In this post, we’re unpacking 8 surprisingly common mistakes that could be sabotaging your skin health, and what to do instead to glow from within. Key Takeaways Skincare is about both what you add and what you avoid. Neglecting essential habits, like cleansing or skipping sunscreen, can lead to long-term damages. Proper hydration, daily sun protection, and a simplified skincare routine are key. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by managing stress, staying hydrated, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol. 8 Bad Skincare Habits You Should Avoid Skincare isn't just about what you add—it's also about what you stop doing. From skipping sunscreen to picking at pimples, many of us unknowingly damage our skin health with everyday habits. Even if you have a solid skincare routine, small mistakes can still stand in the way of your glow. Before you blame your topical products, take a look at these 8 common skincare mistakes that might be holding your skin back—plus simple, effective tips to turn things around so you can get that glowing, healthy skin. Not washing your face before bed It’s easy to skip washing your face after a long, exhausting day, but your skin won’t forgive you for it. Even if you can’t see dirt or oil, it’s still there, and over time, it can damage your skin. A now-viral TikTok video showed a woman who didn’t wash her face for an entire month, and the results sparked major concern online. Speaking to DailyMail.com, dermatologist Dr. Roger Kapoor explained that this kind of neglect can lead to retention of hyperkeratosis, a condition where dead skin cells, oil, and dirt build up into a thick, rough layer on the skin’s surface. He also warned that beyond just dullness or breakouts, skipping your nightly cleanse can trigger chronic inflammation and disrupt the skin’s microbiome. Tip: Start with a cleanser to remove makeup first, then follow up with a gentle foaming cleanser to clear impurities. For oily skin, use a gel or foaming cleanser while dry skin needs a hydrating cream-based one, and sensitive skin should opt for a fragrance-free, gentle one. Watch this video to find out what happens when you stop washing your face. Skipping sunscreen daily You might think, "It’s just one day, how much harm can it do?" But skipping sunscreen is one of the easiest ways to accelerate skin aging. Dermatologists warn that even brief daily moments like driving, walking the dog, or picking up the mail expose your skin to harmful UV rays, leading to wrinkles, dark spots, and loss of skin elasticity. Consistent sunscreen use can cut your risk of melanoma by 50%, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. But sunscreen isn’t just about preventing skin cancer as it also plays a key to preventing visible signs of aging. A study found that women who used sunscreen daily showed no visible aging after 4.5 years, while those who skipped it had noticeably older-looking skin [1]. Tip: Apply sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days. For oily skin, choose a lightweight SPF while dry skin needs moisturizing sunscreen, and sensitive skin should go for mineral-based one. Overloading skin with too many products Scrolling through beauty blogs or Instagram convinced us that we need this serum, that moisturizer, and a new exfoliator to achieve perfect skin. But here’s the thing: More isn’t always better. Overloading your skin with too many products, especially ones with powerful ingredients, can cause major setbacks. For instance, glycolic acid and salicylic acid both work as exfoliants, but using them together can irritate your skin, leaving it red, dry, and dehydrated. And then there’s exfoliation. Exfoliating too often (or too aggressively) can cause tiny tears in your skin’s protective barrier. This leads to inflammation, dryness, and even more breakouts. Ironically, over-exfoliation can make your skin thicker, causing it to look dull and flaky over time. Tip: Simplify your routine with 3 or 4 key products: cleanser, moisturizer, SPF, and a targeted serum. Choose products based on your skin type (gentle for sensitive, hydrating for dry, and lightweight for oily). Picking or popping pimples Popping pimples might seem like a quick fix, but it just makes everything worse. Every time you squeeze, you're pushing out all that gross stuff and even bacteria deeper into your skin, causing more breakouts and an infection. Moreover, you’re damaging the blood vessels beneath your skin, leading to red spots and scarring that can last long after the pimple is gone. Picking at your skin can actually make it thicker over time. Your skin, in an attempt to heal itself, becomes rougher and duller. And those scars you’re trying to get rid of? They could end up being even harder to treat than the pimple