#2. Skipping Sunscreen

Another big no-no when it comes to common skin care mistakes that are not recommended is skipping the sunscreen protection. All the dermatologists agree that not wearing it is one of the top causes of premature aging of the skin. Harsh UV rays can harm us whether we are outside or we are at home. 

It’s best to apply it on your exposed parts like face, hands, neck, and legs, 10-15 minutes before leaving your home. Also, choose a sunscreen which has an SPF of 30 or more if you want true protection. Wearing  a hat and sunglasses while going out also helps when it comes to protecting our skin.

#3. Excess Alcohol

Alcohol has a similar effect on our skin like smoking and it’s also one of the main skin care mistakes that should be avoided. It can, too, dehydrate and take away all the nutrients. It can also cause a condition called rosacea.

Rosacea is a condition in which cheeks and nose become red because of dilating the blood vessels in the skin. And alcohol aggravates it. So, next time, if you are going out just replace your drink with mocktails, iced tea or juices and see the difference.

#4. Not Drinking Enough Water 

 A common skin mistake we make is not drinking enough water. It’s the easiest thing we should be doing, daily. Water is the best moisturizer you can gift your skin. If you are not drinking enough water you might notice blotchy and dehydrated skin. Doctors advise having minimum 2 liters of glasses of water.

With a lot of water, you will see your skin glowing as water flushes out all the toxins from the body and hydrates your skin from inside out. So always include water, coconut water, and juices in your diet, but try to focus on plain water. You should try to avoid as much as you can caffeinate drinks as they dehydrate your skin.

#5. Not Having Enough Fruit & Vegetables

Fruit and veggies are rich sources of vitamins, minerals and lots and lots of antioxidants. They maintain the elasticity of the skin and keep it healthy. Include  them in your diet and you will see a world of difference in your skin.

Recent studies show that having carotenoids in fruits can help improve your skin tone. Doctors recommend that we should have 4-5 cups of veggies and fruits every day. If eating  seems a task, make delicious smoothies and try that.

#6. Having Too Much Junk Food

Junk food not only has a bad effect on our waistlines, but also on our skin. One of the biggest causes of breakouts in the skin is junk food. Soft drinks, white bread, pizzas, fried snacks etc. are detrimental to the health of skin as they can produce oil and clog the pores.

So, it’s ok to indulge in our favorite snack once in a while, but it’s always a better idea to eat healthy foods like whole grains , vegetables, fruit, nut and probiotics like yogurt.

#7. Not Removing Makeup Before Sleeping

Another of the most important common skin care mistakes which many of us commit is not removing our makeup and cleaning our skin before going  to sleep. It can clog our skin pores and cause inflammation resulting in pimples and acne.

So, it should become a habit to remove makeup from our face and neck, washing and moisturizing  before sleeping . If you want to have a healthy, glowing skin, you do have to “work” a little.

#8. Not Getting Enough Sleep

You would have already noticed puffy dark circles the day you have not had enough sleep or had a bad sleep. That is because when sleeping deeply, tissue repair happens. We regenerate. So, it is  important that you get your eight-hour beauty sleep. You will feel a difference and your skin will surely thank you for it!

#9. Dealing With Stress & Anxiety

Stress about work, home or friends and you might see a stray pimple or acne coming on your face. That’s because, during stressful times, cortisol is released. It disrupts other hormones and inflammation occur. In order to avoid such a skin care mistake, try and practice meditation, relax every time you get a chance, exercise and let go of all your worries. Soon, your skin will look a lot more healthy.

#10. Not Moisturising

Whether you have an oily, dry, normal or sensitive skin, you have to moisturize it. Without moisturizers, our skin feels itchy, dry and flaky. Creams and lotions hydrate our cells, giving them a natural sheen. People with oily skin should look for gel-based moisturizers, which will not clog their skin. After cleaning up your skin, you should apply moisturizers on your face, neck and hands.

#11. Over-Exfoliation

Scrubbing is a great way to remove dead cells and grime from our face. But if we do it daily, we are stripping our skin of the natural oils in our skin. This then leads to dryness, inflammation, and redness of the skin. So, it’s best to exfoliate your skin once a week with a gentle scrub.

#12. Too Many Hot Showers & Baths

We might not all know this, but, while hot showers may be a sure fun for us, they are not for our skin. They dehydrate and all you get is dry and flaky skin. So , it is advisable to have lukewarm water showers . You will feel refreshed and your skin will not dehydrate.

#13. Too Many Makeup Products

Too many products can actually ruin the composition of our skin, therefore, this is also a skin care mistake to avoid. Limit your products to essential skincare products like cleansers, toners, moisturizers. If possible, try to find a day when you don’t “have to” wear any makeup except your sunscreen protection.

#14. Popping Pimples Or Acne 

Unfortunately, sometimes we pop our pimples with our hands: a BIG no-no when it comes to skin care mistakes. We, all, do it although we know that it is not a great idea. The bacteria from our hands can spread to other parts of our skin. So, let’s not touch our face unless we are cleaning or moisturizing it, ok?

#15. Not Sanitizing Your Cell Phone

These days, we are all tech-savvy thanks to our smartphones. But these phones carry a lot of germs and can cause breakouts near our cheeks. That is why it is recommended that every once in a while we clean our cell phones screens to avoid pimples.

Keeping a healthy skin and trying to avoid these skin care mistakes can sometimes be a real challenge, especially when dealing with work-related stuff, or family and friends, or any other “event” that might come between us and our skin care routine.

Although it may not always seem right or like the very first thing to do, try and put yourself first and take care of yourself. Only by doing this will you be able to do it for others. If you follow some of these skin care “rules”, I assure you your skin will have that healthy sheen you have been looking for. So, go ahead and try them out!