Like it or not, you’ll be showing more skin in the summer.
Most of us spend each day damaging our skin without even realizing it.
Here are just a few offenders to watch out for.
We get home late from work, then attempt to fit in dinner, working out, and relaxing.
However, sleeping in your makeup is wreaking havoc on your skin.
Rodriguez recommended keeping the process as simple as possible so that you’re able to stay consistent.
“Pour this natural cleansing water on a cotton pad, swipe, and then hit the pillow.”
Applying the product with your hands is probably not doing much good for your skin.
“Skincare without applicators have a much higher rate of getting contaminated.
Plus, the active ingredients are much more likely to become oxidized, making them less effective.
Try sticking to products with airless pumps or caps with dispensers for better skincare benefits.”
Content director forBeautypediaBryan Barron agreed.
The more you open that jar, the more the antioxidants break down and become ineffective.
“So your anti-aging products become less and less effective,” BarrontoldElle.
It’s important to start making sunscreen part of your morning routine.
“Ideally, you should use a 15 SPF or higher and a mineral-based product.
Start prioritizing your sleep and watch your skin change.
Which ones are actually worth it?
Well, according to Dr. Kotlus, special anti-wrinkle pillows fall into the “not worth it” column.
“Don’t waste money on anti-wrinkle pillows and pillowcases.
Popping pimples
I have never been a pimple popper.
Fortunately for me, the dermatologists are with me on this one.
Popping that zit you’ve had your eye on only spreads the bacteria to the rest of your face.
“If the temptation is too much, try washing your face with a clean washcloth.
If the pimple is ready to ‘pop,’ this is all the pressure needed to drain it.”
Your body is smart.
It knows when the pimple needs to go away, so let your skin do its thing.
Grab a glass of wine, and you have a little spa right in your bathroom.
However, the hot water is harsh on your skin, so keep those steamy showers to a minimum.
Opt for slightly cooler water to protect your skin.
Foreheads that don’t move and stretched eyelids always look unnatural.
Another product to watch out for is fillers for your face and lips.
“hey don’t follow the trend of over-inflated lips,” said Dr. Kotlus.
We know they are associated with skin cancer, but they don’t just stop there.
A study inTranslational Behavioral Medicinefound that indoor tanning users had higher rates of redness and swelling.
Using a facial brush or even a washcloth can be too hard on your delicate skin.
If you suffer from acne, being gentle with your skin is especially important.
Exfoliating your face when you have acne will only aggravate your skin.
The absolute first step you should take is quitting smoking.
No matter what treatments you try for your skin, smoking will undo them.
“Don’t do a skin laser to reverse the effects of aging and then smoke cigarettes.
“you could always spot a smoker from the wrinkles around their mouth.
Drinking plenty of water throughout the day will keep your skin youthful and glowing.
Anything that dehydrates you will leave you looking older.
Unfortunately, that means saying goodbye to some old friends.
It can get dry and get washed out,” dermatologist Dr. Deborah WattenbergtoldTODAY.
“Junk food contains a lot of preservatives and that will do the same thing.”
Washing too much
Washing your face every night is a great practice for your skin.
Washing multiple times per day is definitely too much of a good thing.
Touching your face
Have you ever noticed how much you touch your face?
We all do it.
Each time you touch your face, you’re exposing your skin to bacteria.
Always touching your face is especially irritating for your eyes.
Celebrity estheticianRenee Rouleauwas also concerned about the delicate under eye skin.
Having dessert every night
Tanning beds and cigarettes aren’t the only things damaging your skin.
That half-eaten slice of chocolate cake sitting in your refrigerator can be just as harmful.
Consuming sugar affects our bodies' collagen stores.
Collagen is the magical substance that helps our skin spring back and look young.
Eating too much sugar can also affect your internal systems.
Harold LancertoldNew York magazine.
When that bacteria is stuck in your pores, pimples can form.
Consuming sugar can also increase our testosterone levels, which affects our skin.
“Testosterone makes pores larger and skin oilier.
It turns your beautiful female skin into ruddy football player skin,” Dr. Lancer said.
Skipping the dermatologist
When was the last time you checked your skin for new or changing moles?
Consistently checking yourself for changes is crucial to catching any skin cancers early.
However, self-checks won’t take care of everything.
Schedule a yearly appointment with your dermatologist to check your entire body.
“We look in more nooks and crannies than you ever will,” dermatologist Patricia WexlertoldAllure.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns about your skin, see your dermatologist.
