A Hard Habit to Break-Elizabeth

I recently came across an article at www.Allure.com (the makeup artist in me still loves reading

about new cosmetics!!) called “17 Bad Skin Habits.” As I was reading the article, it amazed me

how many of the bad habits I myself had! If I (a skincare specialist who worked with bad skin

everyday) was guilty of these habits, how many of our patients were? The entire list can be

found at http://www.allure.com/skin-care/2010/bad_skin_habits#slide=4. 
Below is highlighted a list of some very important, and easily breakable, habits.

* Skipping a Daily Sunscreen - The fastest way of aging your skin? Not wearing a broadspectrum

sunscreen of at least an SPF 30 or higher! A tablespoon is recommended to safely

protect your face.

* Smoking - Do I really need to explain this one? Not only is smoking horrible for your health, it

also ages you an average of 2.5 years every year. Not to mention the awful smell....

* Using Dirty Makeup Brushes - This is a HUGE culprit among many patients. Take 10

minutes once a week, and wash your brushes with your facial cleanser! You’ll be surprised at

the difference!

* Not Washing Your Face At Night - I am the guiltiest party with this bad habit! I understand

that by the end of the day, you’re beat. I’m the same way, but if I can break this habit with a

4 year old, work full time, and school full time, so can you! Take 10 minutes and wash your

face...I promise you’ll see a big improvement within a week.

* Popping Pimples - It’s so hard not to pick. As someone who used to suffer from cystic acne,

I know this all too well. But your face will thank you in the long run if you can keep your hands

off! Apply some SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age or some benzoyl peroxide to help dry it up.

Picking at a pimple can actually push the bacteria inside deeper into your face, causing more

surrounding breakout, not to mention redness and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. If

a pimple looks ready to break, apply warm compresses to see if it will drain on its own. If not

HANDS OFF until it can heal itself.

* Tanning - Again, do I really need to explain this one? There is a laundry list of horrible things

that tanning can do to your body, including thicker skin, melasma, hyperpigmentation, fine lines,

and cancer. Self tanners and spray tans can give you the golden glow you want using much

safer methods.Check out the article at http://www.skincarekorner.com/index.phpp=detail&pid=61&cat_id=.

Which habits will you be changing?

-Elizabeth