Six Skin Habits You Should Unlearn

1) Tugging at the delicate eye area.

The eye area is the thinnest skin of any area on the face, and it’s the first to show the signs of aging, so when people pull on the skin when they put in their contacts, apply eyeliner, or rub aggressively on the area when removing stubborn eye makeup, this can unnecessarily create wear and tear on the collagen and elasticity fibers within the skin. These habits may cause visible lines and wrinkles prematurely, so be sure to treat this delicate area with care.

Read: How to Properly Remove Eye Make Up

2) Misting, not wiping, your skin when using toner.

While I understand a lot of people have gotten in the habit of misting toner on the skin because of the convenience, it is really important to use a wiping action while using toner. The reason is because toners are designed to remove cleanser residue and (most importantly) salts, chlorines, and chemicals from tap water that may dehydrate the skin. So when you mist the toner, you are simply diluting these chemicals, not removing them. Always use an alcohol-free toner, wipe it over the skin with our popular Toning Cloths, and if you so choose, mist afterwards. See our collection of alcohol-free toners.

Read: Cotton Balls vs. Toning Cloths. Which are Better?

3) Rubbing your skin too aggressively with a wash cloth…

It is important to treat the skin gently, and rubbing the skin too aggressively with a wash cloth may encourage irritation, stimulate melanin cells (for those prone to brown spots), and create extra wear and tear on your skin’s elasticity. The fibers in a wash cloth can tend to be a little aggressive, so a baby wash cloth with softer fibers or our Facial Sponges are better choices. You will still get your skin just as clean with a gentle touch.

Read: Use Low-Foaming Cleansing Gels to Wash Your Skin

4) Not washing your skin in the morning.

Many people have gotten in the habit of not washing the skin in the morning, because the skin is already clean from washing the night before and no makeup was worn. The reason it is important to wash your face in the morning is because while you are sleeping, the skin is in repair mode and will secrete toxins and sebum, which can prevent your daytime products from working effectively. When you wash your skin in the morning, you are removing not only the toxins and sebum, but your nighttime products as well – this allows your daytime products (particularly our Daily Protection SPF 30) to absorb into the skin better since they will have a clean slate. Be sure to wash with a mild, sulfate-free cleansing gel in the morning. (And of course, washing your skin every night is a must!)

Read: Cleanser Do’s and Don’ts

5) Using the same products year-round.

Without a doubt, your skin has different needs in summer and winter, but even in fall and spring. In summer, the focus should be on protecting your skin from the sun with sunscreen and antioxidants, which have powerful protective qualities. Products should be lighter-weight in the summer, since there is more humidity in air. A summer skin care routine should have less exfoliation since more time is spent outdoors. During the fall, you can increase your exfoliation to repair the skin from the summer sun.(Read: My 7-Day Post-Summer Skin Repair Plan) With the dry air in winter, it is about increasing moisturization with more hydrating products. In spring, it is time to do a spring cleaning with deep pore cleansing products. So getting in the habit of using the same products year-round is an absolute no-no. Be sure to email us and we can help make sure your skin is getting what it needs for the time of year.

Read: Does Your Skin Get Used to Products and Stop Working?

6) Picking at your skin.

Many are guilty of this one, but they are in the habit of automatically picking at a blemish the minute it appears. Whether it is out of nerves or simply trying to make a blemish go away faster, you really do end up making it worse. The truth of the matter is, a blemish only lasts 5-7 days, but the redder, dark scar can linger for months. Did your blemish leave you with a dark or red scar? Use Post-Breakout Fading Gel. To keep your hands busy and off of your face, see our No Picking! Twisty Toy.

Read: Got a Blemish? To Pick or Not to Pick — That Is the Question

So if you are stuck in any of these habits, follow these skin care tips to break free and be well on your way to healthy, glowing and beautiful skin.

Which products are right for your skin? See our nine skin types and get products recommended.

For more expert skin advice, check out Skin Source–the A-Z guide on all things skin. Also sign up here for our skin tip e-newsletter, follow Renée Rouleau on Twitter and like our Facebook page. You’ll be your own skin care expert in no time!

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Information courtesy of www.ReneeRouleau.com, a website with skin care tips, products based on nine skin types and advice from skin care expert and celebrity esthetician, Renée Rouleau.