Most bad habits start out harmlessly enough: You fall into bed after a long night without washing your face, and the next day your skin looks dull and rough. No permanent damage done, right? But the next night out ends the same way and soon your skin is paying for it. Don’t wait until the need for damage control is written all over your face. Assess your skincare habits now and take steps toward a healthier routine.
- Popping or picking at blemishes
Despite your better judgment, sometimes you just can’t resist the instant gratification that comes with popping an unsightly pimple. But if done improperly, you’ll likely regret it when your skin suffers the consequences.
The damage: Temporary or permanent scarring, redness and irritation.
The solution: Patience, TLC and a hands-off approach. Interfering with a pimple’s natural healing process can push harmful bacteria deeper into the skin and increase the chance of infection, scarring or further breakouts. Instead, apply a spot treatment, such as
Leaf and Rusher Acne Spot Tx, or try an acne treatment mask, like DDF Sulfur Therapeutic Mask. If you have a whitehead ready to be popped, board-certified dermatologist and Livestrong skincare expert Jeffrey Benabio, M.D., suggests using a sterilized needle. (For instructions on safe popping techniques, see Should You Pop a Pimple?) If the pimple persists, visit your dermatologist for an immediate treatment, such as a steroid injection. And if your picking habit is a more serious compulsion, consider seeing a therapist.
- Cradling the phone against your chin
While you’re logging marathon minutes on your cell phone, you’re also transferring dirt, oil and bacteria to your skin, which can cause the telltale “phone acne” wherever the phone makes contact with your face.
The damage: Acne along the chin, cheek, neck or jaw line.
The solution: As a general rule, avoid touching your face, whether it’s with your hands or a telephone. When you’re on the phone, “hold the receiver slightly away from your cheek,” David Bank, M.D., director of the Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic and Laser Surgery, in Mount Kisko, N.Y., tells Vegetarian Times. Bank also suggests that you change your pillowcase weekly, and keep rubbing alcohol on hand to disinfect your telephone receiver several times a week. And if you’re a multi-tasker, switch to a hands-free headset for office and cell phone calls.
- Sleeping or exercising in your makeup
We all have lazy moments when we want to skip a wash, but wearing makeup overnight or during a workout is a recipe for disaster. Not only can eye makeup spread to your eyes, causing irritation and eyelash loss, but pimples can run rampant when you don’t let your skin breathe. According to New Orleans dermatologist Mary P. Lupo, M.D., in Shape, “your skin needs time to turn over new cells, but if your pores are blocked, that can’t happen.”
The damage: Dull skin, pimples, clogged pores and irritated peepers.
The solution: If you need a lower-maintenance night routine, try a time-saving two-in-one cleanser: Cosmedicine Healthy Cleanse Foaming Cleanser and Toner in One or Avene Micellar Lotion Cleanser and Make-up Remover will make it harder to justify heading to bed without the proper prep. And leave your vanity at the door when you work out. “Sweat is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria,” Lupo says. Opt for convenient, easy-to-use cleansing pads, such as Topix Citrix Antioxidant Pads or H20 Plus Anti Acne Exfoliating Cleansing Pads for acne-prone skin.
- Using unsanitary makeup tools and expired cosmetics
When it’s time to toss old makeup, sometimes pragmatism wins out over hygiene. You want more bang for your buck with expensive beauty products — but not at the expense of your skin. Your unwashed powder puff and year-old mascara can be hoarding millions of bacteria.
The damage: Blemishes, rashes, infection and eye irritation.
The solution: For starters, be smart about product storage. This might come as a surprise, but the bathroom is actually the most un-hygienic room in the house, filled with moisture and airborne microbes that spread bacteria. Keep makeup cool and out of direct sunlight, with lids on tightly. Wash your hands before handling products, and avoid dipping your fingers into a product, which speeds up contamination. Use new makeup sponges every time you apply foundation, and wash non-disposable tools with dishwashing liquid twice a week (at a minimum), letting them air-dry. Also, keep track of the use-by date of your products. Once your makeup has expired, the preservatives that guard against bacteria become less effective, leading to rashes and pimples. Make a habit of jotting down the expiration dates of your products in a calendar so you know precisely when to replace them.
- Over-exfoliating
What’s not to love about exfoliants? Sloughing off dead skin cells with exfoliating formulas, like grainy scrubs and products with alpha hydroxy acids, helps create a baby-smooth, radiant complexion. But overdo it and your face might dry out or overcompensate by producing more oil, which can trigger breakouts.
The damage: Irritated, inflamed, dull and rough skin.
The solution: While it might be tempting to experiment with different exfoliating products and procedures, your best bet is to choose one and stick with it. Find a gentle product, like MD Formulations Face and Body Scrub, and limit use to once a week if you have extra-dry or sensitive skin. If you’re using prescription-strength products like retinoids, Lupo advises against adding other exfoliants for the first few months.
More bad habits
Whether your skincare habits are in top shape or require some extra discipline, don’t forget these five biggies, as outlined by Mayo Clinic.
- Sun exposure
The damage: Wrinkles, dryness, liver spots, risk of skin tumors.
The solution: Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or greater every day, and avoid the sun during peak intensity (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Also, invest in sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays to prevent wrinkles around the eyes that can result from squinting in the sun. (UV rays can also directly damage your eyes.)
- Smoking
The damage: Premature aging, wrinkles, dryness, discoloration, lines around the lips and eyes.
The solution: Kick the habit!
- Harsh cleansing
The damage: Dry skin, irritation, acne, allergies.
The solution: Use warm, rather than hot, water, and limit baths and showers to 15 minutes or less. Avoid strong soaps, which can strip oil from your skin, and instead choose mild, fragrance-free cleansers, such as Astara Botanical Cleansing Gele.
- Skipping moisturizer
The damage: Dryness, tightness, overproduction of oil.
The solution: Select the moisturizer that’s best for you based on your age, skin type and skin condition, ideally with an SPF of 15 or greater to help protect your skin from UV rays.
- Careless shaving
The damage: Skin irritation, roughness, nicks and cuts.
The solution: Shield the skin before shaving by applying shaving cream, and use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction of hair growth, and rinse the skin with warm water. If you still have irritated skin, skip lotions that contain ethyl or isopropyl alcohol, which evaporates too quickly to effectively soothe the skin.
See also:
10 Healthy Skincare Habits You Might Be Forgetting
Good Skincare Habits Gone Bad
3 Tips for PM Skincare