We all want healthy, beautiful skin, don’t we? And to reach that goal, we use different products in our routines, follow any and all skin care tips, and choose all sorts of expensive treatments. But have you ever thought that the things you do every day could be hurting your skin?
It’s true. There are some things we do that make our skin problems worse and keep us from having the beautiful skin we want. Here are some very common things we all do that are bad for our skin and should be avoided. Once you give up these habits, your skin will thank you for it!
Photo by Tara Winstead
Picking At Your Skin
If you’re one of the many people who find it all but impossible not to pick at a spot on their face, it’s time to do your best to give up this habit. The thing to remember is that if you have spots and leave them alone, most of the time, they’ll disappear in a day or two – at the most (acne is a different matter and sometimes calls for additional help from a dermatologist, of course). If, however, you pick at that spot, it will last a lot longer, and in some cases, it will last forever in the form of a scar.
Although it’s going to be a challenge, keep this thought in mind when you notice a new zit and keep your hands away from your face. If you must touch your face, ensure your hands are immaculate to prevent spreading bacteria across and into your pores.
Not Washing Your Face Before Bed
By the time bedtime rolls around, many of us are too tired to do much more than brush our teeth and fall into bed. However, it’s important to ensure we wash our faces too. It’s absolutely vital we do this if we’re wearing makeup, but even without makeup, it’s a good idea. Washing your face before bed means you’re removing makeup and the dust and dirt that builds up during the day. You might not be able to see this grime, but it’s there, and it can cause breakouts or redness. At the very least, it will cause your skin to look dull and unhealthy.
By taking an extra twenty seconds to wash your face with a cleansing wash and pat it dry, you’re doing a lot of good for yourself. It will soon become a good habit that you’ll do without thinking.
Using Old Makeup
When was the last time you looked at your makeup collection and noticed the expiry dates? Maybe it’s time to look now. You might be surprised to find that you’ve been using some old (perhaps very old!) makeup.
Why is this a bad thing? To begin with, these products won’t work as well after a time, meaning you’ll have to put more on your face to have an effect – the more makeup you use, the less your skin can breathe, and the worse it will look when you’re not wearing makeup. On top of that, preservatives within the makeup can break down, and when that happens, bacteria forms. In other words, you might be literally applying bacteria to your face when you put on your makeup – not a pleasant (or healthy) thought.
Your makeup brushes are bad news, too, if they are old. They will become harder and harder to clean, and the old makeup stuck in them could cause acne and infections.
Therefore, it’s a good idea to check the expiry dates on your makeup and adhere to them even if it seems as though everything is still fine. Plus, get a new makeup brush set every three to six months to be on the safe side.
Making Your Shower Too Hot
If you have sensitive skin, a hot shower may actually make things worse because the water will dry up your pores and increase your skin’s sensitivity.
When exposed to hot water, skin becomes more red and sensitive because more blood is being pumped to the surface. Inflamed regions caused by acne or rosacea might also be made worse. Instead, try to keep the water between lukewarm and cool, especially when washing your face.
Not Wearing Sunscreen In The Winter
If there is one thing on this list that almost everyone is at least a little guilty of, it has to be this. After all, wearing sunscreen in the winter doesn’t seem necessary because there is little to no chance of sunburn.
However, although it might feel as though the sun is not as intense in the winter, the truth is the UV rays can still be causing damage – more so than in the summer, perhaps, if you wear sunscreen when it’s hot but not when it’s cold.
The issue is that sun damage, or photodamage, can hasten the formation of aging indications like fine lines and wrinkles when your skin isn’t protected from the sun using sunscreen. Whatever the weather, you should never forego applying sunscreen. It shields your skin from the sun’s potentially cancerous rays, so you can go about your day in peace.
