11 Everyday Habits That Harm Your Skin

images-16

Have you ever wondered what the secret to having supple, perfect skin is? Well, believe it or not, there are things you’re doing every day that are keeping you from achieving that flawless look.

Here are 20 things that may be preventing a healthy glow.

1. Forgetting to moisturize
When you forget to moisturize your face at night, your skin can build up bacteria that causes breakouts. While you snooze, your skin can also get dry and flakey. Your moisturizer aids your skin’s nightly restoration process, so don’t forget!

2. Your smartphone
Don’t get too grossed out, but your smartphone has 18 times more bacteria than a public restroom. All the bacteria ends up on your face because it’s on your phone! Gross! Be sure to give your phone a nice wipe down with a moist disinfectant wipe each day to avoid germs.

3. Lack of sleep
When you sleep, your skin starts to repair itself. When you don’t get an adequate amount of sleep, your skin can start to show signs of wrinkles and aging. If you constantly skip out on getting enough sleep you will start to notice dark circles under your eyes and may even see permanent skin damage.

4. Touching your face
Touching your face can be a trigger for acne. Your hands are covered with oils and bacteria, so when you touch your face, those extra oils from your hands can clog pores. If you’re in the habit of touching your face, you will notice little acne volcanoes popping up on your cheeks, nose, and forehead.

5. Popping acne
Although there are some avid pimple poppers in the world, popping a zit is one of the deadly sins of ruining your skin. Dermatologists warn that picking at blemishes can leave lasting scars and discolorations.

6. Taking hot showers
Though you might think you need a hot, steamy shower to melt away your stress, your skin does not. The hot steam can strip your skin of its natural, healthy oils. Keep showers short and at a lukewarm temperature for healthy skin.

7. Too much sugar

Sugary drinks and treats are your skin’s worst enemy. The increased sugar intake can cause hormonal acne and make your skin suffer from stiffness. Sugar also makes it hard for your skin to reduce inflammation and can increase your chance of wrinkles.

8. Your pillow case
Yep! Your pillowcase is crawling with dead skin cells and bacteria. Even if you shower every night before bed, your pillowcase is still prone to the excess oils and sweat on your face. If you are constantly breaking out, try changing your pillowcase once a week.

9. Caffeine
That Diet Coke may taste great, but your skin doesn’t think so! Caffeine in a natural dehydrator. It also makes your liver work overtime, which can cause toxins to build up inside your body. With excess toxins comes a disruption in your skin’s ability to restore itself.

10. Sleeping with makeup
If you can’t bear to be without makeup, you may be making your own skin problems. Sleeping with your makeup on can cause dry skin, acne, wrinkles and disrupts the natural color of your complexion. So, take an extra five minutes at night to remove your makeup; you will be grateful in the long run.

11. Dehydration
Make sure to get your suggested amount of water intake each day. Your skin needs to be hydrated to keep it glowing.