No matter how many skincare products you use, your skin will remain dull and unhealthy if you have poor habits. Of course, you want to treat your skin well to look great. You have facial cleansers, toners, serum, and sheet masks, but are they enough?
Many people are unaware that most of their daily habits directly affect their skin’s health. Are you feeling lazy to use sunscreen before going out of the house? That is a big mistake! Read below to learn more about the habits to change to keep your complexion on track.
Not Washing Your Face
Christina Patchett, a London-based medical esthetician, recommends cleaning your face twice a day, regardless of whether you went out of the house or not. It’s easy for people to skip face washing, especially after a long and exhausting day. But not seeing dirt on your face does not mean that it’s not there. If you keep this habit, your skin will pay the price.
It will eventually turn dull because of pollution, oil, and dirt build-up. And over time, it will cause breakouts. Make it a habit to clean your face with gentle products that contain moisturizers. If it’s a particularly draining day and you can’t bring yourself to the restroom, use a facial wipe before going to bed.
Replacing Fruits and Vegetables with Lots of Sugar
Too much sugar can affect your body in different aspects. It’s no secret that excessive sugar consumption can cause diabetes, weight gain, inflammation, and high blood pressure. But did you know that it can also affect your skin?
If you are on a diet, you will most likely realize how beneficial fruits and vegetables can be to your overall health and appearance. Besides, eating lots of fruits and vegetables is not suitable for the skin. It can also help you achieve your weight loss goals while staying healthy.
Smoking Cigarettes
Smoking has adverse effects on your skin and health. The nicotine in tobacco slows down the blood flow toward your skin, and as a result, your skin does not get enough nutrients and oxygen to stay healthy. Moreover, the chemicals in cigarettes damage the elastic proteins and collagen that keep your skin healthy. Smokers typically have wrinkled, dull, and thin skin, making it harder for them to heal when wounded.
Furthermore, constantly squinting your eyes and puckering your lips as you smoke can deepen skin lines and cause significant wrinkles as you age.
Not Using Sunscreen
Sunshine may feel good, especially in the morning, but UV rays damage the skin. UV light is the leading cause of skin cancers and premature aging. So keep in mind that you need to use sunscreen before going out of the house, yes, even on cold and cloudy days.
Sunscreen products can block UVA and UVB and protect your skin from harmful effects. Look for a sunscreen with SPF 30, and if possible, reapply it to your skin every 2 hours.
Drinking Alcohol, Tea, Coffee, or Working Out After a Facial
Experts say it would be ideal to skip working out and drinking tea and coffee for at least 24 hours after getting a facial. This rule is essential for dry and sensitive skin.
Using Poor Quality Makeup
You don’t necessarily have to buy expensive makeup products, but you need to be wary of what you put in your face. Often, cheap products are harmful chemicals that damage and irritate your skin.
Look for products that will match your skin’s needs. For example, if you have oily skin, buy salicylic acid makeup. Also, double-check products that claim to have minerals. Many of them are made with synthetic ingredients, which might give you acne.
Exfoliating Dry Skin
Flakes and scales are the common signs of skin dryness. And since they do not look appealing, many people turn to exfoliation. However, this rough treatment only damages your skin even more as it disrupts the barrier that keeps your skin moisturized.
If this is the case, do not exfoliate. When it comes to dry skin, moisturizing is the answer. Soothe dryness by moisturizing your skin even more. Go for fragrant-free facial lotions and creams that contain petrolatum glycerin, dimethicone, and kinds of butter like shea and cocoa.
These are some of the bad habits you need to change if you want healthier and smoother skin. Remember, everything you do will eventually affect your skin and health, so always go for habits that promote good health. One of the best things to do is switch to healthy living. Reduce your alcohol intake, quit smoking, and eat more nutritious foods.
