Skin—it's our largest organ. Therefore, we want the very best for it. We buy up oodles of product, scour countless advice columns, and find ourselves semi considering that gosh-awful vampire facial. Despite all this preventive work, the true culprit of skin damage might lie in counteractive everyday habits. There's only so much an airtight skincare arsenal can do when facing these foibles. Not to fret! BBE is here to help you bring a little awareness of how your activities may be holding you back from achieving your #skingoals.
#1 Overstripping Your Skin
Oily skin can be incredibly frustrating. The natural response may be to use any and all combative measures against it, including moments of frequent exfoliation, abrasive oil strips, and highly concentrated facial wash. However, instead of taking a stand against oil, you're really violating your skin's barrier.
Are you noticing that even after using all of your products, you're still left with oily skin, but now it's tight, dehydrated, patchy, or otherwise irritated? This is a good sign you're doing too much. Give your skin a breather, and stick to only a few anti-oil products instead. Beauty by Earth's facial cleanser helps balance your complexion while still being gentle.
#2 Poking, Prodding, & Popping Skin Blemishes
Hands off of your face, babe! We know. There's that one pimple lurking on your chin that's just ready to go with a little bit of coaxing. Sure, it's a "quick fix," but messing with these areas can worsen the situation.
By squeezing at the blemish, you risk allowing the contents to penetrate deeper into your skin. This can lead to inflammation, more acne, and scarring. Not to mention, if you didn't wash your hands prior to touching the area, you could be introducing even more bacteria onto your face. Extractions should only be done by professionals who can perform the service with the correct tools and knowledge.
#3 You're Letting Hair Products Run Onto Your Face
Hair products are made for, you guessed it, your hair. If you aren't careful when washing or styling your tresses, they might run on and seep into your facial skin. Many products formulated for hair contain various oils and heavier ingredients which can clog your delicate facial skin, leading to breakouts.
So, just be careful when showering or applying your pomades/sprays/etc., making sure you stay within the barrier of your hairline. Try not to use hair products into excess, either, which will help decrease the likelihood of a breakout. If you do get the product on your face, gently wash it off with a lukewarm washcloth.
#4 You Aren't Washing Your Bedding Enough
If you think about it, your skin spends a lot of time in contact with your bedding. You may wash your face, take frequent showers, and change your sheets occasionally but that won't completely stop the build-up of dead skin, dirt, and other bacteria. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends changing your sheets every week and your pillowcases two or three times a week—especially if your skin is prone to acne.
#5 Skipping SPF
I will shout it from the rooftops—APPLY SUNSCREEN DAILY! And reapply every couple of hours. Seriously. Even if you aren't spending the day lying in the sun, your skin still gets exposed to the sun's damaging rays in some way or another. Sunburn is probably the most commonly understood consequence of skipping sunscreen. But, besides that, you can also experience dry skin, actinic keratosis, and fine lines and wrinkles.
If you're worried about the heavy, greasy feeling of mainstream sunscreen loaded with toxins, switch to Beauty by Earth! Our sunscreen is light, natural, and effective. You'll become a sunscreen fan in no time.
#6 Licking Your Lips
Wetness = moisturizer, right? Wrong, so much wrong. Your saliva will not solve your dry lip situation. In fact, it can make things much worse. Healthline reports that your saliva, although adding momentary moisture, will dry quickly and leave your lips drier than they already had been.
So, if you find yourself tempted to lick your lips, stop yourself right there and instead reach for a hydrating lip balm. You'll get actual relief and it takes no time at all. If chapped lips are a persistent problem, it might be time to use a scrub to clear away dead skin.
#7 Opting Out of Moisturizer
So many people, especially those who have oily skin, don't regularly apply moisturizer for the fear of being left with a greasy-looking complexion. Time for a truth bomb: moisture is not the same as oil! In fact, skipping moisturizer might make your skin even more oily. Your skin is exposed to a wide array of environmental and individual conditions. Applying moisturizer helps take away dryness, prevent aging, aid cell regeneration, and minimize the appearance of blemishes.
Beauty by Earth has some wonderful moisturizer options like a daily moisturizer or anti-aging cream that won't break the bank to incorporate into your skin can routine.
#8 Sleeping in Makeup, or Not Properly Removing it
Removing makeup can be the pits. Whether you've been out partying or it's just the end of a long workday, it's hard to muster the strength to take everything off instead of crashing. If anything is going to motivate you to take that extra step, it should be the possibility of backed-up skin.
Not removing makeup before heading to bed can not only clog pores but can also lead to premature aging. The same goes for the trace amounts of makeup you might still have if you aren't getting everything off. With this in mind, barrel straight past that bed and reach for your Beauty by Earth makeup remover. You'll be able to sleep soundly knowing your skin has been taken care of.
#9 Unclean Items Coming in Contact with Your Face
Think about all the times you indirectly or directly touch your face. This could be your phone screen, keyboard, steering wheel, makeup brushes, loofah, etc. (It's a rather long list, y'all.) Now, think of how often you clean or replace these items. Probably not enough, right? Meaning, bacteria and other icky things could be finding their way onto your skin, causing breakouts among other issues.
The first line of defense for this happening should be making sure to wash your hands and avoid touching your face. Otherwise, other items should be cleaned or replaced in regard to how often they're used and stored. Be wary of expiration dates on products, as well!
#10 Poor Diet
We're not here to argue the nutrient values of certain foods, or perhaps which diet is the best, however, there's a significant connection between our consumption habits and skin quality.
Excess consumption of high-glycemic foods, such as sugar or white bread, is tied to the development of acne. Furthermore, too much sugar can contribute to aging by impacting collagen. The threat of skin cancer can be slightly reduced with diets rich in fruits and vegetables. In any case, it's important to be mindful of how the things you eat can contribute not only to your health but also your skin.
How are we feeling? It can be a bit daunting realizing how many things can affect our skin. But that doesn't mean shield yourself from the elements and retreat into a skincare sanctuary. Just be conscious in your day-to-day and try to improve where you see fit.
(And, for the love, wear SPF.)
Camille
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