At some point in our lives we have all been guilty of it. We fall into a beauty routine and use the same products day after day - even year after year - and don’t recognize the harm that is being done to our skin. Your dermatologist works to provide you with common skin habits that might be harming your skin. By recognizing these harmful habits, you can take the next step to healthy, glowing skin.

Picking Pimples: When a pimple first appears, many of us immediately pop or pick at it. This is very harmful to your face. If you experience frequent pimples and blemishes seek professional help from your dermatologist. Your dermatologist can recommend products that contain anti-inflammatories, anti-bacterial and healing agents. Popping a pimple will only make the scar worse or could spread the breakout, so stop now.

Going to Bed with Dirty Skin: While many of us go to bed exhausted, sometimes skipping our own routines, it is important to not skip cleaning your face—it is a necessity. Whether you wear makeup or not, pollution, dust, skin cells and oil all accumulate on the surface of your skin throughout the day. Cleaning your skin at night helps to freshen your skin and remove these harmful agents.

Going Outside without SPF: Tanning is not the only reason for aging of the skin—any time spent in the sun at all also contributes to aging skin. SPF15 or above is the perfect addition to a skincare routine to help prevent aging. Look for a moisturizer or primer with tint and SPF added to give you a multi-tasking product.  

Using Soap to Cleanse Your Skin: You might tell yourself to just grab a bar of soap to clean your face, but that can do more harm than good.  Soap is an alkaline, which removes oil and dirt effectively. On the other hand, soap also strips the protective barrier from the surface of your skin. Your dermatologist recommends looking for soap-free, acid-balanced cleansers that are designed specifically for your skin condition and type.

Boiling Hot Showers: While the feeling of a hot tub or nice hot shower can help ease muscle aches and pains, while keeping us warm on a cold morning, the warmer the water the more stimulating it can be on your skin—especially your face. If you are choosing to cleanse, exfoliate and use a mask in the shower, be sure to turn down the temperature to avoid causing unneeded redness and inflammation.

Contact your dermatologist for more information on how to better care for your skin, and to skip those harmful habits you might be used to.

With a few simple diet tweaks, you can help reduce signs of aging such as wrinkles, dryness and thinning skin.  When people say, “you are what you eat,” it is especially true when it comes to your skin.  In the same way that certain foods can ruin your figure, some foods will also ruin your skin—and, conversely, adopting a healthy skin diet can make all the difference in the world.  What you feed your body dictates whether you have healthy skin or problem skin, so it is time to watch what you eat.  Being food-conscious is officially not just important for helping you fit into your jeans.  Your dermatologist can help you care for your skin by offering an effective diet plan. 

Your Diet and Your Skin

Don’t over-complicate your skin care routine with a multitude of products. Taking care of your skin should be simple. In most cases, all it takes is daily cleansing, proper nourishment and protection from the sun and other harmful toxins.

Cleanse

All skin types need cleansed once or twice a day, especially before bed. Gently wash your face to remove old make up and grime that accumulate over the course of a day. If you notice a pimple or blemish, don’t pick. It won’t get rid of it faster and may lead to scarring. Follow with a moisturizer or lotion to retain moisture and prevent skin from drying out.

Nourish

A well-balanced diet should also be an important part of your skin care regimen. Drink plenty of water and eat vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean protein. Berries, leafy greens, nuts and fish are rich in antioxidants and good for your skin. Exercise, get plenty of rest and reduce stress to keep skin looking and feeling its best.

Protect

Sun protection is important for every skin type. To guard against sun exposure, wear a hat and sunglasses when outdoors, seek shade when possible and avoid the hours of the day when the sun is its strongest. Always apply sunscreen to avoid premature aging, wrinkles and skin cancer, no matter what time of the year. Smoking is not only bad for your general health, but it can also damage your skin - when you smoke you expose skin to harmful toxins, which can accelerate aging skin.

A basic skin care routine is not only essential, but it’s easy. In many cases, enhanced daily cleansing, improved diet and heightened awareness about sun exposure and skin protection is all it takes to achieve more youthful, flawless skin. Talk to your dermatologist whenever you have questions or concerns abut your skin or your daily skin care routine.