We’re all a little naughty sometimes, and that’s perfectly ok. Some rules really are meant to be broken, and being a wee bit mischievous certainly does make life interesting.

However, when it comes to your skin, indulging in cheeky habits on a regular basis can leave you looking older than your years. A lot older. So, if you’re currently committing any of these skin crimes it’s probably a good idea to stop, stat.

RELATED: Prickly pear oil is Nigella Lawson’s secret to youthful skin

RELATED: I’ve tried a zillion serums and these are 8 of the best in my book

7 BAD SKIN HABITS TO STOP NOW

#1 You’re not using a broad-spectrum sunscreen

Unfortunately, not all sunscreens are created equal. To effectively ward off both UVA (ageing) and UVB (burning) damage, you must use a product that states it provides broad-spectrum protection. If it doesn’t, ditch it now. Oh, and don’t be shy when it comes to application, either – your face and neck require a whole teaspoon of product to be fully protected.
Try:Hamilton Everday Face Sunscreen and Hawaiian Tropic Duo Defence Face Lotion SPF50+.

#2 You’re delaying your anti-ageing regimen

Prevention is always better than cure. We know this. So, start using eye cream around age 18, serums from age 25 onwards, and hard-working anti-ageing ingredients like retinol when you reach your mid-30s. If you treat your skin well from the get-go, you can effectively delay the signs of ageing before they even start to form, giving you smoother, more youthful skin for a whole lot longer.
Try:Bellamer Botanical Skin Care Hydration Plus for Eyes,  Swissline Cell Shock Age Intelligence™ Essential Serum and Ultraderm Rapid Retinol Concentrate.

#3 You’re using certain products at the wrong time

We’ll pat anyone on the back who adds exceptional anti-ageing ingredients to their skin care regimen, however, the times at which you use these ingredients matters a lot. Antioxidants like vitamin C should be used in the AM in order to fight UV and free radical damage during the day, while collagen-boosting ingredients (think retinoids and peptides) and chemical exfoliators like alpha and beta hydroxy acids should be used at night while your skin is in repair mode.
Try:Skin Physics OXYGEN-C Brightening Daily Moisturiser SPF15,  Paula’s Choice Resist Daily Smoothing Treatment with 5% AHA andSKIN by ecostore Replenishing Night Cream

#4 You’re pretending your skin hasn’t changed

As we age, our skin gets drier, thinner and sometimes even more sensitive. This means using the same skin care products you used in your early 20s just won’t cut it in your 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond. Figure out what your skin issues are right now (read: wrinkles, pigmentation or redness) and adjust your products accordingly.
Try:abeeco Bee Venom Pure Perfection Cream with Natural8™, John Plunkett’s Skin Treatments JP Sunspot Cream or Jurlique Calendula Redness Rescue Calming Mist.

#5 You’re neglecting your eyes

Your eye area cops a lot of flack. It’s an essential part of expression, but because the skin is thinner than anywhere else on your face, it’s prone to fine lines and wrinkles. This means you need to stop rubbing your eye area, stat – this can break fragile blood vessels and cause crinkling – and start applying an anti-ageing eye cream morning and night.
Try:CeraVe Eye Repair Cream or Ella Baché SpiruLines Wrinkle Eye Cream.

#6 You treat your adult acne like teenage pimples

When you’re a teenager, your blemishes are caused by puberty and excessive oil production. When you’re an adult, it’s generally stress, hormonal changes and your changing skin type that trigger them to form. So, instead of trying to strip your skin of all its oil in an attempt to clear your zits like you did in your teenage years, try using a cleanser that contains salicylic acid to help unblock pores and rid your skin of congestion, as well as weekly purifying masks to further promote clear skin.
Try: Neutrogena Deep Clean® Cream Cleanser and Ultraceuticals Ultra Clear Purifying Mask.

#7 You forget about your neck and chest

You’ve really got to stop doing this. Your face does not end at your jawline – it ends at your boobs. Your neck and décolletage are always on show, so treat them with the same level of respect you do your face and extend your cleansers, exfoliators, serums, moisturisers and sunscreens all the way down to your breasts.
Try:Nimue Al Neck & Décolleté Cream and Skin Republic Neck + Décolletage Repair.

*This article has been updated since its original publication.

Do you currently commit any of these skin sins? Will you be changing the way you treat your skin from now on?