13 Habits You Do That Damages Your Skin

Did you know that your skin was the largest organ your body has? And let’s not forget that everyone strives to have flawless skin that is free of blemishes, visible pores, and wrinkles. So naturally we want to take the best care of our skin that we can, and we often do that by adopting a skin care regime that will help us achieve that. Unfortunately, there are some habits that we partake in on a daily basis that, not only hurts our skin, but it can do some severe damage to the skin that we aren’t even aware of!

Here are just a few of the most common things that we do on a regular basis that can cause some serious damage to our skin without us even being aware of the side effects.

1. Applying sunscreen only once a day.

Many of us know that one of the most effective ways to protect your skin from sun damage is by applying a sunscreen with high SPF in it. We know that you have to choose an SPF that blocks enough UV rays for your particular skin type. For example, if you are fair skinned and are prone to burning, you’ll want to choose an SPF 50 or higher lotion. Whereas if you have darker skin, you can get away with a lower SPF, but even then you should still wear it! Also, in combination with choosing the right lotion for your skin, you should remember to reapply it several times throughout the day, especially if you are going in and out of the sun.

2. Not cleaning your makeup applicators regularly and thoroughly.

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As meticulous as you may be about applying your make-up and taking care of your skin, we sometimes neglect cleaning our makeup brushes and applicators regularly and thoroughly. For one reason or another, we just put it aside for another day, or we say that it isn’t too dirty yet to warrant a full cleaning. This type of attitude toward your cosmetic applicators can lead to a bacterial build up on the applicators, not to mention dead skin cells collecting in the bristles or the sponge applicators. You’ll want to use a mild soap (preferably one that has antibacterial properties to it) and warm water to cleanse your brushes. How often you do this depends on the type of make-up and how frequently you use the applicators. Ideally, we recommend a deep clean once a week.

3. Picking at any abrasions on the skin like pimples, cuts, bug bites, or scrapes.

We all have instances where we are faced with blemishes on our skin that makes us incredibly self-conscious about how we look. When you pop a pimple or pick that nasty scab that covers an open sore, we feel better, and we think it looks better; however, that isn’t the case. In fact, by doing this, you’re making matters worse because the bacteria on your skin can cause an infection. Those germs and bacteria that is on your hands could make the sore infected and take even longer to heal! We fully recommend just leaving the sore alone and letting it heal on its own. You can use topical ointment to help reduce redness if you can’t take it anymore, though.

4. Not removing all of your makeup before bed.

We’ve all been there a time or two when you’re out having the time of your life with friends, and you come home too tired to go through the process of removing your make-up. You go to bed, and then when you wake up, you’ve got raccoon eyes, your lipstick is more on your pillow than your lips, and half of your foundation is on your blankets. Unfortunately, although a lot of your makeup is now on your bedclothes, it can still create a bacterial infection on your skin. It’s a good habit to clean your face thoroughly at the end of the night. Not only will you feel refreshed and more awake, but your face will look healthier in the long run because your pores won’t be clogged

5. Not getting enough sleep.

Not only is getting enough sleep essential for your general health, but it is also important to maintain healthy skin. More often than now, we don’t always get the required eight hours of sleep because our schedules are so packed with things that need to get done. When you do get a good night’s sleep, your skin will look brighter, and you’ll be less likely to have those unsightly dark circles under your eyes. Plus, when you can get enough rest, your body won’t produce stress hormones that can cause damage to your skin.

6. Not drinking enough water/fluids.

Water is an important ingredient to living a healthy lifestyle. It helps to clean your body from harmful toxins; it keeps you feeling fresh and awake, and it can keep your skin looking supple and hydrated. When you are drinking water, you’re moisturizing from within, so when you don’t get your daily allotment of H2O, you’re going to be feeling it by the end of the day. If you go on too long without getting enough water, not only will you feel the effects, but your skin will look dull, dry, and parched.

7. Skipping out on the moisturizer.

Whether you are running late in the morning or you just haven’t found a moisturizer that you like, you should always remember to apply some moisturizer to your skin after you shower. Remember how we said that drinking water nourishes your skin from the inside? It’s also important to keep your skin moisturized on the outside as well—ideally, whenever you get out of the shower or when you come in any contact with water. Now, water isn’t bad, but it can dry out your skin, especially if it is left to air dry. The more you moisturize, the softer and younger your skin will feel.

8. Standing under a hot shower for long periods of time.

We totally get it—there is little in this world that can compare to a nice hot shower, especially after a long day at work. However, did you know that by standing under hot water for too long will remove any natural oil that your skin produces? Your skin produces oil that helps keep it moisturized and that hot water if it is too hot, will strip it clean away and when you get out, your skin will look dry and flaky. However, you can combat this by shortening the time you’re in there and lower the temperature of the water. Of course, if you are one of the people who has to have their water scalding hot, make sure you don’t skip the moisturizing part of your skin regime!

9. Exposing your skin to harsh chemicals, such as hair spray or even cleaning sprays.

While we aren’t saying that you should don a full face mask to protect your skin, we are saying that chemicals that you come in contact on a daily basis can cause severe problems for your epidermis—and not just on your face either. Think about all the chemicals you come in contact with on a daily basis, whether it is of your own doing (hair products, walking around in the city, cleaning your home, etc.) or not (car emissions, air pollution, people coughing and sneezing, etc.). These chemicals can wreak havoc on your skin. This is why you should always clean your skin and make sure you moisturize afterward.

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