Bad Skin Habits To Break In 2022

Beauty and skincare trends will continue to come and go over the years, however, something that never goes out of style is healthy skin habits. And although we are already into our second month of 2022, many of us are still in the positive mindset mode that comes with the commencement of a new year. If this applies to you, take advantage of that motivation to get your skin health under control. Much more than just a new year’s resolution, let your skincare goals for this year revolve around sustainable practices that are both enjoyable and achievable. Implementing new steps and habits can often be difficult, so instead, why not start by kicking some bad habits? Here’s how you can keep your skin glowing, healthy, plump and youthful for as long as possible by saying goodbye to some of the most common skin-damaging activities.

Sleeping in makeup

This can often seem like a victimless crime every so often, but leaving makeup on overnight really can cause more harm than you might suspect. During sleep is the body’s opportunity to heal and recover, and this also applies to your skin. Your complexion should be cleared from all possible harmful substances or potential causes of inflammation so that tissue can proliferate without imposition. Makeup worn during the day and then continued on through the night is also rather a long period for your skin to be covered in a film, which sinks into pores causing blockages, preventing sweat and natural waste from being naturally excreted, and trapping acne-causing bacteria. We understand that some days it can be so difficult to complete a full skincare routine, especially after a long day or a night out. In these cases we recommend utilising an oil cleanser and soft cotton cleansing pads to wipe the skin clean. Even if you can’t bring yourself to apply your serums, something is always better than nothing, and at the very least your skin will be clean.

Relying on makeup for SPF

A beauty taboo as old as time, the small amount of sun protection offered in makeup simply does not adequately protect skin from ultraviolet radiation. Always apply a dedicated sunscreen prior to your makeup – there are so many incredible cosmeceutical ranges available on the market that will double as skincare and won’t leave a sticky, tacky feeling that many despise about traditional sunscreens. We also understand that it’s difficult to reapply sunscreens throughout the day once your makeup is applied. If this is the case, opt for a mineral makeup that offers some physical sunscreen agents such as zinc or titanium dioxide so that you may top up your protection throughout the day while simultaneously sprucing your makeup.

Picking skin

This can be one of the toughest skin sins of all to avoid. If the urge to pick is driven by dry or flaking skin that you’re desperate to peel off, keep skin thoroughly moisturised at all times. Tissue and its proteins can become damaged and the skin barrier function disrupted simply as a result of dryness and dehydration, with damage further exacerbated by manually peeling dry skin off – even if you think it’s ready to be removed! Try tinted moisturisers or rich creams with a slightly tacky texture that will help ‘stick’ skin down and make you less likely to pick. If it’s pimple popping you can’t resist, here’s a quick fact to keep in mind. When you squeeze a pimple, you aren’t just squeezing the liquid on the surface. You exert pressure on the follicle wall below, which can easily rupture, leading to scarring. If it is absolutely driving you crazy or impacting a special occasion, see your skin professional for damage-free removal.

Not moisturising oily skin

If your skin is oily, resist the urge to believe that your skin doesn’t need more moisture. Even oily skins can benefit from a moisturiser. Sometimes dry, damaged or barrier-impaired skin can overcompensate by overproducing through sebaceous gland activity to try to rectify itself, throwing everything out of balance. Another consideration is that sometimes, it can be difficult to tell the difference between dryness (a lack of oil) and dehydration (a lack of water) and if you’re the latter, a moisturiser can help improve hydration levels by locking in moisture and preventing its loss through the skin’s surface throughout the day.

As always, we recommend consulting with your professional skin clinician on how best to tackle your particular concerns, and how you can approach these in ways that suit your unique lifestyle, budget and preferences. And of course, we look forward to bringing you more tips and tricks to help you keep your skin in its best possible health for years to come!