There are so many ways that you are putting your skin’s health at risk without even knowing it. And to be honest, I am guilty of committing every single one of these skin sabotages.
However, I have recently created a skincare routine that I am SO proud of! I know this blog post was published in 2016, but my skincare routine noted below has been updated as of September 1, 2021! When I realized that alcohol in my skincare products was drying out my face and making me breakout (on top of committing all of these skincare sabotages), I had to get serious about my skincare routine. I eliminated all skincare products that have alcohol in then, which was so hard to do. Alcohol isn’t necessarily a bad ingredient, but in skincare products, alcohol can be drying and pro-aging.
I will be sharing my alcohol-free skincare routine—and all of my favorite products—at the bottom of this post!
Surprising Things That Are Sabotaging Your Skin
Check out these eight things that you have no idea you’re doing wrong, so you can improve your skin’s health and enhance your radiant glow.
- Skipping meals: When you skip a meal, you deprive your body of the nutrients it needs to store energy. This can affect skin by making it look tough, tired, droopy, and even dry.
- Too many showers: Soap, hot water, and too much exfoliation can dry out skin and strip it of its essential oils, causing the skin to wrinkle, crack, and dry out. A common misconception is that the more you wash your face, the less likely you are to breakout, but this is simply not true. Giving your skin a chance to develop its natural oils is key for great, healthy skin.
- Caffeine: Your daily cup of coffee could also be drying out your skin and making you more prone to wrinkles. This doesn’t mean that you should quit coffee immediately. Just make sure that you are drinking plenty of water throughout the day to balance your coffee intake.
- Using expired beauty products: Makeup and lotions don’t necessarily have an expiration date. However, most beauty products have a POW on the back of them (a little jar with a number). The number in the POW jar is the number of months that the product is guaranteed to be fresh and safe for use. Using products past the POW date is not harmful, but your skin may not reach its optimal health, especially if you have sensitive skin.
- Popping pimples: It’s tempting to exterminate a pimple right when it pops up. However, this could be one of the worst things you could do for your skin. Not only will you introduce a bunch of bacteria to the open wound, but you can also create scarring.
- Chocolate: Chocolate is the solution to all of life’s problems, except for the fact that it also creates one of the biggest problems: acne. Although chocolate is great for your heart and other parts of your health, it’s not an advocate for your face. Don’t quit chocolate cold turkey—just pace yourself.
- Brunch: Well, not brunch exactly, but what is brunch without mimosas? Well, it’s brunch with clear skin. Mimosas are proven to cause dehydration and pimples because of the amount of sugar you are consuming in the drink. RE: Chocolate and coffee. Repeat after me: “moderation.” Because who in the heck is going to give up coffee, chocolate, and mimosas? Not me, no way!
- Sleeping on your stomach or your side: In these positions, your skin can be pressed and smashed for long periods of time, causing creases and unwanted wrinkles. UGH! CAN A GIRL LIVE/SLEEP?!
AM and PM Alcohol-Free Skincare Routine
And while I may be guilty of committing all of these skin sabotages, I have perfected my skincare routine, and it’s given me the best skin of my life! Want some insight? Here are my morning and nighttime skincare routines! And again, all of these products are alcohol free!
Morning:
- The ordinary Vitamin C: When I first wake up, I wet my face and then apply the ordinary’s vitamin c.
- Solara Sunscreen: I found a clean alcohol-free sunscreen that’s also packed with amazing ingredients. I apply this after I apply my vitamin c.
- Milk Face Oil: I don’t wear makeup every single day, but when I do, I love wearing Milk’s Tinted Face Oil.
Evening:
- Skinceuticals LHA Gel Cleanser: At the end of the day, I cleanse my skin with Skincuetical’s LHA Gel Cleanser. This is a gentle chemical exfoliant, and it always leaves my skin feeling so good.
- The ordinary Hyaluronic Acid: After I get out of the shower and I have a damp face, I apply the ordinary’s hyaluronic acid.
- The ordinary Niacinimide: To prevent breakouts and treat any scarring and hyper-pigmentation, I apply the ordinary’s niacinimide serum.
- Nivea Essentially Enriched Lotion: After my serums, I apply Nivea’s Essentially Enriched lotion. Technically this lotion is simple when it comes to ingredients, but I love the glow it gives me.
- CeraVe Healing Ointment: Have you ever heard of slugging? Well, basically it’s when you lather on a layer of petroleum jelly before you go to bed. It sounds gross, and I definitely look like a glazed donut after, but it’s WORTH IT. I achieve this with CeraVe’s Healing Ointment.
See my skin for yourself on Instagram: @natalieinthecity_!
