In today’s fast-paced world, our skin often falls victim to unintentional harm due to our daily habits. While some things obviously damage skin, other bad habits are less obvious. Fortunately, you can learn about damaged skin with a search online.
Understanding the intricacies of skin care is crucial because skin acts as a protective barrier. By becoming aware of these less obvious harmful practices, people can make more informed choices and keep their skin healthy.
1. Using too many skincare products
Most people have the notion that the more skincare products you use, the better your skin will be. However, this is generally the opposite of the truth. Using too many products can actually dry out or irritate your skin, and there’s even a chance that some of the products can counteract one another. Another thing to consider is that the more products you use, the harder it will be to figure out which one is causing any potential irritation to your skin.
2. Having bangs
Have you ever had someone say, “Don’t get bangs … it’ll make your acne awful”? The oils and debris from your hair can cause an influx of acne when you decide to get bangs. Maybe opt for another haircut or at least some side bangs. But what if you’re set on bangs? The good news? The bangs usually cover up any acne, so you don’t have to worry too much.
3. Not working out at all
Now no one’s saying you have to work out every single day, but working out has tons of benefits, one of them being glowing skin. When you exercise, it increases blood circulation and gets rid of waste from your skin. Working out also helps reduce stress, which is another cause of acne. Moral of the story: throw a show on Netflix and get jogging on the treadmill!
4. Leaving your makeup on
We’ve all been there. You were out late, you’re exhausted, and the last thing you want to do is dig for a makeup remover pad. It just seems easier to deal with your makeup in the morning. However, makeup clogs the pores, resulting in dull, acne-filled skin. It also doesn’t allow for debris and toxins to make their way out of your skin. Moral of the story: take the extra 45 seconds to remove your makeup at the end of each day.
5. Eating too much junk food
It’s not a myth, ladies and gentlemen. People have been saying for years that junk food is bad for the skin, and scientists have proven that fact to be true. Diets that are high in processed sugars and carbohydrates often lead to acne-filled skin. Fast food, desserts, chips, soda, and pasta are some of the top skin-harming culprits. That’s not to say that you should never enjoy some junk food, but maybe lay off the extra processed foods during the week leading up to any big event in your life.
6. Drinking too much alcohol
Wine, beer, whiskey, tequila … alcohol may be good for the soul, but it’s not always quite so great for your skin. To put it in simple terms, it takes away the hydration from your skin and leaves only bad — dryness, itchiness, and redness — in return. Not all forms of alcohol are bad for your skin. As a matter of fact, resveratrol, which is used in anti-aging skincare products, is found in red grapes and red wines. Just be sure not to overdo it!
7. Talking on the phone
This one is surprising to most people. We think of lots of things as damaging to our skin, but it’s hard to imagine our cell phones are on that list. Cell phones pick up lots of germs throughout the day, and those germs and bacteria are transferred to your skin when you talk on the phone. This often causes breakouts or dry skin along the jawline. Easy alternative? Opt for text messaging, emailing, or video chatting instead.
8. Skipping sunscreen
Even if it seems cloudy or foggy out, that’s no excuse to skip the sunscreen. It doesn’t have to be super sunny out in order for the sun to be present and ready to do its damage. Ultraviolet and infrared rays can still sneak through and do a number on your skin. Lots of people forget to put sunscreen on their face, so be sure that you’re not one of them!
9. Drinking coffee on a regular basis
Coffee is great for keeping you awake, but it can also do some damage to your skin. Caffeine is dehydrating, which, in turn, dehydrates your skin, and causes redness and collagen loss. That’s not to say you should never drink coffee, but maybe think twice before getting that second drink at Starbucks.
10. Popping your pimples
It may seem like a good idea at the time or a quick, easy fix, but nothing good comes of picking at or popping your pimples. It can cause scarring, and it generally only makes your zits worse. After all, when you squeeze your pimple, you are actually pushing the debris deeper into the pore.
11. Not drinking enough water
Drinking lots of water is one of the easiest ways to get glowing, radiant skin. On the flip side, not drinking enough water can do damage to your skin. Dehydration can result in dull, lifeless skin. Hydrating is important for a variety of reasons and preventing dry skin is just one of them.
12. Skimping out on your sleep
Everyone knows that a lack of sleep can do harm to your body — it can ruin your metabolism, reduce your energy, and even cause headaches. But did you know that not getting enough sleep is also bad for your skin? Besides the puffy eyes and dark circles that come with not getting enough sleep, a long-term lack of sleep can break down collagen. Collagen is what keeps your skin smooth and full of elasticity.
13. Waxing your brows
Waxing your eyebrows is a completely normal activity, but it can also cause problems for your skin. For starters, waxing your eyebrows can burn your skin or even rip pieces of your skin off. Additionally, it’s possible that you can have an allergic reaction to the wax or the gel. Opt for threading, tweezing, or just going au natural. Threading is widely considered a better option to keep your skin looking great.
14. Piling on the makeup
Going heavy on the primer and foundation may seem like a good idea when you’re camouflaging your uneven skin tone and acne, but it may also have an impact on your skin. Too much makeup can clog your pores, preventing your skin from getting rid of negative toxins. Next time you have a huge acne breakout, consider going fresh-faced for a few days to give it time to heal.
15. Smoking (or being around smoke)
We’ve all heard that smoking is bad for your lungs, but did you know that it’s actually bad for your skin, too? Cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide, which dulls your skin and can also discolor it. Smoking speeds up your skin’s aging process, resulting in wrinkles earlier in life. For the good of your health and your skin, lay off the cigarettes and stay away from people while they’re smoking.