itself, especially if you’ve caused a scab or blood crust. This makes it much harder for doctors to diagnose and treat the underlying issue. Tip: Leave skin blemishes alone and use spot treatments with ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to treat acne. Not washing makeup tools or pillowcases properly You leave your makeup on overnight, then in the morning, you grab your dirty brushes to touch up. That's a double whammy for your skin because makeup brushes, sponges, and other tools are like little magnets for bacteria, and using them without cleaning them first is a recipe for breakouts. But it's not just your makeup tools you need to worry about. Your pillowcase could be contributing to skin issues, too. Do you know that just one week without washing, pillowcases can contain 3 million colony-forming units (CFUs) per square inch, about 17,000 times more bacteria than a toilet seat [2]? In other words, if you don’t wash them regularly, you’re sleeping with germs that can cause acne or exacerbate skin conditions. Tip: Wash brushes weekly and change pillowcases at least once a week to avoid bacteria buildup. Staying dehydrated We often think dry skin is just a result of not moisturizing enough, but the real issue often starts much deeper from dehydration. When your body is dehydrated, it prioritizes moisture for essential internal functions, leaving your skin to suffer. Without proper hydration, your skin loses its moisture, resulting in dryness and a dull appearance. Dehydration can also cause your skin to feel tight and uncomfortable, your eyes to look hollow, and you may even experience symptoms like headaches or fatigue. Over time, dehydration can also contribute to allergies, migraines, and other health issues. Tip: Stay hydrated by drinking water and eating hydrating foods like cucumbers and avocados. Also, include the best fruits for skin to boost your skin’s moisture and overall health. Neglecting your neck and chest When we talk about skincare, the face often takes center stage. We carefully choose cleansers, serums, and moisturizers for our face, and we usually go the extra mile with anti-aging products. But what about the neck and chest? These areas are more similar to your facial skin than you might think—thinner, more delicate, and just as prone to wrinkles, sun damage, and aging. In fact, the nest and chest often show the first signs of wear, especially if neglected. Environmental stressors like UV exposure and pollution accelerate aging in these areas, while repetitive actions, like looking down at your phone, can lead to "tech neck", creating deep horizontal lines over time. Tip: Apply products like serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen to your neck and chest to help prevent early signs of aging. Skimping on sleep and chronic stress Your skin is a reflection of how well you rest and manage stress. While we sleep, our skin does most of its regeneration, but when sleep is sacrificed, the consequences show up pretty quickly. Dark circles, under-eye bags, and even random breakouts are signs of sleep deprivation. But that’s just the beginning. Chronic sleep deprivation can also lead to increased stress, which accelerates the aging process of your skin. A study found that after just one night of poor sleep, skin elasticity significantly decreases, and that deterioration continues the longer you skimp on sleep [3]. Stress, unfortunately, is unavoidable. When you're stressed, your body releases cortisol, the so-called “stress hormone.” While cortisol is helpful in short bursts, chronic stress keeps those levels high, triggering a whole host of skin problems and leaving your complexion looking dull, tired, and even more prone to wrinkles. A study published in JAMA Dermatology highlighted how chronic stress disrupts skin homeostasis, speeding up the aging process [4]. Tip: Prioritize 7–9 hours of sleep each night and incorporate stress-relieving activities such as meditation, walking, or yoga into your routine. Additional Harmful Behaviors to be Aware of Besides the most common skincare habits that directly harm your skin, there are also lifestyle choices that can quietly undermine your skin’s health. Let’s dive into some additional behaviors that could be working against your skin, even if you’re already on top of your skincare game. Smoking We all know smoking is bad for your lungs, but did you know it's also a major culprit in premature skin aging? The harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke can damage collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep your skin firm and youthful. Over time, smoking leads to wrinkles, sagging, and uneven skin tone. Nicotine also narrows blood vessels, cutting off oxygen and nutrients from reaching your skin and resulting in a dull