Not removing makeup
Most of us are guilty of it- collapsing into bed after a night out without wiping our makeup off and waking up the next day with mascara or foundation smudged across our face and pillow. However, makeup can clog your pores and irritate your skin, so it’s important to have a makeup removal routine in place that works for you.
Long hot showers
Hot showers can sometimes have a similar effect to sunburn. They can cause dryness, as they strip the skin of its natural oils, and can also cause redness, itching, and peeling. Try to stick to shorter, milder showers to help preserve the skin’s natural barrier.
Using the same routine
Different seasons affect your skin differently. Adapting your skincare to your skin’s needs is an important part of preventing dryness and irritation. In spring, allergy medication can dry out your skin, so be sure to hydrate. In summer, focus on SPF and exfoliation. In fall, use calming products to soothe your skin. In winter, using heavier moisturizers will help protect your skin.
Using soap
Though you don’t need a cupboard full of lotions and potions to clean your skin, using bars of soap can strip skin of natural oils and make wrinkles more pronounced. Dry skin is also more prone to irritation and cracking, meaning it’s less able to defend itself against bacteria. Try a gentle face cleanser formulated for dry skin, followed by a moisturizer with SPF.
Neglecting your body
It’s easy to focus on skincare for our face and forget about the rest of our body. Remember to pay attention to your neck and hands when applying SPF or moisturizer, as this will help prevent the dry skin that comes with sun exposure.
Over-exfoliation
Though you may think you’re taking care of your skin, over-exfoliating can be equally as damaging to the skin as under-exfoliating. It can cause irritation, redness, breakouts, dryness, and increased skin sensitivity. According to Riverchase dermatologists, if you have sensitive or dry skin you should only need to exfoliate around twice a week.
Picking
Skin picking or scratching can often be an unfortunate side effect of stress, and can cause uneven, sensitive skin in addition to injuries and scarring. If you’ve picked at skin, make sure to cleanse and moisturize the area to avoid infection and help healing.
Tanning
If you’re on the paler side, tanning can seem like the perfect way to give yourself a ‘glow’. However, whether you get one organically or through a sunbed, a tan is itself an indication of skin damage. It can exacerbate the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots, as well as putting you at risk of more serious health risks like skin cancer.
Forgetting to moisturize
Slipping up once or twice isn’t the end of the world but moisturizing twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, is generally recommended. It helps to keep your skin hydrated and prevent dryness, reducing any signs of aging – even if your skin tends to be on the oilier side.
Not wearing sunscreen
UV exposure can lead to skin laxity, lines and wrinkles, brown spots, and can even leave you at risk of skin cancer. Remember to apply- and reapply!- sunscreen or products containing SPF throughout the day if you’re going to be in the sun at all.
Eating unhealthy foods
The food we eat doesn’t just relate to our health, it can also have drastic effects on our skin. Constantly consuming sugary, fatty foods can cause inflammation in the body, causing your pores to become clogged, leading to spots and acne. If you want clean skin, ensure you’ve got a clean diet.
Taking long baths
Frequently submerging your skin in a hot bath can lead to irritation, itchy skin, and even rashes. This is due to the scolding waters depleting your skin of its natural oils, leading to an array of skin problems. If you insist on having regular baths, try to limit them to 10-minute dips.
Having poor sleeping habits
Getting the right amount of shut-eye isn’t just important for our mental health, it can also hugely influence our skin. While we’re snoozing, our body enters regeneration mode, repairing our bodies by removing toxins and repairing cells. Needless to say, a lack of sleep leads to poor skin. Make sure you get around eight hours of sleep each night for a youthful glow.
A lack of exercise
We all know that exercise is important for our health, but were you aware that it can also affect your skin? Frequently exercising can lower your body’s stress responses, minimizing the risk of chronic skin conditions. In fact, exercise is so good for the skin that it can actually reverse signs of aging!
Using styling tools on hot settings
Constantly using hairdryers and other styling tools on the hottest setting will eventually have detrimental effects on your skin. Being exposed to daily high heats will dry your skin out, leading to the perfect breeding ground for fine lines, spots, and creases. Dial down the heat – your skin will thank you for it.
Sleeping in the same position
Surprisingly, sleeping on your side or stomach night after night can lead to wrinkles. This is because your skin can cling to your pillowcase, leading to deep-set lines that no beauty product can remove. Sleeping on your back is the best way to wake up with picture-perfect skin.
Delaying your anti-aging regime
The best time to start your anti-aging regime was yesterday. The second best time is now. No matter your age, neglecting your skincare will be a price you’ll pay later down the line. Invest in some anti-aging skin creams and serums, ensuring that you apply them daily.
Straining your facial muscles
While exercise is important, it’s vital that you don’t overdo it. Constantly straining your facial muscles day after day will lead to wrinkles and creases, and these lines will be particularly hard to get rid of later in life. You can still work out, just be mindful of what your face is doing.
Using too many products
You may think that the more products you apply to your skin, the better it will look. Unfortunately, the opposite is true. Piling on various creams, serums, and oils can have adverse effects, with the varying products canceling each other out. Keep it simple – only use the products you actually need.
Exposure to screens
Strange as it sounds, our phones are actually damaging our skin. Studies have shown that constant exposure to blue light can lead to photo-aging, skin discoloration, a weakened skin surface, and inflammation. If you’re looking for flawless skin, put down your phone once in a while.
