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These Bad Habits Can Ruin Your Skin: Here’s How To Fix It


Finding the time and motivation to complete a 3-step (let alone 10-step!) skincare system after a long day at work, school, or shuffling around town is an often challenging feat. By the time you cross off your daily to-dos the only form of self-care on your mind might be jumping into bed and dozing off under the covers. Before you catch up on your much-awaited ZZZs for the day, take a few moments to learn about these bad skin habits that are likely clogging your pores and causing breakouts.

5 Habits That Ruin Your Skin

You forget to wash your face before bed

Similar to brushing your teeth, you want to ideally wash your face twice a day. However, if that isn't possible, then you must wash your face every night before bed. When you forget to take off makeup, oil, dirt, and pollution, the build-up can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, and inflammation. Not only does this damage your skin, but it also transfers onto your pillowcases and bedding.

You skip the sunscreen

Whether it's a warm sunny day or cloudy outside, you should be applying sunscreen to your skin every day. Ultraviolet (UV) rays are damaging to the skin and can cause sun spots, wrinkles, or cancer (no matter if you sunburn or not). 

You destroy your zits

There's a difference between gently squeezing a white head and brutally squashing the inflamed volcano on your face. Most dermatologists advise against popping pimples as a whole since it can lead to scarring and infection. You can instead consider covering the spot with an acne patch to curb pimple popping.

You consume a ton of sugar

Refined carbs including pasta, bread, rice, cereals, and sweets speed up the aging process by damaging collagen. Instead, you should incorporate whole grains and colorful fruits and vegetables into your diet. Think of ways to substitute refined sugar from your favorite snacks. A few tasty alternatives include sorbet, chocolate avocado pudding, fresh fruit, parfaits, and granola bars. 

You over-exfoliate

You may be tempted to exfoliate flaky skin to create a smooth surface when your skin actually needs more moisture. Consider moisturizers and creams that leave your skin replenished rather than greasy (i.e. shea butter, cocoa butter, glycerin).

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Create Healthy Skin Habits

Here are a few key healthy habits that you can add to your daily routine for beautiful skin.

Get Moving

Incorporate exercise into your daily routine, even a 10 to 20-minute workout can do wonders. If you're already an early bird, wake up fifteen minutes earlier to master a new yoga pose and finish with a mindful meditation exercise, focusing on your breathing and internal thoughts. If you need an activity to separate your work life from your home life, consider taking a leisurely (and low-impact) ride on an electric bicycle around the block. Ebikes are easy on joints and are a great way to tackle riding uphill. The primary goal of whatever activity you choose is to get your blood flowing and nourishing your skin cells. Also, keep in mind that the CDC recommends adults exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.

Eat Consciously 

Focus on a healthy and well-balanced diet, as in the foods you are consuming (not a weight loss program). Foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids may protect the skin from sun damage and prevent dry, red, or itchy skin. Salmon is a great source of Omega-3s, which can be placed on a delicious breakfast sandwich, topped with avocado and perfectly cooked eggs or served as a smoked fillet alongside a bed of rice and greens. Antioxidants, like Vitamin C and E, can help with inflammation, collagen production, and neutralizing free radicals. Vitamin C and E are commonly found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, which are great options for a midday snack or salad/parfait topping.

Tidy Up

Many of us know that bedding should be washed every two weeks to eliminate dead skin cells, dirt, sweat, dust mites, and more (gross!). Remember to clean anything that comes into daily contact with your face at least once a week. This includes makeup brushes, face scrubbers, face towels, etc. You can easily clean makeup brushes and face scrubbers by running them under hot water, squeezing excess makeup/dirt off, lathering with soap, rinsing thoroughly, and drying. This may seem like a tedious process but a clean brush or face scrubber easily beats clogged pores.

Establish a Self-Care Routine

Design an attainable self-care routine that helps you work towards your goals, healthiness, and happiness. Track your progress in a journal and celebrate your accomplishments no matter how small they may seem.

A few examples of self-care goals include:

  • Taking a shower every day

  • Washing your face every night

  • Following a regular sleep routine

  • Cleaning your linens every two weeks

  • Washing your makeup brushes every week

  • Exercising regularly (thirty minutes, five days a week)

  • Meditating, focusing on breathing exercises

  • Journaling (daily tasks, accomplishments, notes)

  • Reading twenty minutes a day

  • Learning something new (hobby, language, etc.)

  • Eating a balanced diet and staying hydrated

  • Wearing sunscreen no matter the weather

Creating a balanced lifestyle can help alleviate some of the stressors affecting your skin via wrinkles, rashes, itching, breakouts, and bumps. 

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Stay Consistent 

Consistency is key to eliminating everyday habits that are bad for your skin. A well-rounded skincare routine takes your health and ability into account. You want to avoid committing to too many skin resolutions to prevent overwhelming or disappointing outcomes. Think of how much time you can reasonably dedicate to washing your face and how you can incorporate healthy habits without adding friction to your already busy day. 

A plan will help curb your urge to jump into bed right after the day is done and put your body, mind, and skin first. These small tips add up to clean skin in the long run and will leave you feeling confident and proud of your new healthy skin habits.