A proper and regular skincare routine is crucial for achieving skincare goals and maintaining a healthy and radiant complexion. For this purpose, countless skincare manufacturers continuously introduce innovative and effective products into the market. However, the endless options can make it daunting and confusing to find skincare products that our skin needs rather than experimenting with every new product endorsed online by beauty experts, bloggers, and celebrities. Finding the right beauty products and avoiding bad habits can help you keep your skin in its optimal health and appearance.
If you’re unfamiliar with what should and shouldn’t be a part of your skincare and beauty rituals, don't worry. We’re here with a list of beauty habits you should steer clear of.
Not Removing Makeup Properly - Not cleansing or washing your face at the end of the day is one of the most common skincare mistakes that can wreak havoc on your skin. We’ve all done this, maybe after a long and tiring day or out of sheer laziness. Not removing your makeup properly before bed should be placed at the top of your list of bad beauty habits that should be broken as soon as possible. Letting makeup stay on your skin while you sleep can cause clogged pores, blackheads, premature wrinkles, acne breakouts, dryness, inflammation, and many other skin issues.¹
Cleansing skin at night helps remove makeup and the germs, dirt, grime, and sebum that have been accumulating in the pores throughout the day. But can you imagine letting all these impurities sit in your pores overnight? Instead, you can try double cleansing to ensure no residue is left behind on your skin.
Over-exfoliating the Skin - While regular exfoliation is necessary to get rid of all the dead and damaged skin cells that regularly build up in your pores, going overboard with it can result in more harm than good. The pileups of dead skin and impurities on the skin's surface can lead to various skin problems, like uneven skin tone and texture, acne, blackheads, and wrinkles. Similarly, using an exfoliating product too often can leave your skin dry, dehydrated, and inflamed, which can be equally harmful to your skin.
It’s recommended to slough away dead skin only once or twice per week, depending on your skin’s individual needs and skin type. Moreover, a gentle exfoliating product that doesn’t contain abrasive beads, alcohol, and fragrances is your best bet to keep the skin clean and clear without aggravating it. In some cases, chemical-based exfoliants can be gentler for the skin.
Skipping Sun Protection - The next beauty habit you should follow is shielding your skin against sun damage. UV rays come at the top of detrimental factors that induce skin damage. Some of the skin problems that can result from the cell damage caused by UV rays, free radicals, and other environmental toxic agents are early signs of aging, inflammation, hyperpigmentation, and even certain types of skin cancer.
A broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher that protects against UVA and UVB rays and other dangerous toxins can help keep these skin problems at bay.² It’s significant that you apply and reapply sunscreen throughout the day to ensure maximal sun protection. Never skip sunscreen, even on rainy, cloudy, or snowy days.
Smoking and Drinking - We have all been warned about smoking harming our internal organs and overall health. Besides affecting you on the inside, it can also have harmful effects on the skin. Smoking can cause cell damage, leading to bad skin and a dull complexion. You might have heard of smokers' lines in people who smoke. These are premature wrinkles and fine lines resulting in skin damage from smoking. It can also be bad for those struggling with inflammatory skin problems, especially psoriasis, acne, and dermatitis.
Similarly, alcohol consumption can also affect our skin negatively in more ways than we can imagine because it is one of the most aggressive compounds that can damage the skin. The side effects of alcohol mostly come from dehydration and inflammation that result due to excessive drinking. This compound can deprive the skin of its natural hydration, increasing the chances of dryness, irritation, and redness. If you enjoy occasional drinking within normal limits, make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water to counter the dehydrating effect of alcohol.
Touching and Picking the Face - It’s common for many of us not to pay attention to how we touch our faces throughout the day. It's said that people tend to touch their face around 23 times in one hour. Can you imagine the number of times we do it during the day? The problem with touching your face is that our hands are not always clean and may carry germs and other harmful elements that can pile up on the skin and lead to all sorts of skin problems, particularly acne breakouts and inflammation.
Similarly, picking your face and popping those annoying zits may seem tempting and satisfying. Picking the skin can increase your risk of aggravating the skin and getting infections. If you pop your pimples, the chances are that you’ll be left with acne scars and blemishes due to skin damage. It’s better to get help from a professional and get rid of this nasty habit.
Using Too Much Moisturizer - A moisturizing product is highly recommended, even for people with very oily, greasy, and shiny complexion. The key is to opt for a cream, lotion, or gel formula according to your skin type. It’s imperative not to use too much or the wrong kind of moisturizer. Like over-exfoliation, too much or the wrong moisturizer can make you prone to countless skin issues.
Applying a thick moisturizer or a moisturizer in large amounts can have adverse effects on your skin, ranging from clogged pores and blackheads to inflammation and acne breakouts. It can even trigger the onset of premature aging by causing skin inflammation.³ A moisturizer with gentle, non-comedogenic, and naturally-derived ingredients is your best choice to keep your skin moisturized without worrying about harsh effects. Also, finding the right formulas specifically designed for your skin concerns and type can be a great addition to your skincare routine.
Using Too Many Skincare Products - We understand that it can be hard to resist buying all those fancy and trending skincare products you come across online. But remember that overdoing your skincare can be bad for your skin. Sometimes, keeping your skincare routine simple is all your skin needs.
Furthermore, frequently switching to new skincare products can be bad for your skin as it can irritate it. Therefore, it’s ideal to find a handful of skincare products that work the best for you and stick to a minimal skincare routine.
Rubbing Your Eyes - As we are aware that the skin around our eyes is the most delicate and thin on our entire face and thus needs special care and attention. One of the worst skincare habits that can damage or irritate the sensitive skin around the eyes is rubbing your eyes. It can make the skin more susceptible to fine lines and wrinkles.
Rubbing the eyes vigorously may also lead to irritation and redness around them. To combat the urge to rub your eyes, ensure you take proper care of your under-eye skin because dry and itchy skin can increase the likelihood of rubbing the eyes.
In addition, get your hands on a nourishing and moisturizing eye cream to keep the skin around your eyes plump and radiant. Another essential thing to consider is investing in good quality eye makeup products, like mascaras, eyeliners, eyeshadows, and concealers. Last but not least, give your eyes frequent breaks during the day to relieve tiredness and soreness.
Final Thoughts
The wrong skincare and beauty habits can significantly hinder your journey to youthful, healthy, and glowing skin. No matter how much money you spend on buying skincare products, if they don’t suit your specific skin and its needs, you don’t use them properly, or you make other mistakes in your beauty routine, you can end up with a variety of skin issues.
Like any other habit, bad skincare habits are also hard to break, but breaking them can make a huge difference in your beauty game and help you achieve your skincare dreams. So, try to break these habits sooner to help restore your skin’s health.
Citations:
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2021). ‘Wrinkles’, Mayo Clinic, Accessed October 27, 2022. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/wrinkles/symptoms-causes/syc-20354927#:~:text=Ultraviolet%20radiation%2C%20which%20speeds%20the,layer%20of%20skin%20(dermis).
- Lohnes, Kate. (2022). ‘What Does “SPF” Mean?’, Britannica, Accessed October 27, 2022. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/story/what-does-spf-mean
- Syeda, Arshiya. (2022). ‘Skin Inflammation: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, And Treatment’, Style Crazeˆ. Accessed October 28, 2022. Available at: https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/skin-inflammation/
