5 Unhealthy Skincare Habits to Avoid

*This is a collaborative post.

Did you know that your skin is your largest body organ? As such, it is vital to take good care of it. However, having healthy and glowing skin takes a conscious effort. You will have to try out several products to see what works best and what doesn’t. You must evaluate your skincare habits if you have religiously followed natural skincare advice and still don’t see much improvement. Bad skincare habits can damage your skin’s health and prevent you from seeing your desired results. Are you wondering what you can do differently for your skin? Here are five unhealthy skincare habits you need to avoid. 

1. Over exfoliating 

You have probably heard of the amazing benefits of exfoliation. It helps to get rid of dead skin cells and unclogs your pores. However, did you know over-exfoliating can give you the opposite results? Over-exfoliating will strip your skin of all the necessary oils and make it super sensitive and dehydrated. Tell-tale signs of over-exfoliating include acne breakouts, redness, inflammation and skin irritation. Exfoliating two or three times a week is advisable to achieve the best results. 

2. Sleeping with your makeup 

Although you may be tempted to jump into bed with your makeup still on after a busy day, it may harm your skin if you do it consistently. Sleeping with your makeup can prevent your pores from breathing, which will, in turn, cause breakouts and bacterial infections. Ensure that you clean your makeup as well as this can harbour even more bacteria! Clean makeup with facial wipes and cleanse your skin with an appropriate cleanser for your skin type. Apply moisturizer and lip balm to retain moisture. It’s also beneficial to use clean brushes when you are reapplying your makeup. 

3. Biting your lips 

Licking or biting your lips can be an unconscious habit, especially in winter. It seems easier to moisten your lips by licking them, but this leads to dry, cracked lips. To keep your lips healthy, you need to exfoliate with a lip scrub, stay hydrated, and use a moisturizing lip balm or lip balm with an SPF. A lip balm with SPF will protect your lips from premature aging and painful sores caused by overexposure to the sun. 

4. Hot showers 

Getting a hot shower can be divine, especially after a long day or on a cold winter night. As much as it helps to open up your pores and flush out toxins, taking a long hot shower can damage your skin in the long run. It can strip your skin of its natural oils and moisture balance. Furthermore, it can inflame your skin and strip it of the proteins that keep it healthy. According to experts, your shower time should be between five to ten minutes. 

5. Stress 

Thriving on little to no sleep can cause high levels of stress. Coupled with your busy schedule during the day, this is a recipe for skin disaster! When you sleep, a natural process helps blood flow to the skin, keeping it healthy. However, lack of quality sleep disrupts that. Stress can also lead to breakouts due to the overproduction of cortisol. Therefore, developing a healthy sleep routine, so you feel well-rested is imperative. Once you have a regular sleep schedule, your skin will go through its natural processes and help to ensure you have a glowing complexion.

Adopting these simple and easy skincare habits will help your skin stay in good condition and improve its overall appearance.