays. Unfortunately, it is a lose, lose situation because they are not even the kind that tans your skin.
5. You haven't gone to a dermatologist this year: No excuse. You should be getting yearly skin checks. What you might think is an innocent mole could possibly be deadly. Melanoma's are not just from the sun, meaning all of us are at risk.
6. Falling asleep with your makeup on: I know there have been many drunk nights that we are guilty of this, but it is extremely avoidable. Keep a pack of face wipes on your night stand so that no matter how tired you are, it is convenient to remove all the make up from your face. Not only can falling asleep with make up on lead to breakouts, but when make up settles in to the skin over night and is pushed around by the tossing and turning it can produce fine lines and wrinkles.
7. Taking too long, and too hot of showers: I am completely guilty of this one. However, staying in the shower for too long compromises your lipid layer which holds in all of the moisture.
8. Your sleeping position: Since skin is super dry during the winter you will probably notice that when you wake up in the morning it is taking just a little bit longer for those fine lines to disappear. Sleep on your back to avoid impounding the fine lines, which pretty soon will take longer and longer to go away, until they are permanent.
9. You're not drinking enough water: This is critical all year long, however in winter it is important enough to scream from the roof tops. Water flushes all of the impurities out of your skin, so you should pretty much have a water bottle at hand all day long. Yes, this means drinking even when you are not thirsty.
10. You're not taking a multivitamin: There are many things that warm temperatures do for our health and skin that we cannot get otherwise. From moisture all the way to producing endorphins, multivitamins will compensate for everything we are missing out on for 4-6 months.
