Dewy, clear, and radiant skin is something we all strive for, but how many of us can say we’ve reached skin success? Sure, we try all the lotions and potions the drug stores dish out, but still we find flaws, blotches, blemishes, and wrinkles. What gives? Are we destined for ‘blah’ or can we rise to something better?
Yes, we are already beautiful in our own way, but why settle for so-so or subpar skin when breaking some bad habits is as easy as applying an Instagram filter. Once you change things up by seeing which of these skin sins you regularly commit, sensational and smooth skin will be looking right back at ya from the bathroom mirror.
You don’t drink enough water
Go heavy on the H2O and you will soon notice a change for the better in your skin. Water is important for all our bodily functions, but the first place you’ll see obvious signs of dehydration is on the body’s largest organ – the skin.
As per Teen Vogue, “Skin is our main barrier against the outside environment, we need water to keep that barrier intact — dry flaky spots and irritation are all chinks in that armor. Hydrated skin looks plumper and livelier as opposed to dry or dehydrated skin, which can appear dull, flaky, and sallow.”
“Sallow” sounds sad. Grab a Poland Spring or some good old tap water and chug all day long. Don’t wait ’till your thirsty, as that means you’re already becoming dehydrated. Sip your way to great skin.
You wash your face too frequently
You’d think keeping your face squeaky clean would be a good thing, and it is… to a degree. Over-washing is the problem, and it can wreak havoc on your skin.
According toSkincare.com, “Washing your skin more than twice per day can strip it of its natural oils and leave it more vulnerable to aggressors and pollutants. Same goes for over-exfoliating.”
And beware those boiling hot showers. As per Anti-Aging Guide, “The skin on the face is very delicate and sensitive and use of hot water can weaken the capillaries. This can ultimately cause skin redness and dryness. Lukewarm water is best for your skin irrespective of which type it is.”
Wash your face morning and night, and if you exercise and get super-sweaty, cleanse gently after your workout. Any more and you’ll regret the rinsing.
You’re a smoker
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As if you need another reason to quit. Not only is smoking horrible for your health, it’s a nightmare for your skin. As Anti-Aging Guide warns, “Smoking accelerates the aging process and hence your face will have various signs of aging like wrinkles, brown spots, and fine lines at an early age. Smoking will even delay the repairing process of your skin as it reduces the flow of blood in the skin.”
Skincare.com adds, “Smoking damages your skin’s natural collagen and elastin, thereby it can result in loose, sagging skin.”
Loose, sagging, old… oh my! Toss those death sticks in the trash and you’ll never look back. No butts about it.
You never use sunscreen
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The rays of the sun sure feel nice on our skin, but they aren’t very nice when it comes to the damage they can cause. It is vital to use SPF no matter your skin tone/type or the time of year. Protection is power against sun damage or something worse, like skin cancer.
As per Anti-Aging Guide, “It is advisable to apply a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 before going out. At the same time wear well covered clothes and carry an umbrella to provide maximum protection to your skin.”
You can still enjoy time outdoors while being proactive and protective. It only takes a few minutes to cover your skin carefully, but you can’t turn back the clock on permanent sun damage.
You fall asleep in a full face of makeup
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But you’re soooo tired. Big deal. Woman up and spend the measly two minutes to wash off your makeup. Your bed will still be there when you’re done.
According to Skincare.com, “Our skin is exposed to cosmetics, dirt, pollution, oil, and more throughout the day that build up on the surface and can prohibit the skin from breathing. If you neglect to wipe off the grime before bed, you’re essentially suffocating your skin, which can lead to skin irritation, clogged pores, breakouts, and dull-looking skin. If you’re lazy, store some face wipes on your nightstand to cut out the trip to the sink.”
Not to mention, your pillowcase will be a mess come morning.
Some other bad habits for the skin?
- You drink too much alcohol
- You don’t clean your cell phone
- You never clean your makeup brushes
- You don’t get enough sleep
- You share makeup with friends
- You eat tons of sugar
- You’re always touching your face
- You reuse the same washcloth without washing it
- You’re a pimple-popper
