Attention all beauty enthusiasts! Are you ready to embark on a journey towards a more radiant and healthier appearance? We all know that maintaining healthy skin goes beyond slathering the right beauty products. Sometimes, it’s our habits that unknowingly contribute to skin damage, preventing it from looking its absolute best. But fret not, for we have an expert’s advice to guide you. So let’s bid farewell to these eight bad beauty habits that have been holding us back.
Let’s take a look at eight bad beauty habits that, according to Dr Sushma Yadav a Bengaluru-based Dermatologist and Cosmetologist, are detrimental to your skin health. By avoiding these habits, you can improve the condition of your skin to make it look more radiant and healthier appearance.
Bad beauty habits you should avoid
1. Sleeping with makeup on
The combination of makeup, debris, and oil that accumulates throughout the day can wreak havoc on your skin. “Failing to remove makeup before going to bed is a bad beauty habit that can result in blocked pores, which can cause blackheads and whiteheads,” says Dr Yadav. Make it a habit to remove your makeup before going to bed to allow your skin to breathe and regenerate while you sleep.
Also read: Sonam Kapoor shares the makeup removal routine she swears by for radiant skin
2. Ditching moisturiser
Skipping moisturiser before bedtime is a mistake many people make. According to the dermatologist, moisturising your skin before sleep helps repair and strengthen its natural barrier, locking in essential moisture. This step is crucial for maintaining hydrated and supple skin. Choose a moisturiser suitable for your skin type and make it a part of your nightly skincare routine.
3. Oiling your hair overnight
While oiling and massaging your hair can be beneficial, leaving the oil on overnight is a bad beauty habit and can have negative effects. It is enough to leave oil in your hair for about 30 to 45 minutes. “When hair oil is left on overnight, the oil can penetrate the skin, causing pores to become clogged, which can lead to the formation of acne,” says Dr Yadav. Instead, apply hair oil a few hours before bedtime and wash it off thoroughly.
4. Drinking alcohol before bed
The expert explains that consuming alcohol before sleep can result in a puffy and bloated face, in addition to a hangover. Alcohol causes dehydration and can disrupt your sleep cycle, leading to poor skin condition. To maintain healthy skin, limit alcohol intake and avoid drinking too close to bedtime.
5. Using rough and dirty sheets or pillowcase
The quality of your sheets and pillowcases can impact your skin health. Low-quality materials can irritate your skin. Opt for comfortable sheets made of fine quality yarns like natural fibres of aloe and soft cotton. Additionally, change your pillowcases every 4-5 days to avoid transferring impurities from the fabric onto your face.
Also Read: Night skincare tip: 6 reasons to change your pillowcases weekly
6. Not getting enough sleep
Adequate sleep is crucial for maintaining healthy skin. Lack of sleep can lead to a dull complexion, accentuated dark circles under the eyes, and increased skin inflammation. Dr Yadav explains that while you sleep, your body undergoes essential rejuvenating processes like collagen synthesis, improved blood circulation, and decreased puffiness under the eyes. To support the overall health of your skin, it is recommended to get adequate sleep of 7-9 hours per night.
7. Over-exfoliating your face
While keeping your skin clean is important, overdoing it can cause more harm than good. Dr Yadav explains that harsh scrubs and excessive rubbing can damage your skin, leading to dark spots, pigmentation, or even scars. Use gentle exfoliators and cleansers suitable for your skin type and avoid excessive scrubbing. Over-exfoliating can disrupt the skin’s natural balance and strip away essential oils, leading to dryness and sensitivity.
8. Skipping your sunscreen daily
Perhaps one of the most crucial beauty habits to avoid is skipping sunscreen. Sunscreen is essential in protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, preventing sunburn, premature ageing, and reducing the risk of skin cancer. Make it a daily habit to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, even on cloudy days.
By being mindful of our beauty habits, we can protect our skin from unnecessary damage. So, ditch these bad beauty habits and watch as your skin thrives with vitality and radiance!
