Goodbye to 6 Bad Skin Care Habits!

Don't you wish you could custom order your perfect skin? Chances are, if you have an eager anticipation for flawless skin, you've tried everything from exfoliating to repair creams to skin whitening creams in an effort to banish hyperpigmentation and achieve a more even, smoother skin tone. To help you in your journey, here are a few bad skin care habits you might want to send packing:

1. Hands in face syndrome: The 'hands in face' syndrome is when you can't keep your hands out of your face. Touching your face other than to complete your skin care regimen is a habit that can lead to breakouts. This includes resting your chin or cheeks in the palms of your hands. It's comfy but its a no-no.
   
   
2. Exfoliating too aggressively: Aggressive exfoliation can cause irritation and skin tears making skin matters worse. For those of you with darker skin tones, aggressive exfoliation can lead to hyperpigmentation; the very thing you're trying to get rid of. A gentle hand is your secret weapon.
   
   
3. Exfoliating too often: You're thinking the more you exfoliate, the faster you'll accomplish results. Not true. Exfoliating too often with a scrub can cause excessive dryness and skin irritation. Your skin sheds on a regular cycle and exfoliating only enhances it. Once per week is enough for most skin but use as needed. If you exfoliate daily it should be with a gentle solution such a a rice-based product like Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant.
   
   
4. Going overboard with skin whitening creams: Skin whitening creams, fade creams, etc. are great for speeding up the lightening of dark spots and discoloration. However, spot treatments can accomplish more than you bargained for. You could end up with a light ring around the discolored area due to product bleeding over into the area outside of the treated area. Also, keep in mind that skin lightening creams can only be beneficial if the right cream is used for the targeted disorder. There are some health concerns with certain ingredients in skin lightening creams so be sure to do your research and consult with a dermatologist  or skin therapist.
   
   
5. Not listening to your skin: You were taught to eat everything off of your plate even if you didn't like it. This parental rule should not apply to your skin. Products can be expensive and its tempting to use the product up so as not to waste money but if your skin is behaving badly you should discontinue use immediately. Pass it on to someone that can use it or consider a product swap
   
   
6. Bad skin care habit #6 and the worse offense is going to bed without cleansing your skin. Leaving makeup on over night can lead to breakouts as well as rough and dull skin. The goal of your nightly skin care routine should be to nourish and repair your skin from daily exposure to the environment.

Don't forget your sun screen and remember that your skin changes with each season and so should your skin care routine. What works for you during the winter months may be too heavy for your skin during the summer. Get to know your skin. Love it. It'll thank you by being blemish-free, smooth, radiant, glowing, and supple.

Goodbye bad skin care habits!