Deanna Pai, Glamour
Some habits are bad for you—and you know
it. See: Texting your ex, not flossing, and spending more time on your
couch than at the gym. (It's really comfortable, OK?) But others can fly
under the radar, especially when it comes to your skin health. Habits
that seem like they'd be good for your complexion, like applying SPF
every morning, might not be enough to counteract time and gravity.
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Here,
what's damaging your skin without you even realizing it. Fix them, and
you set yourself up for gorgeous, glowing skin through your 30s and
beyond.
1. Falling asleep with your makeup on.
It's
a universal beauty truth: Sleep is great for your skin, since overnight
is when your skin cells get chance to repair the day's damage. As long
as you're getting eight hours of shut-eye, there's virtually no way to
miss out on its perks—unless you happen to hit the sheets without
washing your face first. Not only can that makeup potentially clog your
pores, but it can also make matters worse if you happen to have sensitive or easily irritated skin.
2. Applying sunscreen only once during the day.
Sunscreen only lasts two hours.
(There, we've effectively ruined your day.) By the time you run out to
grab lunch or hop in the car for your commute home, its protective
effects have worn off—but the UV rays are still going strong. That's why
it's essential to reapply your sunscreen throughout the day. If you
don't want to wreck your makeup, look for a powder formula or a cushion
version that you can lightly tap on over it.
[post_ads_2]3. Not exfoliating on a regular basis.
Here's
the rub: "As your skin ages, dead skin cells more quickly accumulate on
the surface," says Dr. Tim Falla, VP of Research and Development at
Rodan + Fields. "You must clear off dead skin cells first to give the
products that follow an opportunity to be effective." For the best
results, your best bet is to take a multi-pronged approach to
exfoliation. Rodan + Fields' four-step Reverse Brightening regimen
offers the Reverse Deep Exfoliating Wash, which uses physical
exfoliants to slough off dead cells, as well as Reverse Intensive
Brightening Toner, which then gently dissolves dead cells that remain
with salicylic acid.
4. Staying up past your bedtime.
If you're burning the midnight oil, you're not only sacrificing an energy reboot, but also your skin's health.
As we mentioned, your cells are no longer dealing with everything
that's assaulting it during the day—think ultraviolet radiation,
pollution, and the everyday grime and grease—so it can finally
prioritize taking care of itself. (Think of it as your skin's equivalent
of coming home to a quiet, peaceful spot after a long day at the
office.) If you skip it, though, you miss out on the results of that
repair, like enhanced radiance and firmer skin—and your skin looks more
dull and drawn because of it.
[post_ads_2]5. Using your makeup brushes without cleaning them.
Cleaning
your makeup brushes can be a chore, and there's literally nothing fun
about it. But along with other chores (like vacuuming) it's essential.
Every time your brush touches your face, it picks up bacteria,
which can then hang out and grow within the bristles—and then return to
your face when you use it again. Play it safe and thoroughly cleanse
your brushes with a brush cleanser at least once a week. Your skin will
thank you.
6. Giving into your sweet tooth.
What monster would swear off gummy bears? But for the sake of your skin, you probably should. Research shows
that high-glycemic foods, like white bread and sugary foods, are
closely correlated with acne breakouts, while low-glycemic foods, such
as most fruits and beans, aren't. We're not crazy here: You shouldn't
delete chocolate from your diet. But if you're eating it on a regular
basis and also dealing with acne, try limiting it to once a week.
