When it comes to glowy, healthy, radiant skin, there are lots of things you should do. (Read: cleanse, tone, moisture and wear sunscreen.) But what about the things you shouldn’t do? You know, those naughty little habits that don’t seem to cause much damage now, but will definitely do so down the track? Well, we’ve made a list of the top 10 skin care don’ts, and it’s definitely worth checking. Twice, even.
SKIN CARE RULE #1: DON’T SMOKE
This is an obvious one, but there’s a reason it’s at the top of this list – after sun exposure, smoking is one of the biggest causes of skin damage. The skin of a smoker will tend to wrinkle faster than that of a non-smoker because it pumps your body full of dangerous toxins. The nicotine in cigarettes also constricts your blood vessels, which leads to a decrease in flow of oxygen to the skin.
SKIN CARE RULE #2: DON’T LIE OUT IN THE SUN EXCESSIVELY
Yes, we all need around 15 minutes a day to ensure adequate vitamin D levels, however, too much time spent in the sun will cause a number of skin issues. These include age spots, pigmentation and lowered collagen production, which result in the early onset of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as an increased chance of developing skin cancer. So slather yourself in SPF 30 or above each and every day to maintain healthy, youthful, plump skin for as long as possible.
SKIN CARE RULE #3: DON’T ATTEMPT CRAZY DIETS
Without a balanced diet full of nutrients to feed your cells, your skin will miss out on much-needed vitamins that keep it looking youthful and healthy. (Think vitamins A, C, B, and E, just to name a few.) This means skipping meals or removing entire food groups from your diet is a huge no-no, as doing so will cause your skin to dry out and age faster. So, eat nutrient-rich foods at every meal to feed not just your body and mind, but your skin too.
SKIN CARE RULE #4: DON’T DRINK TOO MUCH COFFEE
I love coffee, you love coffee, we all love coffee. However, keeping your caffeine addiction to one cup a day is wise, as too much of your morning energy boost can dehydrate your skin, which makes fines lines and wrinkles more prominent. And if you’re one of the many who add a spoonful or two of sugar to your cup, I’d rethink it – sugar attacks your natural collagen production, causing premature skin ageing.
SKIN CARE RULE #5: DON’T SHOWER TOO OFTEN
This is not an invitation to stop showering all together. Oh no. Just keep your showers to two per day, or one if you’ve got sensitive, easily irritated skin. Why? Showers strip you skin of its natural moisture, even more so if the water is hot. To combat this, keep your showers as short as possible, and always moisturise afterwards from top-to-toe while your skin is still damp.
SKIN CARE RULE #6: DON’T TOUCH YOUR FACE ALL THE TIME
We touch our face hundreds and hundreds of times each day. Strange, but true. But considering our fingers are generally not completely clean, this can lead to skin irritations and pimples. You won’t ever stop completely, but being mindful will cut your face touching down tenfold.
SKIN CARE RULE #7: DON’T THINK YOUR FOUNDATION IS A SUNSCREEN
I know it has an SPF, and I know you think it provides adequate protection, but it doesn’t. Honestly. This is because you’ll never actually apply enough product onto your face to make use of its full SPF. It’s probably not broad-spectrum either, which means you’re only protecting yourself from the UVB rays (burning rays), not the UVA rays (ageing rays) too. Always pop on a 30+ sunscreen before your foundation to ensure you’re suitably protected.
SKIN CARE RULE #8: DON’T DRINK TOO MUCH ALCOHOL
Yes, a glass of red contains a bout of skin-loving antioxidants, but too much alcohol in general can wreak havoc with your skin. Alcohol is dehydrating, making fine lines and wrinkles more prominent. It also makes your skin look flushed and blotchy, which is not good news if you’re after a youthful even skin tone.
SKIN CARE RULE #9: DON’T SPEND TOO LONG TALKING ON YOUR MOBILE PHONE
We’re all guilty of putting our phones on various counters, in our handbag and numerous other places, which contain germs and bacteria. Yet, we don’t think twice about placing it against our face without giving it a wipe down, which can result in breakouts and irritations occuring around the jawline and cheeks. Keep an anti-bacterial wipe handy to ensure your phone and your skin stays clean.
SKIN CARE RULE #10: DON’T BECOME LAZY
And by lazy I mean skipping your nightly cleanse in favour of some more shut-eye, or thinking you don’t need an eye cream or moisturiser because you’ve got sensational skin now. The ageing process will catch-up with you, but if you build a solid skin care regime from a young age, you’ll postpone said process for a whole lot longer. Promise.
Do you take really good care of your skin? Or are you a little slack when it comes to treating it with care? And do you commit any of these 10 skin sins on a regular basis
