16 Surprising Things That Prevent You From Having Flawless Skin

Every woman wants flawless and radiant skin. We buy all those expensive department store serums and lotions and wash our face religiously. But we need to be break some bad habits if we want to protect our skin and keep that youthful glow. Check out this great list of things that can ruin your skin from GoodHousekeeping to see if you need to change some bad habits:

1. Sleeping With Your Makeup On

Falling asleep with your makeup on can lead to bacterial infections and clogged pores, which can cause acne. And, the residue that stays on your pillow can even make you sick. Keep makeup removing wipes next to your bed so you’ll be reminded nightly to remove your harmful makeup.

2. Drinking Coffee

Caffeine is a major culprit when it comes to dry skin and the magnification of wrinkles. Quench skin by drinking lots of water. Add fruit slices like orange or lemon to enhance the flavor.

3. Long, Hot Showers

While the occasional steamy shower is great, it actually strips away the outermost layer of the epidermis, which can cause scaly and dry skin. When your skin starts to turn red and itch in the shower, you know its time to step out.

4. Testing Too Many Products

To avoid a skin nightmare, always test new products — cosmetics, lotions, and cleansers — on a small patch of skin. Choose somewhere on your arm to avoid an unexpected allergic reaction on your face.

5. Not Drinking Enough Water

Hydrating yourself daily will not only help to fight off aging, but also give your skin a healthy glow. Skip the water and you’ll be stuck with rough and ‘shrunken' skin.

6. Not Enough Sleep

Getting the recommended eight hours of sleep a night will not only help you look refreshed, but it will also replenish and rehydrate skin. Not getting a good night’s sleep can result in dull skin and clogged pores.

7. Waxing Too Often

Resist running to your waxer at the first sight of new hairs. Too much waxing can result in raw skin and increased bumps. Give your skin at least three weeks to regenerate, especially in sensitive areas.

8. Chemicals in the Water

The heat from prolonged showers can lead to dry skin, but so can your shower head. With all the purifying agents used to filter public water, chemical build up on skin over time is very common. Invest in a shower head filter to fight off dry skin caused by chlorine and other elements.

9. Dirty Pillowcases

At night your skin gets a chance to rest and shed its dead cells. Those dead cells can build up over time on your pillowcase, leaving behind bacteria and toxins. In order to keep skin healthy, make sure you change your pillowcase at least once every two weeks.

10. Exfoliating Too Often

Over-exfoliating your skin can strip it of its necessary oils it needs to maintain your natural glow. Exfoliate your skin just once a week to keep it healthy.

11. Frowning

Constant movements of the muscles from facial expressions can lead to frown lines. To give your skin a rest, try avoiding scrunching and pouting of the face, which will cause permanent wrinkles and lines in your skin.

12. Stress

Consider stress the heavyweight knockout when it comes to your skin. Not only can it cause blemishes, dullness, and rashes, but stress lines from facial movements will also ingrain in your skin over time. To avoid stress, take time to do something you enjoy like yoga, reading, or cooking.

13. The Plastic on Your Dry-Cleaned Clothes

To avoid skin irritation, take the plastic off your dry cleaning as soon as you get home, allowing the clothes to breath. The longer the plastic stays on your threads, the more skin-harming chemicals that are absorbed.

14. Drinking Too Much Alcohol

Wine, beer, and liquor can dehydrate your skin, leaving it quenched for moisture. Without that moisture, you are more prone to wrinkles and dryness.

15. Squinting Your Eyes

Skip your annual optometrist appointment? It's time to pencil it into your calendar. Wearing outdated contacts and glasses will cause you to squint more, and in turn, lead to fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes. To avoid unnecessary aging, make sure you visit your eye doctor at least once a year.

16. Too Much Chlorine

Your post-pool regimen is vital when it comes to your skin. Even after a shower, chlorine can cling to skin and react with topical medications, cleansers, and even lotions. To effectively remove chlorine, always use an extra sudsy soap after you take a dip.

Source: GoodHousekeeping

For 16 more surprising things that ruin your skin, you can go to the original article at GoodHousekeeping.com