We get it, habits aren’t easy to break. After doing something for a while, it can be difficult to stop. And while some “bad” habits might not necessarily need to broken, there are others that could be doing real damage to your outer (and inner) beauty. When it comes to your skin, there are habits you have that are hurting you. Don’t let another year go by without ditching these 10 skincare habits:
You Still Think Is A Good Idea
Scientists have already proven there’s a direct link between tanning beds and a high risk of melanoma. People who first use a tanning bed, before the age of 35, increase their chance of skin cancer by 75%. That’s a lot! So, why are you tanning all the time? I understand wanting skin with a slightly darker hue but it’s just not worth the risk. Not to mention, the UV light from tanning beds cause cellular damage which ages the skin. So either way, you should avoid tanning as much as you can.
You Focus Too Much On Your Acne
Yes, you might have acne-prone skin but that doesn’t mean products with benzoyl peroxide (and other acne-fighting agents) should be all you have in your medicine cabinet. That’s a little excessive, especially because of how drying these products can be. If you want to use an acne-fighting cleanser and toner that’s fine, but try a different kind of moisturizer and exfoliant that’ll treat your skin without drying it.
You Only Moisturize Once A Day
Skincare professionals will tell you, moisturizing is the key to clear and smooth skin. Regardless if you have dry, oily, or combination skin, moisturizing throughout the day will hydrate your skin and keep it looking young and glowy. If you’re only moisturizing once a day, you’re doing yourself a real disservice! You need to moisturize at least two times a day. Just make sure you pick a moisturizer that works for your skin type.
You Don’t Care About Antioxidants
You’ve heard this word before. But, what’s the deal with antioxidants and why are beauty experts and health bloggers always talking about them? Because they matter. Antioxidants limit the production of free radicals, internally and externally, that damage skin cells. Consuming antioxidants, or using them topically, is incredibly important for keeping yourself healthy and protected.
Foods that are high in antioxidants are goji berries, pecans, strawberries, kale, and dark chocolate. You can also purchase skin products that contain Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and even Vitamin A.
You Completely Forget About Exfoliating
You don’t need to exfoliate every single day. In fact, you probably shouldn’t if you use a heavy duty exfoliant scrub. You should, however, exfoliate at least once a week. Why? Because exfoliating gets rid of dead skin cells and actually helps your facial products work effectively. If you have dark spots, acne, or perfect skin, exfoliating is a must for every single skin type.
You Don’t Apply Enough Sunscreen
Applying sunscreen all the time (even during the winter) is great for your skin. Hopefully, you already know this! Sunscreen protects your skin, stops the cells from damaging, and keeps your skin healthy and looking ageless. Apply sunscreen to your face, often, but don’t forget about your entire face. Your chin, neck, and hairline, can also be burnt too. Make sure you’re really paying attention to where the sunscreen is going.
You Use Harsh Hair Products
What you put in your hair can greatly impact your skin. Shampoos, leave-in conditioners, hair masks, and oils naturally come in contact with your face — even if it’s unintentional. If you love your hair products and refuse trying anything else, really make sure you’re keeping your hair away from your face as much as you can!
You Don’t Pay Attention To Your Sugar Intake
Sugar tastes good, but it’s not the best for your overall health. When you eat sugar, your insulin levels rise which puts a high demand on our body and skin to work. While this might not sound horrible, it causes inflammation (i.e. pimples) which in turn causes wrinkles. There’s a reason why a high sugar diet makes people look older than they are. Digested sugar attaches to the collagen in your skin and wreaks havoc. You don’t have to avoid sugar altogether but steer clear whenever possible.
You Constantly Touch Your Face
Whether you’re constantly touching your skin with your hands or you’re always putting your phone right on your cheek, you’re ruining your skin! Our hands and our phone are covered in bacteria and absolutely filthy. Why would you want to transfer that filth onto your skin?! Try to avoid touching your face and make sure to wash your hands throughout the day. Oh, and please don’t forget to clean your phone!
You Never Change Your Skincare Routine
Once you get a skincare routine that works for your skin, you might be hesitant to switch it up. The problem with sticking to the same products ALL THE TIME is that your skin doesn’t stay the same. It changes, constantly, and you have to evolve with it. You also want to make sure the products you’re using are actually giving you the best results. Sure, they might not be breaking you out but is your skin where you’d like it to be? If not, switch it up so you can make sure you’re not wasting your time on sub-par products