When it comes to taking care of your skin, no one is perfect—everyone has at least one (or three) bad skincare habits that are, unfortunately, causing your complexion more harm than good in the long haul.
In the name of transparency, I, a professional beauty writer, cannot fight the unbridled urge to pop a pimple on my face—I literally have to avoid mirrors if I have a zit, lest I go on an archaeological excavation of my face and make it look far worse than a darn inflamed blackhead could.
In order to achieve your healthiest skin ever, the time has come to leave your harmful skincare mistakes behind. Here, Dyana Pollino, licensed esthetician at Timeless Med Spa in Berlin, NJ, sheds light on five common skincare vices, plus her pro tips and healthy skin alternatives to help you kick these bad habits for good so your skin can thrive.
1. Touching your face
Putting your hands on your face is something you probably do more often than you realize: resting your chin in your hands when you’re bored, wiping your mouth with the back of your hand, rubbing your eyes when you’re tired. The bad news is, this subconscious habit can be wrecking havoc on your skin (it can also be making you sick).
“Touching your face spreads bacteria,” explains Pollino. “Bacteria, with the mixture of sweat and oil that your body naturally makes, is what makes pimples form.”
To help keep unwanted breakouts at bay, keep your hands and other objects (like your cell phone, which is ten times dirtier than a toilet seat) away from your face.
2. Popping pimples
Blemishes can be painful, unsightly, and upsetting, and leaving them alone feels impossible (especially if one pops up before a party)—but that’s exactly what you should be doing.
“Trying to get rid of whiteheads, especially if they are red and infected, will just spread that specific infection and leave scarring on the surface of your face,” explains Pollino. The best thing you can do is just let ’em pop up.
If you’re a picker, make sure you always have hydrocolloid pimple patches on hand. Not only do they effectively spot-treat a blemish and promote faster healing, but the sticker provides a protective barrier so you can’t pick what’s underneath—a win-win.
Do you regularly struggle with acne? Make an appointment with a dermatologist, who can help you find a skincare routine for acne-prone skin that works best for you and your complexion.
Lastly, give yourself some grace. “Remember that no one sees your imperfections the way you do!” says Pollino.
3. Not washing your face every day
PSA for women and men everywhere: it’s of utmost importance to wash your face twice a day—once in the morning, and once in the evening.
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4. Not drinking enough water and eating the wrong foods
Beautiful, vibrant skin starts from the inside out; what you put in your body (and what you don’t consume enough of) has a direct effect on the health and appearance of your skin.
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5. Skipping daily sunscreen
Let’s shout it louder for the people in the back: “Regardless of the weather and season, be it hot, cold, sunny, or snowing, you need to be wearing sunscreen 365 days of the year," urges Pollino.
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