8 Bad Skincare Habits to Drop RN

Here’s a scary truth you should know: you’re probably wreaking havoc on your skin every day, without even realizing it. On the plus side, the sooner you become aware of those skin sins, the sooner you can fix them and pave the way to your best skin.

Here are eight bad skincare habits you need to drop ASAP if you want your skin to look and feel its very best.

#1: Popping Zits

Popping your pimples is never a good idea. No matter how satisfying it may feel in the moment, picking, prodding at, and squeezing your breakouts only pushes bacteria deeper into the pores, causing inflammation and scarring. According to dermatologist Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, M.D. FAAD, almost all cases of acne scars are caused by picking.

“In my forty-plus years as a dermatologist, I estimate that over 90% of all acne scars I see are a result of picking,” says Dr. Loretta. “I advise my patients to use this mantra: If I leave this alone, it will be gone in days, weeks at worst. If I pick the scar, it could last a lifetime.”

It might sound dramatic, but it’s the truth. Acne scars are tough to treat. Depending on their severity, some cases last a matter of months or years, while for others they may never fully disappear.

Next time you feel the urge, go do something nice for your skin. Apply a face mask, pop on an acne patch, or slather on your favorite face cream.

#2: Not Washing Your Face At Night

Sleeping in makeup is a bad habit you should aim to break if you want to keep your skin clear, smooth, and blemish-free. Letting your skin marinate in makeup as you sleep can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Even if you’re not wearing makeup, it’s still important to wash your face thoroughly every night before hitting the sheets. During the day, your skin accumulates everything from dirt to oil, pollution and dead skin cells, all of which can clog your pores and lead to acne.

Every evening before going to bed, use a gentle cleanser to wash away the day’s grime. Make this part of your daily skincare routine to keep pores clear and blemishes away.

#3: Skipping Serum

Serums are an excellent skincare product to use in your daily regimen. Since serums contain a high concentration of active ingredients, they are one of the best products for addressing skin concerns like acne, dry skin, dark spots, and signs of aging. Skipping serum certainly isn’t the worst skincare habit on this list, but it could be preventing you from achieving your best skin.

Select a serum that caters to your skin type and targets your specific skin concerns, then include it in your daily skincare regimen. If you’re experiencing premature aging, reach for an anti-aging formula like Rainbow’s Tighten Serum. Dryness? Grab a bottle of Rainbow’s Hydrate Serum. Uneven skin tone, dullness, or pigmentation issues? Choose a product formulated with brightening vitamin C and collagen-boosting vegan collagen like Rainbow’s Smooth Serum. And if you’re after glowing skin, look no further than Rainbow’s Glow Serum.

#4: Waiting too Long to Moisturize

Believe it or not, there is a right time to moisturize. To achieve maximum hydration from your moisturizer, always apply it right after you get out of the shower or tub to seal in moisture and leave skin feeling buttery soft. When skin’s damp, it acts kind of like a sponge, soaking up moisture. This theory also applies to your face. Next time you wash your face, make sure you lotion up while your skin’s still damp from cleansing.

In addition to improving the skin’s hydration, your skin will look extra dewy when you apply moisturizer to freshly cleansed and slightly damp skin.

#5: Only Wearing Sunscreen On Sunny Days

You need to be wearing sunscreen every day, no exceptions. Even when it's cloudy out, UV rays are still present and able to penetrate the skin. Protect your skin by layering on a broad-spectrum sunscreen (meaning it covers both UVA and UVB rays) with SPF 30 or higher.

Wearing sunscreen can protect you from all sorts of skincare nasties including fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, sagging, and even skin cancer.

#6: Over-Exfoliating

Did you know that exfoliating too much can make acne worse?

“Harsh cleansing or too much exfoliating can actually exacerbate oil production and worsen breakouts by spreading bacteria,” explains Los Angeles dermatologist Howard Fein.

Looking for a gentle alternative? Use a chemical exfoliant like Rainbow’s Glow Mask, 2-3 times a week to keep skin smooth, bright, and glowing. As tempting as it might be to use it more, you face the onset of skin issues like dryness, flaking, and irritation.

#7: Using Dirty Makeup Brushes

Bad skin is often the result of using dirty makeup brushes. Your makeup brushes can harbor a lot of bacteria, which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts when you use them regularly without frequently washing them.

Ideally, you should be washing your makeup brushes at least once every two to three weeks. If you wear makeup every day, aim to clean your brushes on a weekly basis to prevent them from causing skin problems.

#8: Neglecting the Rest Of Your Body

It’s only normal to prioritize the face. After all, that’s the area we look at in the mirror every day. However, we urge you to up your skincare game and focus on the rest of your body too — especially your neck and chest.

“I suggest treating the face, neck, and chest as one cosmetic unit because they are exposed to similar UV radiation, pollution, and weather elements,” says dermatologist Jessica Weiser, M.D.

Not making any of the above skin sins, and yet your skin still isn’t looking its best? Visit your dermatology professional to discuss potential skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne. They’ll be able to prescribe you topical anti-inflammatory and acne treatments to help you attain clear, healthy skin.

Start prioritizing your skin health today by dropping those nasty skincare habits above and incorporating good ones into your routine. Drink more water, use antioxidant-rich beauty products, get your eight hours of sleep, and avoid sun tanning.

What skincare tips do you swear by? We’d love to hear your thoughts!