Not drinking enough water
If you’re not drinking enough water, you likely feel tired, rundown, and fatigued. Not only does a healthy intake of H20 affect increase our energy levels, it also keeps our skin healthy, maintaining its elasticity. People who drink large amounts of water are less likely to suffer from wrinkles, scars, and soft lines.
Neglecting your eyes
A lot us forget to pay attention to our eye area when we’re doing our skincare, leaving them at the mercy of pollution, blue light, and toxins. Ensure that you add some eye cream to your daily routine to combat those pesky signs of aging.
Using certain products at the wrong time
Certain skincare products should be used at specific times of the day. For example, antioxidants containing vitamin C should be applied in the morning, helping to fight ultraviolet light throughout the day. On the flip side, products with collagen-boosting ingredients should be used at night.
You treat your adult acne like teenage pimples
Life changes – and so does your skin. There’s little point in treating skin issues the same way you would have when you were younger. In fact, stripping your skin of all its natural oils will only have detrimental effects. Instead, use a gentle cleanser to help to unblock pores, giving you clearer skin.
Failing to wash your face before bed
We’re all guilty of it, but failing to wash your face at night can have adverse effects on your skin. Going to bed without giving your skin a quick rinse can cause your pores to clog up, leading to a breakout of spots. It can also hinder your skin’s repair process, resulting in you looking older than your years.
Drinking sugary drinks
As tasty as they may be, it’s best to leave drinks that are high in sugar on the shelf. The high levels of sugar found in these sweet treats can lead to inflammation, causing wrinkles, rough texture, and high levels of oil. If you’re looking for glowing, youthful skin, it’s best to opt for water instead of sodas.
Rubbing your eyes
Your eyes are sensitive, so it’s best to keep your hands off. Constantly rubbing your eyes can cause the skin to be irritated, leading to a swollen, red look. The skin around your eyes will eventually thicken if you get in the bad habit of frequently rubbing them, making you look older.
Drinking too much alcohol
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol doesn’t just lead to bad overall health – it can also make you look significantly older, making your skin look haggard. Indulging in booze dehydrates your body, losing vital fluids and nutrients, which can make your skin look dull, gray, bloated, and wrinkled. Along with giving you a killer hangover, is alcohol really worth it?
Applying retinol immediately after washing your face
A key error many skincare enthusiasts make is applying retinol right after washing your face. Avoid this mistake and only apply retinol when your skin is fully dry, enabling your pours to soak up all of the nourishing goodness. The best time to apply the product is around 30 minutes after your face wash.
Experiencing high levels of stress
Stress can produce a very real, physical reaction, namely across your skin. Hives, rashes, excessive sweating, and acne are all symptoms that something’s off in your mental psyche. Thankfully, stress-related skin issues tend to go away on their own. Try to keep a relaxed state of mind as often as possible to give yourself a youthful glow.
Ignoring pollution
Constant exposure to high levels of pollution can result in chemicals piercing through your skin’s defenses, causing oxidative stress. This can weaken your skin’s protective barrier, resulting in high levels of inflammation. If you live in a busy city, make sure you take extra special care of your skin.
Smoking
Along with its links to cancer and heart disease, smoking can also make you look older. It’s associated with premature skin aging, increased infections, delayed wound healing, and a slew of skin disorders. Furthermore, constantly working your lip muscles will eventually lead to deep-set wrinkles that are almost impossible to remove.
Harsh makeup removal
Some makeup removal products could be damaging your skin, using an array of harsh chemicals to get your face free of cosmetics. Using harsh makeup wipes can interfere with your skin’s pH balance, damaging the protective layer of your skin that protects against outside impurities.
Pursing your lips
While pouting may make for a great Instagram selfie, it will make you look older later down the line. Forever stretching your mouth muscles will create tiny fine lines, that will eventually become deep-set with constant repetition. Next time a camera’s pointing your way, simply flash a toothy smile.
Neglecting your hands
We often think our faces are the key giveaway of our age, but it’s simply not true. Neglecting skincare on your hands can age you massively, leading to wrinkles, liver spots, and discoloration. Make sure that you include your hands in your skincare routine to give off a youthful glow.
Constant temperature regulations
As tempting as it is to blast the heating during cold months, you may want to reconsider. Exposing your skin to drastic temperatures will eventually make you look older, as it draws moisture from your skin, making it more prone to itching and irritation. Use central heating and air conditioning by all means, but just do so in moderation.
Wearing a too tight ponytail
Wearing your hair in a tight ponytail may look fashionable, but it’ll leave you with avoidable wrinkles. Constantly placing a strain on the skin across your forehead will lead to stretched, worn skin, making it more likely to wrinkle. Rock your ponytail, but ensure it doesn’t put any excess pressure on your skin.
Avoiding fatty foods
We hear that we should avoid fatty foods every single day – but it’s not entirely true, as an extreme avoidance of fatty foods can lead to skin that looks worn. Some foods – such as avocados, chia seeds, and fish – can be beneficial to your skin, pumping it full of omega-3, vitamin E, and antioxidants.
Drinking too many smoothies
Smoothies are good for you, right? Well, it depends what you’re drinking. If you consume a fruit-filled smoothie every day, it could be bad for your skin – and your health in general. Sugar-filled smoothies can lead to poor skin conditions due to the mix of fat, protein, and carbohydrates all in a single drink. As ever, it’s best to stick with water.
Using old makeup products
Everything needs freshening up once in a while, including your makeup. Applying old, outdated products can clog up your pores, or, in the worst-case scenario, lead to a serious skin infection. Ensure you frequently update your cosmetics to keep your skin as healthy as possible.