Our daily skin care routines are second nature to us, however what if our skin care routine is damaging our skin? Well, here are the top 20 habits that we are all guilty of doing on a daily basis…
Picking
I know that it is extremely hard to restrain yourself when you have a piece of skin that shouldn’t be
there or a spot that is desperate to be squeezed, however picking is not the answer. Remember that every time you pick or squeeze, you are damaging your skin, causing scars, irritation and even wrinkles, so beware and STOP.
Popping Spots
Not only can popping your spots cause scars, wrinkles and irritation, it also causes the infection go deeper into your skin. If you have one of those spots that you just can’t take your hands off, then use a warm towel and place over the affected area. If your pimple is ready to pop, heat and pressure is all it will need to burst, not your fingers.
Over Exfoliating
Over exfoliating is so easily done, some individuals (myself included) apply exfoliating scrub to their palms and scrub their skin with force, this can be so damaging to the skin as it takes off its top layer, which is your skins protective layer and can leave it vulnerable to toxins and chemicals found in our environment as well as damaging UV sun rays which can speed up the signs of aging. If you would like to exfoliate your skin, apply a sm
all amount of scrub to your fingertips and gently make small circular movements in the areas you would like to exfoliate. Do not exfoliate every day, limiting exfoliating to twice or three times a week maximum is the best way to remove the dead skin cells without causing damage.
Over Exfoliating Oily Skin
Some people believe that if they are suffering with oily skin, the key to removing the excess oil is by exfoliating with all different kinds of exfoliators. However, what these people do not realise, is that when you over scrub and damage the skin, your skin begins its natural healing process which produces more oil, so really it becomes a vicious circle. There are other ways of helping to reduce your excess oil, however when exfoliating is concerned, limit it to twice or three times a week.
Over Using ALL of your Products
If one of your habits is over scrubbing your face, then there is a high chance that you may be over-doing it when it comes to using a cleanser or retinol cream. Using a large amount of cleanser or retinoid cream on your face can not only irritate the skin, it can also affect the skins natural protective oil layer. Using a small amount of cleanser at night to clean off your makeup is enough, there is no need to use your cleanser in the morning, just simple warm water and hydrating soap is all you need.
Sleeping With Your Makeup On
Sleeping with your makeup on is a HUGE NO NO. As you sleep, if you have left your makeup on your face, your pores becomes blocked. If sleeping with your makeup on is a usual occurrence, then your pores become impacted and tend to look larger. As you get older and your collagen levels deplete, your pores may lose their ability to snap back to their original size, this can lead to inflammation and even infection.
Sleeping With Your Hair Down
People who have longer hair with fringes may be more likely to suffer with outbreaks on the face and
neck. If you are one of these people, then sleeping with your hair down can be an issue for your skin. If you fall into this category then make sure you take your hair off your face, neck and pin back your fringe.
Not Using The Correct Cleanser
You may think that you are taking your makeup off fully and cleansing your skin before bed, however are you using the correct cleanser to give you optimal healthy skin? Well, look out for cleansers with contain antioxidants salicylic acid and an astringent, which will help to tighten your pores back up.
Applying Your Products In The Incorrect Order
The key to having healthy skin is applying the slightly thinner products before your rich, thicker creams and lotions. If you apply the thicker ones first, then you stop your skin being able to absorb the thinner lotions.
Not Getting Enough Sleep At Night
Don’t you find that when you do not get enough sleep at night, your skin looks wrecked the morning. During sleep, your skin heals itself and regenerates. A lack of sleep can also cause our bodies to create free radicals which can lead to further damage of the skin.
Not Washing Your Bed Linen As Frequently As You Should
We all do it, but if you do not wash your linen as often as you should, a build-up of residue from your natural body oils, conditioners and moisturisers can build up and cause your pores to become blocked. Blocked pores can lead to inflammation, infection and even adult acne, so washing your linens regularly is a great way of preventing these irritating skin issues from occurring.
Using Dirty Makeup Sponges and Brushes
Using dirty makeup brushes can be extremely damaging to your skin, you are filling your pores up 
with dirt and bacteria that has been sitting on your makeup sponges and brushes. Clean your brushes daily with a cleanser and change your makeup sponge on a weekly basis.
Allowing Your Skin to Dry Out
At the first sign of a spot, many of us tend to go out and buy products that will dry out the skin. By drying out the skin, not only are you causing the skin to become irritated, you are getting yourself into a vicious circle, where your skin begins to produce more oil in order to restore its natural balance, which in turn causes more spots.
Using Hard Fabric on Your Pillowcases
I know it might seem strange, however having a hard fabric on your pillow case might cause wrinkles to develop on your face. As we get older our skin tends not to produce as much collagen as it would when we were younger. The folds on the material can press onto our skin and unfortunately do not ‘de-crease’ as quickly as we would like them too. Avoid cotton on your pillow cases and stick to silk or linen fabric.
Not Knowing What You are Putting on Your Skin
Education is the key when applying makeup and skin care products. Knowing the ingredients and learning about what they can do for your skin is the best way to pick out the products that work best for you.
Not Putting On Sunscreen Everyday
Even if you cannot see the sun, UV rays still penetrate the clouds and can affect our skin. Wearing sunscreen every day can help to reduce the damage caused by UV rays. Using a factor of 30 or above is a good place to start. Using makeup that has an SPF incorporated is another great way to protect your skin. The key to great skin care is prevention so remember that when you leave the house in the morning without proper protection.
Having Hot Showers
There is nothing more relaxing then getting back from a hard day’s work and enjoying a long hot shower or a soak in a hot bath. However, hot showers can strip your skin of its essential oils, leaving it vulnerable to attack from harsh environmental chemicals and other elements. Taking warm showers is a good way to relax, cleanse your skin and still keep all the essential oils right where they need to be.
Putting on Too Many Products at Night
Applying too many products at night is not effective at all. If you have many issues with your skin, then the most effective way to help your different issues is by alternating your products at night, not using them all at once.
Avoiding Moisturisers When Having Oily Skin
Even if you have an oily skin type, that does not mean you should not moisturise. Whatever your skin type may be, it is vital that you moisturise on a daily basis. It is a common misconception that you should avoid moisturisers when suffering with oily skin, in fact it is the complete opposite. Avoiding moisturisers can cause your skin to promote the natural healing response, which is producing even more oil to help reduce dryness. This over production of oil can cause even more spots to form leading to infection and inflammation. Using a non-oil based moisturiser can help to moisturise and prevent any excess oil from being produced. When applying moisturiser, it helps to add and retain the water which is lost throughout the day, it does not add oil.
Having a Bad Diet
If you would like healthy skin, then the best place to start is by looking at your diet. Diet has a huge part in
ensuring your skin remains in tip top condition. Protein is the foundation of your skin cells and all body cells, so making sure you have a diet rich in protein is the perfect way to make sure your skin remains healthy. A high protein diet can help rejuvenate and regenerate your skin cells, helping with the healing process and adding a healthy glow to your skin. Another essential part of your diet should be green vegetables. Green vegetables have a high content of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and water, all of which contribute to healthy skin.
It is a good idea to avoid saturated fats, white carbohydrate and other non-healthy foods as they only add to the excess oil production of the skin.
