9 Everyday Activities That May Be Damaging Your Skin
Did you know that you might sabotaging your own skin? If you are guilty of doing these everyday activities you may be damaging your skin.
Using an overly harsh cleanser
Many people use cleansers that dry out their skin thinking it will decrease oils on the face and thus decrease acne. However, your harsh cleanser could be stripping your skin of its natural (good) oils and ruining its protective barrier; both of which could lead to more oil production and breakouts. Instead, consider choosing a gentle everyday cleanser like Priori Advanced AHA Gentle Facial Cleanser or Caliderma Gentle Cleanser, which will deeply cleanse the pores without over drying the skin.
Sleepless nights
Sleep is good for the entire body, including the skin. When you are sleep-deprived you’ll notice the development of annoying issues such as under-eye circles and pale skin. Make sure to get an adequate amount of sleep consistently each night.
Using Cotton Pillowcases
Your super comfy pillow could be hurting your skin. Persistent face rubbing on the typical cotton pillowcase can advance the effects of aging by breaking collagen down. Switching to a silk or satin based pillow like Save My Face can reduce pillow-caused friction. Also make sure to wash your pillowcases regularly to minimize issues stemming from pillow residue.
Sleeping with makeup on
Leaving your makeup on overnight is one of the worst things you can do for your complexion. Failing to properly remove makeup and cleanse the skin before bed time clogs the pores; making them appear larger while leading to acne breakouts. Also makeup that is left on the skin for such a long period is often linked to skin inflammation, redness and irritation.
Skincare products in jars
Many ingredients in anti-aging products can become corrupt from exposure to light or air, making them less effective in fighting the effects of aging. They also run the additional risk of contamination if fingers are not completely clean during prior use. If your product is currently in a jar, trash it and use something tube-based.
Phone Chatter
Your cell phone is a breeding ground for skin harming bacteria. Every time you take a call and press your phone to your cheek you are transferring this bacteria while trapping oil within the pore – both of which can lead to acne breakouts.
Pimple Popping
Improperly popping a pimple (when the pimple is squeezed from its sides) almost always leads to deeper infections and enlarged pores. The proper pimple popping technique of applying downward pressure to the skin can be difficult without the right tools and experience. Try to resist popping that pimple. If it looks really ready to pop simply washing your face with a clean wash cloth can provide all the necessary pressure for draining without the risks of popping. If you need additional help seek assistance from a dermatologist or licensed aesthetician.
Skincare Product Overuse
If you regularly have issues with skin redness, sensitivity, and flaking, you may be overusing certain skincare products. You want to develop a sound skincare regimen that utilizes the least amount of product possible while addressing your unique needs. See our guide to developing a great skincare routine.
Applying Out of Order
In general, the proper order to apply your products is to start with the light-weight products (serums and lighter lotions), then apply the heavier products (thicker creams). Applying heavier products first can actually prevent light-weight treatments from penetrating the skin. So make sure to go from light to heavy which usually means toner > serum > cream.
Erin Foster is a licensed aesthetician experienced in analyzing and determining which treatments are best for each individual client’s needs. She has diverse knowledge in skin care products and ingredients. Erin specializes in laser hair removal, IPL, V-Beam, chemical peels, HydraFacials, Cooltouch, and microdermabrasion.