Better skin habits to embrace

As much as we try to maintain a healthy skin care routine, it can be easy to slip up on occasion. But this year, we’re really taking stock of some of our worst habits and making an effort to curb any negative tendencies where our complexion is concerned.

Over-cleansing

You might think that nothing can be “too clean,” but when it comes to skin, over-cleansing can do more harm than good. That’s why this year we’re vowing to put the face wash down and scrub a little less. Twice a day is all you need — once in the morning and once in the evening. If you have to wash your face a third time (say, after the gym), use an ultra-gentle cleanser such as Cetaphil. Washing too much can dry out skin and strip it of its natural oils, which can then cause flaking and irritation, especially in the colder winter months.

Under hydrating

Winter’s cold, dry air calls for maximum moisture, and this year we’ve promised ourselves to give our skin whatever it needs to stay smooth and supple. Depending on your skin type, this might mean adding serum under your night cream to further hydrate skin, or it could mean switching from a lighter lotion to a heavier moisturizer in the winter months. Whatever you do though, just don’t let skin dry out. You can also add a hydrating mask to your skin care routine for a weekly (or twice-weekly) beauty boost.

Skipping sunscreen

Every time we neglect to slather on some SPF, we feel a little bit guilty, so that’s why we’re making an extra effort to make SPF a regular part of our day. Even cloudy, gray winter days call for some protection from the rays, so we suggest opting for a lightweight formula to wear under your day cream and makeup in the a.m. — or opting for a day cream that contains an SPF of at least 15.

Touching our face

While you might not think you touch your face a whole lot throughout the day, you likely do so more than you realize (and so do we). The problem here is not only the high chances for messing up your makeup, but also the risk of transferring oils from your hands onto your face (no thanks). Try to be aware of whenever your hands go to your face and work towards curbing the habit.

Sleeping with makeup on

Getting home after a long night may mean not really having the energy to do anything but fall into bed, but this is the year we wash off our makeup no matter how many cocktails we consumed. It can be tough to resist the temptation of a cozy bed, but your skin will look and feel so much better if you take the five minutes to cleanse before hitting the sack. Makeup left on your skin not only clogs pores and causes breakouts, but you’re also risking skin irritation.

Not washing makeup brushes

If you can’t remember the last time you washed your makeup brushes, it’s time to either buy new ones or start soaping them up. We admit that there are times when we suddenly realize it’s been too long between washings, but we’d rather ensure skin stays free of dirt and bacteria so we’re vowing to keep those makeup tools clean. Aim to wash your makeup brushes twice a month using warm, soapy water — mild, unscented soap works or invest in a brush cleaning product and allow to air dry. Your complexion will thank you.

More skin tips

Do a celebrity style facial at home
Skin care secrets from Beauty Bootcamp
10 Ways to prep your skin for winter