·
Using Face Wipes
Face wipes are good at
removing make up before proper cleansing but they shouldn’t be used alone to
clean the face. Wipes spread makeup, skin oils and dirt around instead of
rinsing them away like a good cleanser and water. They also dry out the skin,
making it more prone to flakiness and premature ageing.
·
Using Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly is often
used to try and moisturize chapped lips
but this is not what the product was made for. In fact, petroleum jelly is best
at creating a barrier on the skin- to protect open skin from dirt, to lubricate
the hands during manual labor and to make dry joints like the elbows less
uncomfortable. This barrier effect means that petroleum jelly is good at
protecting your lips from the cold but little else; as it actually
prevents moisture from entering the skin meaning your lips will be more dry and
chapped in the long run.
·
Not Moisturizing
You may think that because
your skin is normal or oily that you don’t need to moisturize, but think again.
Moisturizers help to plump the skin and deliver ingredients into the lower
layers of the skin that you can’t see. If you have oily skin but your face
often feels tight, then it may be dehydrated and in need of water instead of
the oil that it produces. Try using a water based moisturizer everyday and see
how your skin changes.
·
Washing Hair Everyday
While it may seem like
basic hygiene to wash your hair every day, it actually isn’t necessary, even
for oily hair. Washing the hair too much can dry it out, making it weak and
brittle but also stimulating your scalp to over-produce oil, meaning hair will
seem dirtier in the long run. Try to wash your hair every two to three days and
use dry shampoo in between. Your oily hair will actually become less oily over
time.
·
Cutting Cuticles
Trimming the cuticles is
often a basic part of a manicure but actually this is an unnecessary step. The
cuticles should never be cut or trimmed because this can leave the skin and
nail bed open to infection from unclean tools or outside germs. Instead, use an
orange wood stick to gently push back the cuticles, taking care not to break
the skin.
·
Not Cleaning Makeup Brushes
You may think you’re doing
your brushes a favour by not getting them wet, but this beauty habit can be
doing damage that you can’t see. Makeup, skin cells and bacteria can collect in
your brushes meaning they don’t work as well as they used to and using them may
be clogging your pores. Wash your brushes often in warm soapy water or use an
on the spot antibacterial cleaner to remove makeup and kill acne causing
bacteria.
·
Sleeping in Makeup
Even after a long night you
should still make the effort to remove as much makeup as you can before bed.
Foundation, concealer and powder can clog the pores when left on the skin for a
long time and not washing your face twice a day will allow grime and dead skin
cells to build up.
·
Scrubbing Everyday
Using exfoliating scrubs or
rough exfoliating tools on the skin everyday can irritate it and cause it to
age prematurely as skin cells are unnecessarily broken down and removed. If
your skin is rough or bumpy, use a gentle chemical exfoliator like salicylic
acid or glycolic acid instead and leave the scrubs to once a week or less.
·
Re-using Razors
While razors are designed
to be used more than once, using the same one over a long period of time can do
your skin more harm than good. Soap and skin cells can build up on the blades,
making them blunt and allowing bacteria to grow on them. The combination of
blunt blades and bacteria can lead to skin irritation and shaving cuts, leaving
the area open to infection.
·
Using Old Makeup
There is no point trying to
save money by using old makeup when this beauty habit can cause more harm than
good- beauty products can go off when bacteria from the area and your skin enter
the packaging after it has been opened. In particular, products with wands like
lip gloss and mascara can harbour bacteria from the skin and create an enclosed
environment for it to grow. Most skincare products will have their ‘use by
time’ shown on the packaging with an M for months, but eye products and those
in tubes should be thrown away after six months or less and other makeup should
be used up or thrown out within a year.
