Who doesn't want healthy skin?
Normally, we all want glowy, clear, and smooth skin. Skincare products can surely help us achieve that. What when we are using skincare products but we don't see the result? Well, maybe the problem isn't where you are looking.
There is much more to skincare than just toners, moisturizers, and cleansers. The skincare routine has some steps that we overlook. Those steps hold big importance on how we treat our skin. Most of us are guilty of at least one of these 10 bad skin care habits I am sharing with you.
This post contains affiliate links.
10 BAD SKIN CARE HABITS YOU NEED TO STOP DOING
LEAVING SHEET MASK MORE THAN 30 MINUTES
Sheet masks are one of the most popular and loved skincare products. They have so many advantages for the skin. But did you know that leaving it for too long can have a reverse effect? That is one of the bad skin care habits. Most people try to get the most out of the sheet mask by keeping it on their face for more than is required. Leaving a sheet mask on for too long can seriously harm your skin. Letting a sheet mask dry on your face, or even just leaving the sheet mask on longer than recommended, can allow even seemingly innocuous ingredients to dry and irritate the skin, which is the exact opposite of its intended purpose.
Some of those ingredients include charcoal, tea tree oil, plant extracts, acids. Anything left on the skin too long can be irritating. When a dry sheet mask stays on the skin, it will draw the moisture away from your face. The safest way to avoid undesired irritation and dehydration is to use the mask for no more than 20 minutes. And sleeping with the sheet mask on is a big no.
DRYING YOUR FACE WITH A TOWEL
Wiping your face with the same cloth you use to wipe your body could be harming your skin more than you think. Towels can trap bacteria, and because we usually store them in the bathroom, where the air is humid, it creates the ideal setting for bacteria to develop. When you rub the cloth on your face, you are transferring all these bacteria straight onto your skin which can ultimately lead to breakouts and clogged pores.
Even if you use a different towel for your face than the one you use to wipe your body, you are probably not washing it every day, and undesired bacteria can still make their way to your skin. This bad skincare habit you need to change as soon as possible. Bath towels are too harsh on your face, and using them can produce tiny cuts in your skin, making it exposed to germs and creases.
APPLYING PRODUCTS WITH FINGERS
I'm sure that you heard multiple times that you shouldn't touch your face with your hands during the day. The reason behind it is the bacterias that are on our hands and can get in our pores. Applying skincare products direct from the packaging with your hands isn't always the best idea. There is still some time to forget about this skincare habit.
Although it might be the most convenient method, it can lead to skin problems. That is if you don't wash your hands with soap and warm water. So every time before you start your skincare routine be sure to first wash your hands. Some products come with a small spatula you can use to get the product out of the packaging.
USING BAKING SODA TO EXFOLIATE
The pH of the products you use is essential for preserving healthy skin. The skin naturally has a pH of around 4.5 to 6.5 and is maintained like that. When you use a product with a high pH it can upset the skin barrier. Baking soda has a high pH level.
So it is best to skip the baking soda as a skin exfoliating and hold to something softer with a lower pH. I know how tempting it can be to use homemade skincare. Sometimes it is best to stick with drugstore exfoliators as they are less likely to seriously damage your skin. Leave the baking soda in the kitchen where it belongs.
APPLYING LEMON OR TOOTHPASTE
Vitamin C is one of the most important ingredients in skincare. If you ever searched for a homemade skincare mask then you probably saw ones that contain lemon juice. While it might seem logical to apply lemon to your face as it does contain vitamin C that might not be the smartest idea. What we forget is that there is a big difference between the lemon and vitamin C that some skin care products have.
Because of its acid, lemon can cause irritation, redness, blemishes, and dryness. Another popular skincare myth is applying toothpaste to pimples. While most of us did it at least once, this is your reminder not to do it again. Toothpaste contains ingredients that shouldn't go on our skin.
OVERLY WASHING YOUR FACE
Washing our face is one of the most basic skincare steps, but what if we do it too much. Yes, there is such thing as overly washing your face. There are bacteria and oils all over our faces. While some of them are bad, others are good. When we wash our face too much we get rid of the good oils that help our skin.
Washing your face too much can easily become a skincare habit you are not even aware of. It is enough to wash your face twice a day, once in the morning and once before going to bed. Of course, every skin is different so you might need to wash your face once more but be sure that you are gentle and are not overdoing it.
SLEEPING ON DIRTY BEDSHEETS
How often do you change your bedsheets? Do you know that sleeping on a dirty pillowcase might be one of the reasons why your skin is breaking out? Well, after you apply your skincare and haircare products and go to bed excess products remain on your pillowcase alongside dust and bacteria.
While we sleep we move and sweat. That sweat is also going into our bedsheet and as we lay to sleep all of this eventually ends in our pores. Silk bedsheets might be the best option as they don't absorb as much dust as other ones. Before you lay in your bed tonight check if it is time for you to change your bedsheet.
NOT REMOVING MAKEUP PROPERLY
It is important to remove makeup before falling asleep. Leaving even a little bit of makeup on your skin can cause huge damage to your skin throughout the night. The skin naturally regenerates itself while you sleep, and when you leave makeup on, you stopping that from happening.
The majority of makeup is made with oily ingredients. After having makeup on for a whole day, it clogs your pores and leads to the emergence of more acne and blackhead breakouts. That’s why it is important to have proper makeup removing steps.
USING EXPIRED PRODUCTS
Like everything else, skincare products also have an expiration date. Expired products lose their efficiency and can cause undesirable irritation or bacterial contaminations. Some skincare products, like eye products, can cause itching, redness, and infections. There is an expiration date for a reason.
Some products only say how many months you can use it from opening. It is easy to forget when you first started using a product so I recommend you either write it down with a marker on the product or note it on a piece of paper. That way you are most likely to actually use up the product before it expires.
SQUEEZING AND PICKING AT SKIN
Squeezing and picking the skin is bad for it. Touching a pimple can get it inflamed and irritated. You are only making it worse as the bacteria is now getting right into it. Even if you successfully popped the pimple you will most likely end up having a scar. There are so many better ways of treating your skin. One of them is having a proper skincare routine.
There are a lot of skincare products that target specific skin problems. If you are prone to pimples there are pimple patches you can try instead of squeezing them. I know that some people just can't help because it is a bad skincare habit but working one day at a time is what is going to leave you with beautiful skin.
What is one bad skincare habit you want to get rid of?
Do you have a skincare routine?
Let's connect on:
Post a Comment