Your skin is the biggest organ in your body. That means it is pretty important! It is crucial to keep your skin in good shape. But, if we are honest, we often leave our skin to take care of itself. It’s time to start caring for our skin! Here are six habits to avoid:

Habit #1: Forgetting to put on sunscreen. 

We often do not realize how much our skin is exposed to harmful sun rays. Of course, getting sunshine is good for both our mood and our overall health. But if we want to talk about overall health, we need to take our skin into account. Too much exposure to sun can and will damage your skin cells. The damage will start slow; but five or ten years down the road, you will wish you had taken better care of your skin. Remember that even when it is cloudy, sun rays can still seep through. So take a minute before you go outside to put on sunscreen. It will be worth it.

Habit #2: Eating processed food. 

Believe it or not, our eating habits make a big difference for the health of our skin. The processed foods that you eat are waging and unseen war on your skin. Greasy fried food in specific will end up making your skin look and feel unhealthy. You may notice that when you eat fried foods, your face breaks out more. Fresh, unprocessed foods, on the other hand, keep your skin smooth and glowing. So, while you do not have to go completely green, you should probably be aware of what you are putting into your body; and limit your processed food intake.

Habit #3: Skipping on sleep.

This is one habit that really wears down on your skin. We understand that everyone is busy. And as the schedules get tighter, sleep is often the first thing to go. But getting good sleep is extremely important for your health – and that includes your skin! Skipping on sleep doesn’t just leave dark circles under your eyes (although those are a force to be reckoned with). It affects your skin from head to toe. If you feel like your skin looks dull or colorless, start off by making a commitment to get good sleep every night. As you develop a sufficient, consistent sleep schedule, you skin will begin to glow.

Habit #4: Touching your face a lot. 

We all have nervous habits. These often include stroking our chins, touching our lips and noses, and rubbing our foreheads. So what? Well, besides the fact that these habits just look weird, they are actually harmful for your skin. As the oils from your fingertips transfer to your face, you will often get a buildup of dirt or oil on your face – just where you don’t want to break out. This habit is one of the main culprit for many an embarrassed teenager’s acne. So when you find yourself touching your face without thinking about it, catch yourself and stop.

Habit #5: Forgetting to clean and moisturize your skin. 

You knew this one was coming, didn’t you? Many of us simply don’t think we have time for basic skin care routines. And we try to convince ourselves that it doesn’t really matter. But your skin is screaming for a little love. It only takes a few minutes every day to wash your face and apply moisturizer. Try to do it first thing in the morning or right before you go to bed so that you can build up a good habit. Your skin will thank you for it!

Habit #6: Avoiding professional help. 

Many people will schedule regular doctor’s appointments to make sure that their body is in good shape. But they forget to do the same thing for their skin. However, schedule appointments with a dermatologist is just as important as getting your annual physical. Your skin is a very important part of you, and deserves some professional care. There are some things that home remedies just can’t solve. Your dermatologist will help you find the perfect solution for your skin problem, whatever it may be. For more information, take a look at our Skin Health Center.

If you have any questions, or would like to schedule a consultation, make sure to contact us. We are all about keeping your skin healthy and glowing!