GirlsGuideTo | The Worst Bad Skin Habits that Ruin your Complexion

We’re all guilty of one or more of these from time to time. Did you have a super long day and crawl into bed without removing your makeup? Or maybe you just can’t remember to wash your makeup brushes. Even though they seem like innocent mistakes, these bad habits add up quickly and will wage war on your skin. For starters, do we even need to mention the worst bad habit for your skin: skipping sunscreen? Even if you’re not spending the day outside, make sunscreen application (with a broad-spectrum formula) part of your morning beauty routine and reapply before the drive home. Here are 9 more bad habits that are just wreaking havoc on your poor helpless skin, ladies.

SMOKING

As if you need another reason to quit. In addition to the ridiculously long list of ways you’re damaging your health, smoking leaves your skin lackluster, too. According to recent research published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, every decade of smoking leaves your skin appearing an extra 2.5 years older, because you develop more and more deep wrinkles and blotchy skin tone.

DRINKING TOO MUCH

As a recent college grad, this one definitely has me cringing. You can still drink, but more than a glass a day and it will show on your skin. Alcohol increase the level inflammatory agents in the bloodstream which increases skin sagging over time. Plus, after a long night out, I can always tell my skin suffers because my usual issues (acne and dryness) are just exaggerated.

IGNORING YOUR NECK AND CHEST

You know how you usually blend foundation beyond your jawline and dust bronzer on your décolletage? Those same areas need special attention just like the rest of your face. These areas are almost always exposed, yet they rarely receive as much sun protection and hydration as the face. The skin there is actually more delicate and just as vulnerable to photoaging. The solution is obvious: Whenever you apply face cream, sunscreen, or serum to your face just extend everything down to your décolletage.

OVERLOOKING MOLES

A study conducted by the National Cancer Institute showed that fifty percentmore melanoma cases occurred in women ages 15 to 39 in 2004 than in 1980. Obviously, a huge factor in the melanoma cases is the rise in tanning. Everyone needs to get a mole screening with a dermatologist once a year, and you should also check yourself every month. Remember to examine less noticeable places such as your scalp, the soles of your feet, and under your nails.

USING DIRTY MAKEUP BRUSHES

I never realized the importance of washing makeup brushes ‘til college. For some reason, I just never thought of it. But, it makes sense. If you skip out on washing your brushes you’ll end up with muddied colors, clogged pores, and more bacteria. Once every three weeks, lather brushes with a gentle shampoo such as Johnson’s Baby Shampoo or even a specially-formulated brush cleanser, and let them dry overnight. (Read our how-to guide on brush cleaninghere.)

STAYING UP LATE

Sleep is the time when your body repairs the damage from the day, including on your face. Interrupting the process slows down cell turnover, which can leave your skin looking sallow. Plus, sleep deprivation causes stress, which can aggravate any skin condition, including acne, eczema, and psoriasis. While it’s difficult with our busy schedules, do your best to get as close to 8 hours a night as possible. Not just your face, but your body and mind will be grateful, too.

NOT WASHING YOUR FACE AT NIGHT

Skipping the face wash at night leaves your makeup and a day’s worth of oil buildup to just soak up and clog your pores. Your body temperature increases slightly while sleeping, so it enhances absorption of whatever is on its surface. Therefore, you really only want beneficial ingredients on your face, not day-old makeup.

NEGLECTING YOUR EYES

The skin around your eyes is thinner than practically anywhere else on the body, plus it goes through a lot of wear and tear. Are you constantly rubbing your eyes? Not only is your mascara smearing, but every time you do, you risk breaking the delicate blood vessels, which leads to darkening, dulling, and the thickening of the surrounding skin. Make sure to start applying an anti-aging eye cream nightly if it’s not already part of your routine.

OVERLOADING ON PRODUCTS

My bathroom counters are overflowing with products, so I’m likely guilty of this bad skin sin. When you start overloading on different products you probably don’t realize that some of them might contain duplicate ingredients or they just aren’t compatible. Plus, some active ingredients might cancel each other out, or double up and cause irritation. If you’re trying to treat different problems, like sun damage or acne, try to use the different products for each at different times of the day. Or, every other day. Some of the worst ingredients to combine are: retinol, glycolic acid, vitamin C, and benzoyl peroxide – whatever you do, don’t layer them on together.

Are you guity of any of these bad skin habits? How do you keep your skin glowing? Share your advice in the comments below!