complexion and dry skin. Badly, smoking increases your risk of skin cancer due to carcinogens in the smoke. Tip: Quit smoking or seek support to stop. Boost hydration and use antioxidant-rich skincare to reduce skin damage while quitting. Drinking alcohol Enjoying a glass of wine or a cocktail occasionally? That’s fine. But drinking excessively can wreak havoc on your skin. Alcohol is a major dehydrator, causing your skin to lose moisture, which makes fine lines and wrinkles more pronounced. It also leads to under-eye puffiness, redness, and midface volume loss. But it doesn't stop with the visible effects. A study published in the British Journal of Dermatology found that drinking more than one alcoholic drink a day increases your risk of melanoma by about 20%. The reason? Alcohol makes your skin more sensitive to UV radiation and weakens its immune response to sun damage Tip: Limit alcohol and drink water to stay hydrated. Use moisturizing skincare and always apply SPF when exposed to the sun. Using harsh soaps, abrasive scrubs, or alcohol toners If you want the quickest fix for skin problems by using abrasive scrubs or alcohol-laden toners, think again because they might do more harm than good. These products strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry, irritated, and more prone to breakouts. They even hurt the skin’s protective barrier, causing redness, sensitivity, and inflammation. Tip: Use gentle, pH-balanced cleansers and alcohol-free toners. Choose soothing ingredients like aloe vera or hyaluronic acid and exfoliate gently once or twice a week. In conclusion, Bad habits are often the hidden culprits behind a dull complexion and premature signs of aging. But now that you know which habits, you’re already on the path to healthier, more radiant skin. It's not just about the products you use—it's about being consistent and making mindful choices every day. With a little care and patience, your skin will thank you with a youthful, glowing appearance. FAQs What habits are great for skin? Healthy habits for skin, like cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection, are key to maintaining a glowing complexion. These practices help hydrate skin, protect against environmental damage, and support overall skin health. Additionally, a balanced diet, sufficient sleep, and stress management are essential for skin vitality and radiance. What is the healthiest thing for your skin? The healthiest thing for your skin is a combination of essential factors, including a healthy diet rich in vitamins and nutrients, consistent hydration, stress management, adequate sleep, and sun protection. In addition, staying hydrated, managing stress, and getting sufficient sleep are vital for overall skin health, radiance, and appearance. What is the most damaging thing for your skin? The most damaging thing for your skin is excessive sun exposure because UV rays cause premature aging, wrinkles, dark spots, and increase the risk of skin cancer. Without sunscreen, the skin is vulnerable to collagen breakdown and damage. Additionally, smoking and excessive alcohol can dehydrate the skin, leading to wrinkles and dullness. Can I skip SPF in my skincare routine? It’s generally not recommended to skip SPF in your skincare routine, as doing so can lead to premature aging, wrinkles, and an increased risk of skin cancer. Even on cloudy days, UV rays can damage your skin. The best way to protect your skin is by using sunscreens with an SPF of 30 or higher daily to maintain healthy skin. References [1] Hughes MC, Williams GM, Baker P, Green AC. Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2013 Jun 4;158(11):781-90. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-158-11-201306040-00002. PMID: 23732711. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/0003-4819-158-11-201306040-00002 [2] Pillowcases may be dirtier than the toilet during summer, experts warn. New York Post. July 18, 2024. Available from: https://nypost.com/2024/07/18/lifestyle/pillowcases-may-be-dirtier-than-the-toilet-during-summer-experts-warn/ [3] Jang SI, Lee M, Han J, Kim J, Kim AR, An JS, Park JO, Kim BJ, Kim E. A study of skin characteristics with long-term sleep restriction in Korean women in their 40s. Skin Res Technol. 2020 Mar;26(2):193-199. doi: 10.1111/srt.12797. Epub 2019 Nov 6. PMID: 31692145. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31692145/ [4] Garg A, Chren M, Sands LP, et al. Psychological Stress Perturbs Epidermal Permeability Barrier Homeostasis: Implications for the Pathogenesis of Stress-Associated Skin Disorders. Arch Dermatol. 2001;137(1):53–59. doi:10.1001/archderm.137.1.53 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/478156 Related posts Women health supplements Glutathione How can I remove whiteheads naturally
