7 Bad Habits That Are Ruining Your Skin and How to Break Them
Skin care is a major priority for many of us. Whether it’s because we want to look young or because we have sensitive skin, it’s important to take good care of your skin. Not only will this keep you looking fresh and youthful, but it can also help prevent premature aging and acne breakouts.
But sometimes, even with the best intentions, we can fall into some bad habits that are ruining our skin and keeping us from looking our best. These habits can range from constantly touching your face to not sanitizing your phone. Here are 7 bad habits that are ruining your skin and how you can break them!
Constantly Touching Your Face
Touching your face is not only bad for your skin, but it’s also unhygienic! Whether it’s picking at that annoying zit that popped out of nowhere or rubbing your itchy eyes, these seemingly small and harmless actions are actually causing you to develop even more acne and even premature wrinkles, all while spreading bacteria on your face.
I know that sometimes we do it unconsciously, but you can lessen the risk of spreading bacteria on your face if you develop a habit of frequently washing your hands throughout the day. Also if you can pause for a moment before fully giving into the urge of touching your face or rubbing your eyes and remind yourself that giving in means causing possibly irreversible skin damage.
Not Cleaning Your Makeup Tools Regularly
Some people only wash their brushes and beauty sponges when they feel like it’s starting to get hard to blend their makeup with or it becomes obviously dirty. Not cleaning your makeup tools regularly can increase the risk of an acne breakout or worse, an infection.
It is recommended that you clean your personal makeup brushes every 7 to 10 days to lessen the chances of an acne breakout.
To properly clean your makeup sponges and brushes, run them under warm water (making sure you don’t put water on the base of the brush head) and lightly scrub them with baby shampoo until there’s no makeup left on the brush. You should also dry your makeup brushes and sponges immediately so they don’t start collecting more dirt or germs from the air around you!
If you constantly forget to clean your makeup tools, you can set an alarm to remind you until you form a habit of regularly cleaning them.
Too Many Skincare Products
With the rise of social media and of course social media influencers, it can be easy to get swayed with product recommendations, especially with skincare. And before you know it, your bathroom counter or vanity table is cluttered with the latest skincare trend.
While it’s okay to want to try out different skincare products, using too many can be bad for your skin. When you use multiple products at once, you’re adding different formulas to your skin that may not even work well together. This can result in clogged pores and breakouts.
So how do you know if you’re using too many skincare products? You don’t! The best way to figure out what’s happening to your skin is to get a professional evaluation by a skincare professional.
Consult with an esthetician as they can help you figure out the cause of your skin problems and recommend only the essential products that your skin needs.
Not Cleaning Your Phone
Mobile phones have become an important part of our daily lives. You probably take yours everywhere you go and most likely put it down on random places such as the table at your favorite cafe, on a drugstore counter, in the bathroom, you name it, it’s probably been there. On top of that, your hands touch a variety of things on a daily basis and can also transfer bacteria to your phone.
Scientists from the University of Arizona have discovered that mobile phones carry 10 times more bacteria than toilet seats! The problem is, we rarely think to clean our phones. We often use them to check social media, take pictures or even pay for things. It’s important to disinfect your phone regularly because there could be dirt and grime from where you’ve been that you don’t want going into your eyes, mouth, or skin.
It’s easy to keep your phone clean with a microfiber cloth and a disinfecting wipe.
Make sure you turn off your phone first and remove it from its case. Then wipe it down with a microfiber cloth to help lift germs from the surface. After that, wipe down your phone again with a disinfecting wipe that’s safe to use on electronics, making sure to avoid the ports. Air dry for a few minutes before wiping off any moisture left using another microfiber cloth.
Make this a daily habit by setting an alarm to remind you.
Having a Poor Diet
A poor diet can be one of the causes of your skin problems. When you have a poor diet, your body lacks the necessary nutrients it needs to maintain healthy skin. For example, eating too many processed foods can cause acne and inflammation.
Click here to see a list of nourishing foods that your skin can greatly benefit from.
I’ll have to admit, this bad habit can prove difficult to break, but if you’re really determined to achieve healthy and beautiful skin, you have to keep reminding yourself of your goal every time you feel tempted to scarf down a bar of chocolate or that greasy burger.
If you have a friend who has the same goal as you, you can both hold each other accountable. This way, it will be a little bit easier for both of you to achieve your goal of clear and healthy skin.
Skipping Sunscreen
It’s important to wear sunscreen not only in the summer when you’re outdoors, but also in the winter when you’re indoors. The sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate glass and have been known to cause damage to your skin even during winter months. Plus, the sun is actually closer to the earth during winter.
Sunscreen helps protect your skin from premature aging and other negative effects of UV exposure. To make it easier for you to remember to always apply sunscreen, make sure you own multiple bottles of it: one on your counter where your makeup or skincare products are, and another one inside your purse.
Not Getting Enough Sleep
It’s understandable that you have to stay up late to finish some work every now and then, but don’t make a habit out of it. If you have insomnia, it’s best to see a doctor to help you treat it.
Not getting enough sleep is one of the worst things you can do to your skin. Not only will it make you look tired, but it could also lead to premature aging.
One study found that not getting enough sleep can speed up the process of aging and cause a decline in skin barrier function as well as skin’s ability to recover after UV exposure.
Having trouble sleeping? Try these tips so you can start getting good quality sleep!
