5 Bad Habits That Damage Your Skin Without You Realizing It

 

Skin is your body ` s biggest organ and also an obstacle in between you as well as the rest of the world. But many of us unknowingly adopt habits that damage it — leading to dryness, it loses its elasticity early, acne and more. Left unchecked, breaking these bad habits can become transformative, in turn, leading to the natural and healthy glow of your skin. Below are five daily habits you probably don't realize could be hurting your skin and how to fix it.

Not Wearing Sunscreen Daily

Not wearing sunscreen every day is one of the most detrimental—yet common—practices related to skin health. Cloudy, rainy days, or most of your time indoors, are not excuses: ultraviolet rays enter windows and can harm the skin. Continued Exposure to UV can cause premature aging, dark spots and even skin cancer.

Make sure to use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen once every morning, even if you are staying inside and even if it is a gloomy and rainy day. With many modern sunscreen options being lightweight and non-greasy, it becomes that much easier to integrate this habit into your day-to-day routine.

Over-Exfoliating Your Skin

Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and restores some freshness and smoothness to the skin. To be fair though, excessive use of such products can remove the skin barrier, causing irritation, redness and even breakouts. This practice can even make your skin more reactive to sun exposure.

NOTE: Exfoliation should occur a maximum of 1-2 times a week and an exfoliating product appropriate for your skin type should be selected. If your skin feels red or irritated, you may need to exfoliate less often, or use a gentler product.

Sleeping with Makeup On

Makeup does not allow your skin to breathe, so sleeping in same make up will block the pores and cause to breakouts, inflammation and dull skin. Makeup acts as a trap for oil, dirt, and bacteria, all of which build up during the day. Going to sleep without washing your make up can also hinder your skin from getting the chance to renew overnight, which, in turn, makes your skin look worn out and aged.

Tip: Include cleansing as part of your evening ritual. Remove Makeup — Use gentle cleanser or micellar water to thoroughly wash off makeup. This requires double cleansing, which means washing your face with an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser to help ensure that all dirt, oil, and impurities are removed.

Touching Your Face Frequently

It is a habit that a lot of people are unaware they have. Our hands come into contact with thousands of bacteria and dirt throughout the day from different surfaces. Frequently having your hands near your face means you are transferring this debris to your skin — often resulting in clogged pores, acne, and skin irritation.

Tip: Be intentional about not touching your face. If you do touch your face, be sure to wash your hands first. Cleaning your phone and commonly touched surfaces can help avoid germs getting onto your skin.

Washing Your Face with Hot Water

Washing in hot water may feel nice, but hot water removes the natural oils and moisture from our skin, resulting in dryness, irritation, and over time damage to our skin barrier. This can increase the susceptibility of your skin to external aggressors and can also speed up aging.

Tip: Always wash your face with lukewarm water, because it is gentle enough to cleanse without removing natural oils from your skin. Top it off with a cold splash of water to keep pores tight, and seal in moisture.

Final Thoughts

You do not need an expensive and complicated skincare routine. Becoming aware of these little habits in your daily life can lead to healthier skin with a more natural glow. As you all know, consistency is key when it comes to any skincare routine and so even these small changes can help you find noticeable results. Do these 5 things and watch your skin change over time!

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