1. Not Using Sunscreen
You may think that since the weather is cold and dreary that you can skip the sun protection, right? Wrong! Sunscreen isn’t just for summer. Your skin needs to be protected from the sun all year round. The sun is actually closer to the Earth during winter, intensifying the damaging effects of the sun. And although you may be mostly bundled up, your face and hands are still exposed. Do you feel too lazy to add an extra step of putting sunscreen on in the morning? Then try products that already include SPF. Something like Vaseline Daily Skin Shield Protective Body Lotion with SPF 15 can be applied all over and will protect your skin throughout the day.
2. Ignoring Your Neck and Décolleté
Ever notice how some women have necks that look 20 years older than their faces do? It could happen to you too if you ignore your neck and décolleté when applying a moisturizer to your face and body. The neck and décolleté show aging just as much as your face, but are often overlooked when it comes to skin care. If this sounds like you then you have some catching up to do. Try applying a rich and creamy moisturizer like Revolution Organics All-Over Skin Crème daily to your neck and décolleté to keep the skin there looking soft and supple.
3. Not Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes
Dirty makeup brushes…yuck! Dirty brushes hold nasty bacteria and germs. You may have not even known you were supposed to clean your makeup brushes but you should do so at least every two weeks. You can clean your makeup brushes using a gentle cleanser such as your facial cleanser or a baby shampoo or even a specialized brush cleaner. Don’t forget to also replace your mascara at least every six months. Since this brush can’t be cleaned and mascara is moist – the perfect breeding ground for bacteria – toss any old mascara and replace it with a fresh one.
4. Going to Sleep Without Washing Your Face
I know that many of our readers are guilty of this skin-damaging habit. Going to sleep without washing your face can age skin more rapidly than if you just took an extra minute or two to wash everything off. Skin needs time to replenish itself and washing your face at the end of the day and slathering on a vitamin rich night moisturizer allows your skin the downtime it needs to rest. If you just can’t manage to wash your face and moisturize before hitting the sack, try a cleansing cloth like Olay Deep Cleansing Daily Facials. These easy-to-use cloths take the place of a makeup remover, cleanser and toner, and are a cinch to use when you are tired from a long day.
5. Not Using a Moisturizer
Not using a moisturizer is a quick way to advance the way your skin ages. When skin is dry, it dramatizes fine lines and wrinkles. A moisturizer prevents drying, which can cause premature aging and acne. For the daytime, use a triple duty moisturizer like Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, which provides sheer color coverage, moisture and sunscreen. Do you avoid moisturizers like the plague because of your oily skin? No problem, just use an oil-free moisturizer instead. Then for nighttime, slather on an ultra rich moisturizer to restore your skin while you sleep.
6. Skipping the Exfoliation Process
If you have never exfoliated your face you are really missing out. Exfoliating regularly will really make a big difference in the look and feel of your skin. To encourage skin turnover and reveal newer, fresher and younger looking skin cells underneath, dead skin cells at the surface need to be removed weekly. Do this with a simple exfoliator like Clinique’s Exfoliating Scrub or go all out with an exfoliator like the Clarisonic. Either way, your skin will thank you with a brighter tone and natural glow.
7. Not Drinking Enough Water
You know that you are supposed to be drinking at least eight glasses of water daily, but many of you may still be skipping this simple step to great skin. Believe it or not, water is like this magic potion that detoxifies and cleanses from the inside out. This is true for your entire body, especially for your skin. Get your eight glasses a day by eliminating all other refreshments and replacing them with water instead.
8. Touching Your Face
The simple act of touching your face, something we all do a thousand times a day, can be damaging your skin right now. Oils and bacteria are transferred from your hands, hair, sunglasses and even your cell phone to your face. All of these daily touches can add up to unnecessary breakouts. Try to make a conscious effort to avoid touching your face until you have washed your hands or used hand sanitizer. This will help to cut down on the amount of bacteria you are transferring onto your skin. You can also clean your cell phone regularly by using a cotton pad soaked with rubbing alcohol; this will de-germ and sanitize your phone so that icky bacteria are avoided. Better yet, use your ear-piece!
9. Neglecting Yourself: Diet, Sleep, and Stress Level
Neglecting yourself can be damaging in more ways than one. Your body can only handle so much. If you neglect to take care of yourself long enough, your skin can retaliate with a dull complexion, breakouts and premature aging. Take action and start taking care of yourself today. Be sure to get an adequate amount of sleep, which will help reduce stress. Next, cut down on alcohol consumption and completely quit smoking – these two bad habits can suck the life out of your skin. Then, stock up on fresh fruits, veggies and other healthy grub to give your skin the nutrients it needs to shine.
10. Overlooking Your Eyes
The delicate skin around the eyes is often overlooked. The area around your eyes actually needs special attention and separate products than you use for the rest of your face. The skin around your eyes is made up of very thin, delicate skin that often shows premature aging like crow’s feet and lack of sleep more than any other part of your face. Be sure to take care of this special area with an eye cream specifically designed for any concerns you may have.