5 Bad Skincare Habits You Should Break

Are you struggling with breakouts and other skin irritations that you just can’t seem to figure out? It could be that you’re guilty of committing one of these cardinal skincare sins!

We’re sharing which bad habits you should ditch to start seeing fresher and clearer looking skin.

1. You Don’t Replace or Wash Your Washcloth Regularly

Did you know the washcloth or loofah you use to cleanse your skin is actually a breeding ground for tons of bacteria? Not only that, but they can also become home to mold, yeast, and other things you definitely do not want coming into contact with your skin. Otherwise, you’ll risk causing breakouts, skin irritations, or worse.

If you’re using a washcloth or any kind of loofah, you need to make sure you’re swapping it out or cleaning it on a regular basis. For washcloths, your best bet is to grab a fresh one every day. You’ll also want to wash it with a non-irritating detergent, as that can cause skin issues to flare up as well. Steer clear of detergents with added perfumes! And if you’re using a loofah, make sure you clean it often and allow it time to dry completely between each use.

2. You Don’t Shower Immediately After a Workout

Do you hop in the shower right after you’ve completed a sweaty workout? If not, you really should. Why? When we work out, our bodies produce a lot of sweat. And unfortunately, that sweat can get trapped inside the tight clothing we’re wearing. This can ultimately lead to breakouts and other skin problems.

To avoid this, you’ll want to take a shower immediately after your workout. Thoroughly cleanse the skin, especially on areas where you will have come into contact with gym equipment. Sometimes the equipment in the gym hasn’t been cleaned properly, which can lead to you developing rashes and breakouts if you don’t cleanse yourself of the bacteria.

Even though some workout clothes claim to wick sweat away, it’s still better to be safe than sorry. And if you can’t hit the shower right after the workout, change your clothes, wipes to freshen up, and a micellar cleanser to cleanse your face.

3. You Don’t Use an SPF When It’s Cold Out

Just because the temperatures have dropped, it doesn’t mean you can skip out on SPF. If the sun is shining, its harmful rays can still damage your delicate skin. Even on cloudy days when you think you might be safe, your best option is still to lather on SPF before stepping outside.

Instead of risking the damage to your skin, it only takes a few minutes to apply SPF. And then you’ll thank yourself later for treating your skin right when you’ve protected it from damage, premature aging, and potential skin cancer.

4. You Occasionally Fall Asleep With Your Makeup On

By now, it’s safe to say you know falling asleep with your makeup on is a big no-no. However, that doesn’t stop people from doing it. Sometimes we’re simply too tired at the end of the day to cleanse our skin. However, that’s no excuse.

Sleeping with your makeup on can severely irritate your skin and will almost always lead to clogged pores and breakouts. This is because the sweat and bacteria gets trapped under makeup. That’s why you need to make time to cleanse with a cleanser that is designed to remove makeup (such as Yon-Ka’s Lait Nettoyant) before snuggling up beneath the sheets.

5. You Don’t Apply Your Skincare Products in the Correct Order

Did you know there’s actually a right and wrong order for applying your skincare products? And if you’re not applying properly in the right order, it’s a habit you should break if you want to ensure you’re seeing results with the products you use. This is because applying skincare products incorrectly can prevent them from being fully absorbed by your skin, which stops them from doing their job.

For the best results in the morning, you’ll want to: cleanse your skin, apply a toner, use a serum (this is optional but helpful if you want to maximize results), eye contour, moisturizer and SPF. At nighttime, you’ll want to: cleanse, tone, apply an acne treatment if needed, use your serum, eye contour, and apply a night cream. If you have a facial oil you’d like to use, that can be applied last at night so that it soaks in while you sleep.