Prevent Skin Damage: 9 Things You Need to Stop Doing to Right Now!

Sure, you might be following a rigorous daily skincare regimen, but what if the products/methods your are using on your skin are actually causing more harm than good?  

Below are 9 ways you may be damaging your skin without even knowing it.

1. Using Harsh Cleansers

If you find yourself using a cheap drugstore or grocery store brand cleanser, you’d better stop ASAP! Many big box retailers sell inexpensive cleansers that contain harsh detergents, such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which strip your skin of its natural oils that serve as a protective outer layer.

2. Using Face Toner That Contains Alcohol

It’s important you take a look at the ingredient list of the toner you’re currently using. Alcohol is a preservative found in many toners, and it can be extremely drying for your skin. Always opt for an alcohol-free toner!!

3. Exfoliating Too Often

Yes, exfoliating your skin is a great way to slough off dead skin cells and expose a fresh layer of skin! However, scrubbing your skin too often can irritate it. Exfoliating once per week should suffice.

4. Applying Too Many Products

Less is more when it comes to using skincare! Exposing your skin to too many products at once, over a period of time, will begin to irritate your skin and may even trigger a contact dermatitis outbreak. What’s most important is that you use the right combination of products that suit your skin type rather than using all the products found in your beauty cabinet at once!

5. Using Jarred Skincare Products

Many anti-aging skincare products contain ingredients that break down when exposed to light. Every time you open your jar, light penetrates inside and these active ingredients start losing their potency which affects the product’s efficacy. Not only that, you’re also exposing your skincare to bacteria and dirt every time you dip your fingers into the jar to scoop up some cream to apply to your face!

So what’s the solution? Purchase skincare that comes in bottles rather than jars.

6. Using Irritating Hair Care Products

Are you still wondering what’s causing your skin to become red and irritated? Perhaps you’ve switched to paraben free skincare, and you still can’t pinpoint what’s causing the rashes on your skin along your hairline. Have you ever thought about what’s in your hair care products? Chances are, you’re still using hair products that contain SLS, a preservative known to be a skin irritant.

7. Using the Wrong Type of Laundry Detergent

Here’s another cause for your skin woes! If you’re constantly getting itchy, dry skin patches, consider switching to a perfume and dye free detergent. The less chemicals your skin is exposed to, the better!

8. Sleeping on Cotton Pillowcases

Cotton pillowcases are rough on your skin. That’s because the fabric creates more friction between your skin which causes it to crease and kink while you sleep. Swapping your cotton pillowcases for silk will make all the difference! Silk is slippery and glides smoothly across your skin. Reducing creasing as much as possible is the key to prevent any long term damage to your skin’s collagen fibers.

9. Touching Your Face!

Finally, last but certainly not least, stop constantly touching your face! Your hands are exposed to a multitude of germs over the span of a day. The last thing you want to do is spread that bacteria onto your face. The cleaner your face stays, the less chance you’ll trigger an acne breakout.