Kicking the Bad Skincare Habits

We all have some bad skin habits that we just can’t seem to kick, and the sheer quantity of pimple-popping videos and strange DIY skin mask recipes on Pinterest are proof! While it’s fine to want an awesome mask selfie for Instagram, some of the skin mistakes you’re making could do lasting damage and make the things you wanted to correct even worse!
 

Steamy Hot Showers

An occasional steamy and hot shower can be delightful, but it also strips away the top layer of the epidermis. That can cause dry and scaly skin. Your skin in the winter might not just be dry because of lower humidity, but also because of your extra-hot showers to warm up. If your skin gets red or starts to itch in the shower, it’s time to step out!
 

Popping Pimples

It might seem harmless to pick at a blemish on your skin, but you could be doing some serious damage to yourself. Believe it or not, I’ve actually seen people need to go on antibiotics due to infections contracted picking at pimples with safety pins, their fingers and more! It might not seem like it, but the more that you pick at ingrown hairs, pimples and other spots on your body, the more inflammation you are creating underneath. Over time, this leads to discoloration and scars that can last for months, years or the rest of your life.
 

Harsh Exfoliants

Is there such a thing as too much of a good thing? Yes! Instead of using harsh apricot scrubs or even high-quality chemical treatments frequently, you should stick to using them once a week or as prescribed by a dermatologist. Your skin needs time to heal and regenerate when you remove dead skin cells, and exfoliating too often does more harm than good.
 

Not Moisturizing Enough

If you have acne, it might seem like logic to avoid moisturizing your skin. After all, it’s already oily enough! In reality, your skin needs moisture just as much to help balance oil production levels and prevent your skin from attempting to overcompensate. Failing to moisturize leads to even more pimples and oil.
 

Fidgeting with Your Eyes Too Much

The skin around your eye is very thin, which makes it incredibly delicate and susceptible to damage. It is also the first place where aging signs typically show up. You should be incredibly gentle when putting products on your eyes, taking off make-up and even wiping your eyes in the morning.
 

Neglecting your Pillowcases

Every day, your hair and face collect dirt, oil and air pollutants. When you lie down at night, even if you've washed your hair and face, you are still leaving dead skin cells and sweat behind on your pillowcase. Not washing your pillowcase regularly can clog your pores, cause pimples and exacerbate allergy symptoms. Make a habit of changing your pillowcase once a week, or more often if you experience skin irritation.
 

Skipping your SPF

If the sun isn't out, you can skip your sunscreen, right? Nope! Up to 80% of the sun's rays can pass through clouds, and snow can reflect over 80% of UV rays to damage your skin. Make sure you wear SPF every day, even if the weather outside is frightful.