Want better and healthier looking skin? These bad habits just may be preventing you from achieving that.
Related: The Best Skincare Routine For Sudden Hot Weather Changes
Did you know that the skin is the largest organ of the body? So, making sure it’s healthy is vital to your health. Whether we admit it or not, we’ve all had those days where we’re too tired to do our skincare routine. But that has got to stop. Having a well thought out skincare routine is a huge part of having a healthy lifestyle as well.
Having healthy skin can also affect one’s self-esteem and confidence—the better and healthier looking our skin is, the better we also feel. And while some may think you can only achieve better skin through products and treatments, you might have some bad habits that are negatively affecting your skin’s health.
These are 5 things you need to stop doing to your skin ASAP:
Sleeping with your makeup on
Let’s be honest, we’ve probably done this once or twice when we got home after a long night and we were too tired to do anything else. However, this is a habit you should really avoid if you want better and healthier skin. Sleeping with your makeup still on will not only clog your pores, but can actually make your pores appear larger. This habit also doesn’t give your skin the chance to breathe, and may cause acne due to all the dirt, pollution, and bacteria.
Not using SPF daily
You might think, ‘I’m always at home, why would I need to put on sunscreen when I’m not under the sun?‘ Well, according to an interview Dr. Iyer had with Forbes, “Ultraviolet rays that are the cause of sun damage and skin cancer are always present.” This means that come rain or shine, SPF is a must. It’s our first defense against harmful UV rays that will not only cause our skin to age, but might also cause skin cancer.
Over-exfoliating
While exfoliating can be good for your skin, others might not realise that they’re overdoing it. Whether you’re using a chemical or a physical exfoliant, this part of your skincare routine is recommended to be done only once or twice a week. Over-exfoliating can damage your skin barrier, and also strip your skin of its natural oils, making it dry and overly-sensitive.
Popping your pimples
Pimple popping has become a viral trend, with YouTube videos amassing millions of views. And we have to admit, as gross as it is, popping your pimple can be really tempting. However, this is another bad habit you need to stop. Popping your pimple can not only lead to acne scars, but may also lead to more acne because of dirt and bacteria.
Not getting enough sleep
Not only does not getting enough sleep cause dark under eyes or “eye bags,” it also causes your skin to be dull, pale, and look unhealthy. Just as in our physical and mental health, getting enough sleep is important to make sure we are at our best—same with our skin. “Lack of sleep can be so stressful that it actually causes our bodies, including our skin, to generate free radicals.” Dr. Dennis Gross told Elle.
Whatever you do, always remember that everyone’s skin is different and that you have to do what’s best for you and your skin.
