You moisturize, you cleanse, and you even exfoliate—so why isn’t your skin Jessica Alba perfect already? You could be succumbing to these innocuous everyday habits that are quietly sabotaging your skin:
1. You don’t change your sheets often enough
Many people don’t think about the build-up of dead skin cells, hair strands, body oils, and dust mites that can accumulate in bedding. Freshen up your time under the covers by washing your sheets weekly, take a shower before bedtime, and invest in high-quality sheets and pillowcases (like bamboo or silk) to help minimize the build-up of bacteria.
2. You don’t clean your makeup brushes
No matter how often you wear makeup—your brushes accumulate particles from your cosmetics, skin, oils, and other bacteria. Skip washing your brushes of this debris and you could wind up with clogged pores and blemishes. You should spritz your brushes once a week with a cleansing spray and deep clean them once a month with shampoo or gentle soap.
3. You over-cleanse & over-exfoliate
Squeaky-clean skin might feel good, but cleansing and exfoliating too much and too often strips away your natural oils. It’s generally enough to cleanse once a day (perhaps when you remove your makeup) with a creamy or oil-based cleanser and use a gentle exfoliator 2-3 times/week (avoid ones that are too gritty). That way you’ll keep more of your own moisturizing oils and avoid irritating your skin.
4. You ignore the skin below your jawline
Although your face is the most visible part of your body, skincare doesn't stop at your jawline. Your neck and decolletage are just as vulnerable to the elements and the skin is delicate in nature. So the next time you apply oils, moisturizer, sunscreen or give yourself an exfoliating treatment—extend everything down to your décolletage.
5. You don’t shower immediately after working out
Showering after a workout not only feels relaxing but it also reduces the risk of breakouts that can be caused by bacteria multiplying on your skin—all thanks to your sweaty body. And if time is crunched, make sure you change into clean clothes, dry off as much as possible, and use body wipes to clean your skin—every little bit helps!
6. You don’t moisturize because your skin is oily or acne-prone
If you have oily skin it’s natural to assume a moisturizer will clog your pores and lead to more breakouts. The key to glowing skin is directly related to hydration (rather than oily v dry v normal skin types)—make sure you drink enough water, consider water-based moisturizers or a non-comedogenic product that won’t clog your pores.
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