Do you want glowing, flawless skin? Of course, you do! But many of us keep holding ourselves back without even realizing it. Not caring for your skin is one thing, but bad habits can go even deeper than that.
Bad habits creep up on us over time. We don’t always think about their long-term effects because the ones we have now seem small and harmless. But sometimes the littlest things can have major consequences–especially when it comes to skin health.
In this article, I’ll talk about common bad habits that might be stopping you from having amazing skin and what kind of changes you can make in order to get the radiant look you seek!
Table of Contents
Over-exfoliating
One of the most common bad habits that can negatively affect your skin is over-exfoliating. While exfoliation is important for removing dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover, overdoing it can actually strip away natural oils, damage your skin barrier, cause irritation, cause dry skin, and make breakouts worse.
To avoid over-exfoliating, keep it to just once or twice a week. If you have sensitive skin, you’ll want to be even more conservative – opt for just once a week and look for gentle exfoliants. Additionally, try to avoid harsh scrubs and loofahs – those are great for the body but not necessarily ideal for facial skin since it can make the skin dry.
Finally, keep in mind that gentle ingredients like lactic acid or glycolic acid are often better options than physical exfoliants because they don’t scratch the surface of the skin as much but still provide excellent results!
Not getting enough sleep
Getting less than 8 hours of sleep is one of the most damaging bad habits that’s hindering you from achieving healthy skin. Your body and brain need to rest for at least 8 hours a day in order for it to function properly, and abstaining from getting enough sleep can have a huge effect on your skin. Skimping out on sleep causes your skin to appear dull, dry, and wrinkle-prone since not resting enough interrupts the production of growth hormones which increases cell turnover.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t just stop when you’re in bed—it also affects the health of your entire body. Not getting enough rest also leads to dark circles under your eyes, puffy bags forming around them, an irregular derealization of acne, spots erupting across your face or other areas on your body, dry patches…the list goes on! So if you want glowing, radiant, and healthy skin, make sure that you get at least 8 hours of sleep every single night.
Going to bed without cleansing your face
Going to bed without washing your face is one of the worst habits you can have if you want amazing skin. Sleeping with makeup on, dirt, and oil stuck on your skin can cause the skin to appear dull, dry, and clogged, leading to acne and breakouts. Not only that but going to bed with a dirty face can increase bacterial growth on the skin’s surface causing irritation and a bad complexion.
To prevent this from happening, make sure to always take off your makeup before bed and wash your face with a gentle cleanser. Use lukewarm water when cleansing, as hot water can strip away too much of the natural oils from your skin leaving it dry and itchy. After washing your face finish up by gently patting it dry with a soft towel or facial cloth. Doing this will help ensure that you don’t go to bed without having clean skin!
Not wearing SPF
Not wearing sun protection is one of the worst bad habits that can stop you from having amazing skin. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause all sorts of problems like redness, premature aging, wrinkles, age spots, and even skin cancer.
So it should be a no-brainer to remember to apply UV protection every day before heading outdoors. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 30 or higher. Also, make sure to reapply about every three hours, especially if you’re sitting in direct sunlight for long periods of time or engaging in activities like swimming or running around.
You should also consider wearing protective clothing such as wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses when feasible as an additional layer of defense against the sun’s damaging rays. An SPF lip balm is a must-have too since your lips are particularly vulnerable to UV radiation exposure and can show signs of aging quickly if not protected properly.
Constantly touching your face
Constantly touching your face is one of many people’s common habits and perhaps one of the worst habits one can develop when it comes to having amazing skin. Every time we touch our face, we open the door for bacteria and other particles to enter our pores and potentially cause infection or inflammation. In addition, the oils from our hands leave a residue on our skin that can clog pores and trigger breakouts.
The best way to avoid this problem is to keep your hands away from your face. When you think about how often you put your hands on or near your face throughout the day, it’s probably more than you realize! Whenever you’re tempted to do so, consciously remind yourself to put your hands elsewhere and resist the urge.
In addition to breaking this bad habit, establishing an effective skincare routine with ingredients that work for your skin type is essential if you want amazing skin. This includes carefully considering which products are best suited for your skin type and using those in combination with regular exfoliation and moisturizing treatments.
Overloading your skin with products
Overloading your skin with too many products can do more harm than good. Too much of anything can be taxing to the skin, as well as slow down its ability to heal properly. Not only can this lead to an array of issues like rashes and irritation, but it also suffocates the skin with various heavy ingredients that can clog the pores and contribute to breakout tendencies.
By purchasing fewer products but of higher quality, you can ensure that each product is tailored specifically to your skin type and presents true benefits in terms of lasting hydration, protection from UV rays, and natural healing elements. As a result, your skin will stay balanced – glowing from within. Plus, not having every countertop covered in several bottles of skincare will save on long-term costs!