The skin is the largest organ on the body, and for this reason, it should be well looked after. Each and every day we expose our skin to the elements, and things that could potentially damage our skin permanently if we aren’t careful. In fact, many people actually commit skin sins that can easily be avoided.
Want to know if you’re committing some of the biggest skin sins there is? Read on to find out what you need to give up:
1. Smoking
Smoking is probably the biggest skin sin out there that you should give up. If you’re a smoker, you probably don’t need this post to tell you just how bad it is for you – you’ve probably had it for a while off your friends, family members, and perhaps even your doctor.
They want you to stop with good reason. While smoking might be a good way for you to pass the time, it causes all kinds of problems with the skin. You’ll notice dehydration, lines, early aging, and other issues just from smoking. That’s just what it does to your skin – we won’t go into the other major problems that it can cause here!
2. Sleeping With Your Makeup On
If you’re going to put makeup on during the day, make sure you’re prepared to take it off at night time. Taking your makeup off might seem like a chore, but it’s a must if you want to protect your skin and keep it looking great in the long run. Sleeping in makeup will clog your pores, and could potentially cause your skin to age faster.
Make sure you do a double cleanse with your chosen skin care, ensuring that your face is completely free of makeup and beauty products before applying the rest of your skin care regimen. Makeup wipes can be damaging to the environment, so if you’re looking to help the planet, a Face Halo is a great way to take your makeup off quickly and easily without damaging it.
3. Forgetting To Wear SPF
It doesn’t matter if it’s not the height of summer outside. It doesn’t matter if you can’t even see the sun. Forgetting to wear SPF is a major sin! SPF protects the skin from sun damage and other pollution that our skin can come into contact with throughout the day. You should apply it not only to your face, but to any other part of your body that will be on show, e.g. your hands. You can buy day creams that contain SPF so you can protect your face while moisturizing it.
4. Not Using Products Designed For Your Skin Type
Everybody should know their skin type. If you don’t know your skin type, then you won’t be able to purchase products that are going to help any specific conditions you’d like to treat. If you have aging skin, it makes no sense using lighter products designed for somebody in their twenties. Pay attention to who the product is meant for, and get to know your own unique skin type.
It’s a good idea to think about any specific issues you’d like to treat too. For example, if you don’t like your smile wrinkles then you may want to invest in a cream or serum designed to plump them out. Your skin care routine can be a lot of trial and error, but it all starts with knowing your skin type.
You can find guides online, but if you’re still unsure, you won’t regret visiting a professional dermatologist for a more in depth analysis of your skin.
5. Not Being Consistent With Your Skincare Routine
You may have a skin care routine, but are you consistent with it? It isn’t enough to simply do your routine when you remember or feel like it. It isn’t enough to simply do it once a day. You should be carrying out your routine twice a day; once in the morning, and once before you go to bed. You may want to use slightly different products at these times, too. For example, many people like to use a day cream in the morning and a night cream at night to really help protect their skin while they sleep.
Keep it simple if you struggle with too many steps. Once you’re in a great routine, you can start adding more products/steps in if you want to.
6. Not Eating Your Five A Day
Nobody is telling you that you can’t eat chocolate or things that you enjoy. However, it’s a good idea for you to make sure you’re getting your five a day. Have a couple of pieces of fruit and fill up on vegetables every day. Not only will you be getting lots of lovely micronutrients that support your health, you’ll also likely enjoy some mood enhancing benefits too.
Bear in mind that your diet can have a big impact on your skin, and some people find that cutting out things like dairy helps their skin to look better. This is individual to the person, though, so you’ll just have to see if it works for you if it’s something you’d like to try.
7. Not Getting A Minimum of 2 Litres of Plain Water A Day
Sorry, but you can’t drink a huge bottle of flavored water and pretend you’re being healthy. A lot of those bottles actually contain a ton of sugar, and don’t compare to plain water at all. Buy a water filter and a jug you can take with you and go for it. Set markers to drink throughout the day so you don’t forget. Before you know it, you’ll be super hydrated and it’ll be showing on your skin!
You’ll likely need to pee a lot at first, but you’ll get used to it once you’re in a routine.
8. Letting Stress Get the Better Of You
Stress can have a big impact on the skin too. If you’re permanently stressed out, you’re probably going to break out, develop angry eleven lines (they can be down to genetics too, just FYI), and maybe even look ill.
It can be tough when you have a lot on your plate, but your mental health, physical health, and the way you look are all interconnected. If you’re stressed, all kinds of things in your life are going to be out of whack, including your skin.
Try deep breathing, meditation, and even yoga to help you combat stress. Get outside more. Reduce your workload if you have to. If things get really difficult, going to a therapist could be a big help.
9. Not Getting Familiar With The Ingredients In Your Skincare
Getting to know the ingredients in your skin care is a better way for you to know exactly what you’re putting on your skin. Not all moisturizers for a particular skin type are created equal, for example. By learning about which ingredients are good and which should be avoided, you’ll be doing your skin a huge favor.
You’d be surprised to learn that many ingredients included in some skin care products do the exact opposite of what the product is supposed to do!
10. Picking At Your Face
If you have a pimple, some dry skin, or something else going on, it can be tempting to pick at your face. DON’T. Picking at your face can scar you for life, and over time, these little areas you have picked at can become more noticeable.
11. Washing Your Face With Super Hot Water
You should only ever use lukewarm water to wash your face. Hot water dries the skin out. For this reason you should also avoid super hot showers and baths. If you must bath rather than shower, try to only have one or two a week and then shower when you need it.
12. Not Washing Your Pillowcases Enough
Pillowcases are often the cause of bacteria being transferred onto the skin, and they can cause some serious spots. Make sure you’re changing your pillowcases as regularly as you can so that you’re not transferring anything nasty back on to your face. A minimum of once per week is recommended.
13. Touching Your Face All Day
If you constantly touch your face, you’re likely transferring nasty bacteria from all over the place onto it. Think of all of the bacteria you could transfer after typing on a keyboard, or especially after touching your phone. Going to the gym is great, but you should use a hand gel to get rid of bacteria right away once you have completed your workout. Don’t touch your face!
14. Using Too Many Products At Once
You want your skin to look fantastic, but that doesn’t mean you have to use as many products as possible. You could actually be making any issues worse by doing this!
15. Not Paying Enough Attention To Your Neck And Chest
It isn’t just your face that’s important. Pay attention to your neck and chest when carrying out your skin care routine. Applying a body moisturizer after a shower, as well as hand cream every day is also a good idea.
