The reasons for bad skin, even with thorough care, are often not found in cosmetics but in everyday habits that we don’t even consider harmful. It is precisely these habits that can slowly but steadily damage skin health. Read on Joy-pup about which seemingly harmless habits steal your beauty and how to fix them.
1. The Habit of Resting Your Face on Your Hand
Many of us automatically rest our chin on our palm while working at a computer or thinking. Over time, this pressure disrupts blood microcirculation and contributes to the formation of creases and early wrinkles. Hands are also constantly covered with bacteria that easily transfer to the skin and can cause inflammation and acne. The less often you touch your face, the calmer and clearer your skin becomes.
2. Smartphone Near the Face
A smartphone accompanies us everywhere: on public transport, in the kitchen, in public places. Its surface accumulates sebum, makeup residue, dust, and street dirt, which are easily transferred to the face upon contact. Regularly pressing the phone against your cheek can provoke breakouts, especially in the chin and cheekbone areas. A simple habit of regularly cleaning the screen significantly reduces the risk of irritation.
3. Sleeping With Wet Hair
Going to bed with damp hair may seem harmless, but it’s not the best option for the skin. A wet pillow creates a warm and humid environment in which bacteria and fungi actively multiply. This is a direct path to dandruff, dermatitis, and facial skin irritation that stays in contact with damp fabric all night. Fully dried hair is a simple but effective step toward healthy skin.
4. Excessive Skin Friction
Overly vigorous rubbing of the face during cleansing or makeup removal damages the skin’s protective barrier. As a result, the skin becomes more sensitive, loses moisture faster, and reacts worse to skincare products. The area around the eyes is especially vulnerable, as the skin there is the thinnest. Gentle, careful movements help maintain skin firmness and comfort.
5. Infrequent Pillowcase Changes
Pillowcases absorb sebum, makeup residue, and sweat, all of which inevitably come into contact with the face during sleep. Over time, this can lead to clogged pores and inflammation. Even high-quality skincare won’t deliver results if the skin touches contaminated fabric every night. Dermatologists recommend changing pillowcases at least once a week (and every 2–3 days if you have acne).
6. Tight Clothing
Tight straps, bras, and snug clothing create constant friction against the skin. This can cause redness, irritation, and small breakouts, especially during hot weather. The skin in these areas “breathes” worse, which aggravates the problem. Looser fits and natural fabrics help keep the skin calm and healthy.
7. Hot Showers
Hot water feels pleasantly relaxing but at the same time washes away the skin’s natural protective oils. As a result, the skin becomes dry, tight, and more sensitive to external factors. Frequent hot showers can intensify flaking and irritation. Warm water is a gentler option for daily hygiene routines.
8. Facial Muscle Tension
Long hours of screen work make us unconsciously squint and tense our facial muscles. Over time, this leads to the appearance of expression lines on the forehead and around the eyes. A lack of breaks increases visual strain and skin fatigue. Take breaks, do eye exercises (blink, look into the distance), and check your eyesight—perhaps it’s time to order glasses for work.
9. Nail Biting
The childhood habit of biting nails or the tip of a pen may seem harmless, but it directly affects skin condition. It not only ruins your manicure and teeth but also injures the delicate skin around the lips, introducing infection. Keep your hands busy (buy an anti-stress toy), get an expensive manicure you won’t want to ruin, or use a special bitter-tasting nail polish.
10. Using Expired Cosmetics
Expired products change their chemical composition. This can cause serious allergies, dermatitis, and inflammation. Using such products is especially dangerous on sensitive or problem skin. Mixing active ingredients without knowledge of chemistry is also risky. Regularly audit your makeup bag. If the expiration date has passed—throw it away without regret.
11. Sleeping With Sunscreen On
Sunscreen products are essential during the day, but at night the skin needs cleansing and recovery. Leaving sunscreen on overnight clogs pores, provokes comedones, and prevents the skin from regenerating. This is especially noticeable on oily and combination skin. Use double cleansing: first a cleansing oil or balm to dissolve SPF, then a gentle foam or gel.
12. Constantly Touching the Skin
The urge to touch or squeeze a pimple is familiar to many, but it often makes the situation worse. Mechanical impact increases inflammation, spreads infection across the face, and leaves scars (post-acne) that can take years to get rid of. It’s better to use spot acne patches. They treat inflammation and create a physical barrier for your hands.
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