7 Daily Habits That Wreak Havoc on Your Skin (That Pretty Much All of Us are Guilty Of)
by Tiffany Walking Eagle | 3-minute read
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1. Not Washing Your Makeup Off.
Most of us have fallen asleep with makeup on from time to time, but doing so too often can damage and age your skin. You'll notice more blackheads and blemishes starting to develop and an overall dull look to the skin. Try your best to wash off your face full of makeup so you can wake up with a clean, fresh face. Even if you skip washing in the morning (some people swear by this method!) make sure to scrub it at night.
Related post: 12 Lazy Girl Beauty Hacks That Will Change Your Life
2. Over-washing Your Face.
As much as leaving makeup on can damage your face by clogging up pores, over-washing can lead to excessive dryness or even the overproduction of oil because your skin is so parched it's trying to balance out moisture levels. It's often recommended to wash your face no more than twice a day, but I've tried a new method lately that I've been loving where I double wash and tone my face at night, then don't wash it in the morning and just use toner to freshen up. Check out this article to learn a bit about why not washing your face in the morning can give surprisingly awesome results.
3. Not Cleaning Your Phone.
Phones hold on to a disturbing amount of bacteria. (Don't believe me? Check this out.) Simply wiping your phone with an antibacterial wipe as often as you can will help decrease the amount of nasty germs touching your face and causing breakouts.
4. Never Washing Makeup Brushes.
I have to admit, I'm really bad about cleaning my makeup brushes as often as you're supposed to. However, bacteria will build up in those old, dirty brushes, to aim to clean them at least every couple of weeks. Or, if you're lazy like me, try out a brush cleaning spray like this one between deep cleans.
5. Stress.
Unfortunately, stress can cause a number of skin issues such as dryness, excessive oil production, breakouts, and under-eye bags. Do your face a favor and make de-stressing a priority. Take a relaxing bath with a face mask on and a glass of your favorite wine in hand. Go for a walk while listening to your favorite music. Maybe try a soothing yoga flow. Whatever activity is your favorite way to unwind, make time for it, for your own well-being and the health of your skin.
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6. Getting Too Little Sleep.
Sleep is when your body repairs itself, so if you're not getting enough sleep, you're robbing your body and your skin of nourishment and the replenishment it needs. Sleep deprivation can result in dark circles and an overall dull appearance in your skin, so whether you're someone who functions optimally on 6 hours of sleep or 10, be sure you're getting enough.
7. Dehydration.
Water really does seem to fix everything, doesn't it? The same is true for your skin. If you're dehydrated, it may show on your face in the form of dullness, dryness, sensitivity, and itchy skin. Luckily, you can easily solve dehydration by drinking water! (Ugh, hello, Captain Obvious.) You're supposed to be drinking at least half your body weight in ounces of water daily, so whatever that amounts to, make it your goal to consume at least that much no matter what.
What's your favorite skin care hack? Let me know in the comments!