16 WAYS YOU ARE RUINING YOUR SKIN (WITHOUT EVEN REALIZING IT)

We all know that the key to looking and feeling young lies on proper skincare, good diet, a consistent exercise routine and sun protection. Unfortunately while we continue to invest in all of the above, it turns out that there are many seemingly harmless things that can cancel them all out. In other words, your habits may be secretly ruining your efforts to stay as youthful looking as possible.

Fortunately there is no need to panic because we are here for you. Keep reading below for the 16 common habits that are making you look older than you are - then quit them ASAP.

DRINKING OUT OF STRAWS

Yes it is true, repeated straw drinking causes people to squish their lips and can create wrinkle from the repetitive muscle motion. This is very similar to how frowning causes wrinkles on the upper face. Plastic straws are also bad for the environment, even more of a reason to stop using them. Get in the habit of drinking straight from your glass to prevent wrinkles and pollution.

TESTING TOO MANY PRODUCTS

We understand how hard it can be to stick to a consistent routine when you constantly see the words “Products To Try” all over social media, blogs and newsletters. If you are in a constant state of trying and testing too many products at once, you are asking for a skin nightmare. Challenge yourself to stick to a consistent routine for at least 3 weeks. And because we know that Beauty Product FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is real, if you must try a new product, always test it out on a small patch of skin first.

SLEEPING WITH MAKEUP ON

This one is no surprise but we had to include it because sleeping with a full face of makeup is still a popular habit. It is a bad habit that leaves residue on your pillow case which leads to bacterial infections and clogged pores that can cause acne. Before bed, try to correlate brushing your teeth with washing your face so you can never skip a night. And if you can’t make it to the bathroom, keep natural makeup removing wipes close to your bed for an easy removal before you fall asleep.

USING DRYER SHEETS

Anti-static dryer sheets are the chemical solution to preventing clothes from sticking and wrapping around each other. They contain a lot of the toxic 12 ingredients to make clothes soft, wrinkle free, anti static and smell fresh. The effects of using dry sheets range from allergic dermatitis to allergies and asthma. To avoid having to use them, try adding baking soda to the wash cycle or purchase reusable chemical free dryer cloths.

TAKING FREQUENT LONG HOT SHOWERS

While taking long hot steamy showers feels relaxing, it actually strips away the outermost layer of the epidermis. This causes the skin to be dry and flaky which accelerates the speed of aging. Instead showering once a day with lukewarm water is preferable.

POPPING PIMPLES

This can’t be stressed enough - Picking at your skin will only prolong the healing process! Unless you are an expert extractor (which many of us are not), you are not doing your skin any favors and instead could be spreading an infection. If you are tempted to pick or pop, wrap an ice cube with a clean cloth and massage the affected area to reduce inflammation.

TALKING ON THE PHONE

Phones, or cell phones in our case, are one of the dirtiest items we own. Think about it. We eat with it in our hands, use the toilet with it, workout with it, set it down on any surface and even worse- we almost never clean it. The bacteria that can live on our phones exposes your skin to acne. Try wiping down your cell phone once a day.

GETTING HAIR PRODUCTS ON YOUR FACE

It is so easy to forget how close we are to our face when applying hair products like hairspray, shampoo and conditioner. While you might not feel the residue on your face, you will definitely see the consequences of it on your skin days later. When applying hair products, protect your skin by covering it with a clean towel.

EATING TOO MUCH SODIUM

A diet high in sodium actually draws the moisture from your skin, making it appear dry, flaky and dull. Challenge yourself to not use a salt shaker when eating, this should help reduce your intake immediately. 

SQUINTING YOUR EYES

Not wearing sunglasses when out in the sun or wearing outdated contacts and glasses will cause you to squint more and in turn lead to fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes. To avoid this unnecessary aging, wear sunglasses that have UV protectant and visit your eye doctor at least once a year.

WASHING YOUR FACE WITH TAP WATER

Tap water is filled with chlorine and other elements that can leave a chemical build up on your skin, leading to dry, dull and blemished skin. Invest in a shower head filter that will purify the water you wash your face with everyday.

NOT REMEMBERING YOUR LIPS

Did you know that three to five cellular layers of skin rest upon your lips, pushing them towards the top of your beauty regimen. Frequently dry chapped lips will cause them to age faster. Find balms  to use that contain shea butter or cocoa butter ingredients.

SLEEPING ON DIRTY PILLOWCASES

You may think you’re indulging in a bit of beauty sleep when you fall asleep, but the opposite could in fact be true. If you regularly sleep with the same side of your face pressed against a cotton pillowcase- and wash it infrequently, this may cause oil and dirt buildup and creases on the skin which can eventually turn into acne, fine lines and wrinkles. To help stay youthful overnight, try sleeping on your back instead, or switch to a silk or satin pillowcase to create less compression wrinkles and help maintain skin’s moisture levels.

THE PLASTIC ON YOUR DRY-CLEANED CLOTHES

I know we all like to leave the plastic on our dry cleaned clothes to keep them from getting tampered with but did you know the longer the plastic stays on your clothes, the more skin-harming chemicals that are absorbed? To avoid skin irritation, take the plastic off as soon as you get home to allow the fabrics to breathe.

KEEPING YOUR ON AC FULL BLAST

Excessive cooling air strips your skin of its moisture because the AC reduces the humidity and moisture in the air. Instead of turning it up, keep the thermostat at the recommended 78 degrees F which will not only allow your skin extra moisture but also be energy efficient.

WAXING TOO OFTEN

Running to your waxing salon too often can result in raw skin, irritation and increased bumps. Give your skin at least three weeks to regenerate - especially in sensitive areas. The same applies to tweezing hairs too. Your pores are left open so it is important to wash all hair removal tools with antibacterial soap before each use.