8 Bad Skin Care Habits You Don’t Realize You Have
The older we get, the more we come to understand just how important good skin care is. We’re not in our 20’s anymore, right? We can’t just sleep with a full face of makeup on and not worry about the repercussions. It took me a good long while to finally find the skin care routine that worked for me. But even with the time and money spent on my skin, there are moments of self-sabotage. These bad skin care habits can wreak havoc on your face, even with the best products in your arsenal.
1. Bad skin care habits can really set you back. One of the worst culprits? Not getting enough sleep.
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Yes, yes, we KNOW. Sleep is important for so many things, like feeling like a functional human being and not wanting to murder everyone in your path. But sleep is also good for your skin. When you’re young, your skin can rebound a bit better. But we’re not young anymore, guys. Not getting enough sleep can dull your skin and make those fine lines appear deeper and more obvious. So put down your phone, turn off the TV, and sleep those wrinkles away.
2. Another bad skin care habit: you’re not cleaning your makeup brushes and sponges enough.
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Listen, you spent a lot of money of those brushes, so taking care of them is essential! Not only will good brush maintenance keep them at their best for longer, it will also protect your face. Dirty brushes are teeming with bacteria, and every time you use them, you’re just rubbing that shit all over your skin. Spritz your brushes once a week with a brush cleanser, and do a deep clean once a month with a gentle soap or shampoo.
3. Washing your face is good, right? Well, overcleansing is one of those bad skin care habits you may not even realize you’re doing.
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Yes, you ABSOLUTELY need to wash your face every night. But, that’s actually quite enough (unless you’re all sweaty after a workout, which we’ll talk about it a bit). Overcleansing can seriously dry out your skin and strip it of its natural oils. A good wash with a gentle cleanser at night and a rinse with cool water in the morning is really all you need.
4. You’re not using enough SPF on that pretty face of yours.
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In your head, you’re probably thinking: I use SPF 50 on my face, so I don’t need to reapply! Well, you’d be wrong. You STILL need to put plenty on, and reapply regularly. Sun damage is brutal (no one wants sun spots on their face, right?), and skin cancer is a very real danger. Make sure to apply a good amount in the morning, and don’t just rely on the SPF protection in your makeup! Your moisturizer should also have a sunscreen in it.
5. More bad skin care habits: you’re scrubbing away your skin’s good stuff.
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No one loves a good scrub more than me. But some exfoliating scrubs can be way too harsh on your skin. Avoid gritty scrubs that may contain kernels or seeds. These can irritate your skin and cause inflammation, which can lead to clogged pores. Instead, opt for a gentler scrub with microbeads or sugar.
6. One major bad skin habit we’re ALL guilty of: picking at our skin.
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I blame Dr. Pimple Popper! It’s so hard NOT to pop a pimple or sit in front of the mirror squeezing out blackheads. SO VERY HARD. But picking at blemishes can traumatize your skin and lead to scabs and scars. Not to mention, you’re probably just spreading the bacteria around your face. Treat blemishes with a spot treatment that contains benzoyl peroxide, and keep up with your cleansing routine to keep your face free of dirt, oils, and toxins that cause breakouts.
7. Overindulging isn’t good for much, but especially your skin.
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We’ve all had a few too many drinks one night, let’s be honest. And while one raucous night isn’t going to do much damage, regular overindulgence definitely can. Too much booze, sugar, carbs, and salt can do a real bad number on your face. Too much alcohol dehydrates and inflames your skin, and can strip it of its natural luster. Same with salt and coffee, sad to say. And sugar can break down the collagen and elastin in your skin, causing wrinkles over time.
8. You worked out, but didn’t shower or wash your face right after.
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Listen, with hectic days, you get your workout in where you can! That means you may not always be able to shower or wash your face and reapply your makeup right after. But letting sweat and dirt and bacteria sit on your skin can be disastrous. Not just for your face, either! No one wants that dreaded boob or back-ne, right? If you can’t shower right after a workout, make sure to change your clothes, and wipe down with a cleansing wipe to remove the grime.
These bad skin care habits might be sabotaging your good skin care routine! So make sure you’re not falling into their traps. Keep that face fresh, ladies.
(Image: iStock / DragonImages)
