Bad habits. We’ve all got ‘em. Whether it’s staying up too late, overindulging, or staying out in the sun too long, I think it’s safe to say we’ve all partaken in unhealthy activities before. What many don’t know is that certain activities can wreck havoc on your skin too. We’ve gathered a list of five skincare no-nos to avoid altogether or to limit as much as possible.
Table of contents
Skincare Sin #1 – Too Much Sun Time
We’ve harped on the importance of applying sunscreen over and over again. Why? It’s super important! Whenever you go outside, whether it’s for 5 minutes or 5 hours, make sure you apply sunscreen to your face and body with an SPF of 50 or higher. And although we know you like to soak in the sun, try and limit your exposure if you can, as the sun’s UV rays are harmful. It leads to damaged skin and wrinkles!
Skincare Sin #2 – Drinking
We’ve all been told that drinking affects your liver, and most people can attest to the horrible next day effects of a hangover. Many people may not know that drinking can negatively impact your skin as well. When done in excess, drinking removes water and antioxidants out of the skin. In addition, it dilates blood vessels, which may be the reason why you wake up with a red puffy face.
If you do end up drinking on a night out, try one of these tips:
- Drink plenty of water the next day to rehydrate your skin and yourself!
- Try icerolling your face or dunking your face in a bowl of ice water for a few minutes, as it stimulates drainage and reduces that pesky puffiness
- Go through your full skincare routine the next day – don’t skimp on the moisturizer or your Vitamin C serum!
- Feeling fancy or need some extra help? Throw on a hydrating face mask or under eye mask while cooking yourself a big yummy breakfast and relax a bit while binging your favorite Netflix show!
Skincare Sin #3 – Not Removing Makeup at Night
I guarantee that every nighttime skincare routine out there most likely starts with removing your makeup from your face. We recently put together a quick 5 minute nighttime skincare routine if you are in search of one!
While this step may seem obvious, removing your makeup is an important first step in starting to cleanse your skin after a full day of activity. Your skin renews and repairs itself while you sleep, so leaving makeup on throughout the night can prevent that process from happening. Failing to remove your makeup, especially eye makeup, also increases the chances of bacteria and makeup particles entering into your eyes which could lead to irritation and discomfort. Lastly, sleeping in your makeup causes your pores to become clogged, which can unfortunately lead to acne – ew! It’s good to start with a fresh base and remove makeup as your first step of your skincare routine.
And if you forget or are too exhausted or have another excuse of skipping a night? Try and apply a detoxing mask in the morning that will help clean your pores and prevent breakouts.
Skincare Sin #4 – Unhealthy Eating
For me, it’s hardest to stick to healthy eating habits on the weekends, when I’m dining out with friends, or anytime I partake in skincare sin #2. Let’s face it though – we are what we eat. I’m sure everyone knows the feeling of waking up feeling puffy – in the stomach and the face!
Typically when you eat foods high in sodium, your body retains that water, which can lead to face puffiness. Similarly, many people experience breakouts when eating dairy products. While we are by no means saying you need to change your eating habits altogether, it’s worth noting that there may be a direct correlation with what you eat and how your skin reacts.
Overindulge one night? Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and look for other tips mentioned under skincare sin #2!
Skincare Sin #5 – Popping Zits
This is a bad habit I am definitely guilty of. Popping pimples on the face, as tempting as it may be, may lead to scars or infections. When breakouts do occur, add a treatment into your nighttime and perhaps even your morning skincare routine. And if you are really in a pinch but don’t want to pinch? Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are two common and effective treatments. Whatever you do, please be gentle with your face and avoid any harsh rubbing or popping around areas where the skin is the thinnest.
