I know they're hard to break and I'll be the first to admit I'm guilty of them, but these bad skin habits can make it impossible to achieve clear, healthy, glowing skin. Chances are you may not even know what you're doing is that bad in the first place. So I rounded up the 5 most common bad skin habits you can kick to the curb to get you back on the road to great skin!
Using the wrong products: Using products that are not for your skin type can cause drying, breakouts, and irritation. The first step is to understand what your skin type is. If you have oily skin make sure you are using an oil-free cleanser that contains salicylic acid and opt for an oil-free facial lotion as well. For sensitive skin, wash your face with a gentle fragrance-free cleanser. Try to go for anti-aging products that are also oil-free and contain calming ingredients such as chamomile or hydrators like shea butter. Combination skin ladies should cleanse every morning with a cleanser that targets oily skin and a hydrating but, light-weight moisturizer to keep dry spots moisturized. Facial oils are great for people with dry skin. Also opt for a hydrating cleanser and don't pat dry your face with a towel after cleansing. Instead, let your skin air dry and naturally absorb the water. It's a great way to lock in moisture!
Not using SPF: If you still don't know you should be using a broad-spectrum sunscreen all year round, you must be living under a rock or on another planet! Sunscreen not only protects your skin from harmful UV rays that can cause skin cancer and other skin conditions, but also protects your skin from wrinkling. Make sure to apply a liberal amount of sunscreen to your face, neck and other exposed areas every day. If you're working, reapply again before leaving the office. If you're going to be outdoors you should reapply every two hours. Opt for a formula that contains at least SPF 30 for effective and long-lasting protection!
Readmore ¿Qué más? 8 Easy steps to fake a pregnancy glow!
Neglecting your neck and chest: Lots of women seem to think that their skin care regimen should stop at their jaw line. Common mistake! Your neck and chest are just as exposed to the sun, which means they should receive the same amount of attention, sun protection, and moisture as the face. Not to mention the fact that the skin on your neck and chest is even more delicate and prone to aging. Have you ever seen a woman with a wrinkled neck? It's not a pretty sight, and there's not a lot you can do to reverse it. So be proactive and make sure to extend your skincare products to your neck and chest every time!
Over-exfoilating: I used to do this all the time, until I noticed that my sensitive/combination skin couldn't handle it. It would irritate my skin, sometimes even causing me to break out. As important as exfoliating is, over doing it can stripe your skin of its natural oils, causing you to breakout as it spreads bacteria. Try a gentle exfoliator and only exfoliate about twice a week; sensitive skin chicas, only once.
Chatting it up: If you're chatting on your cell for hours, you better believe that can lead to breakouts and rashes on your cheek and along your jaw line. Especially now with touch screens on our smart phones, your cell phone is getting all the transferred oils and dirt from your fingers. I like to swipe an alcohol or anti-bacterial wipe on it to keep it clean and keep my face clear.
__Are you guilty of any one of these beauty sins? Tell us in the comments below!
__
Image via Laurel.Miss/Flicker
