Bad Skin Care Habits To Break Immediately

Certain skin care habits can help our skin and other habits just damage our skin.  The skin sins listed below need to be broken ASAP.  Get rid of these bad habits and enjoy beautiful skin.

Not Using Sun Protection

There are more than a few good reasons to use sunscreen daily.  With skin cancer rates on the rise  you need to continually protect your skin from the sun.  Skin cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer and with 90% of non-melanoma skin cancer caused by sun exposure you can take your health into your hands by applying sunscreen.

The other reason to apply sunscreen liberally and frequently is to prevent fine lines and wrinkles.  An Australian study proved what dermatologists and estheticians have been saying forever - that the diligent use of sunscreen slows the development of wrinkles and sagging skin.  If something as easy can applying sunscreen can help you look younger for longer why wouldn't you use it?I always recommend to my clients to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30. No need to go overboard and get SPF 100.  SPF 30 will give you great protection as long as you apply your sunscreen liberally and frequently.  By frequently I mean reapply every two to three hours when spending time outside and after sweating and swimming.

Picking and Popping Pimples

When you pop or pick at your pimples you make your breakouts and acne worse.  Though it can be very tempting to squeeze your pimples resist that temptation!  Why?  When you pop your pimples you can push the acne bacteria and the infection deeper into your skin instead of getting it out.  This could actually make your acne worse instead of better. Furthermore, when you take matters into your own hands (literally, no pun intended) you run the risk of scarring your skin.

Going Overboard

It can actually be quite easy to go overboard when it comes to skin care products.  Case in point - exfoliation.  You can definitely over exfoliate your skin leaving your face raw, red, and irritated. Though exfoliation is a necessary and needed skin care step it is very easy to over do it by using products that are too strong and/or using exfoliation products too frequently.  When you treat your skin in this manner you actually destroy the skin's protective qualities opening the doors to skin that cannot hold onto moisture, that is easy irritated and inflamed, and worst case scenario becomes infected.

Using The Wrong Products

I recently had a client who was using all the wrong products for her skin, and after reviewing her home skin care routine I understood why her skin wasn't looking and feeling its best.  While my client had skin that was on the normal to dry side she was using products for oily skin which caused her skin to neither look nor feel its best.  So let me make it clear - you need to find the right skin care products for your skin.  You shouldn't use certain skin care products just because a celebrity swears by them or your best friend with perfect skin uses them.  You shouldn't use a skin care product because you got it on sale.  If you have oily skin and you use a moisturizer for dry skin you could run the risk of clogging your pores and developing acne.  Or just the opposite - if you have dry skin and use a product for oily skin your skin can become even more dry and even irritated.  Take the time to properly assess your skin care needs.  If you're confused about what you need seek professional help - have a consultation with an esthetician.

Not Washing Your Face/Not Removing Your Make Up 

I cannot tell you how many clients tell me that they never wash their face.  People aren't even ashamed to admit this anymore and that is too bad.  Proper cleansing is the foundation of any skin care routine.  Without this crucial step your skin will never look its best.  If you keep applying products and make up on skin that hasn't been properly cleansed you can damage your skin, your products won't be absorbed properly, and your skin will look dull and lifeless.  It only takes about a minute - morning and night - in order to cleanse your skin so be sure to make time for this essential task.