Things you should never do to your skin 

We’ve all seen plenty of Instagram tutorials with makeup tricks that can change your skin and even your face! But what if I tell you that you can look radiant and with flawless skin without all that makeup too? The trick here is not what you have to do but what you should never do to your skin.

The good news is that more important than going to star dermatologists, having facials and other complicated and expensive treatments, a few simple changes in your daily skincare routine and lifestyle can make your skin splendid.

So here are the things you should never do to your skin.

1- Long hot baths

Hot water isn’t good for your skin. Although long steaming showers and baths are very relaxing and enjoyable, they really dry your skin out. It can cause itching and rashes as hot water robs the natural oils and proteins from your skin. Try to lower the water temperature or have shorter baths. The way you dry yourself is important too, do not rub the towel vigorously; you should pat yourself gently instead. In this way, you only remove the excess water and let your skin be prepared to be moisturized straight away.

2- Washing your face too much

I’m sure you know all too well that you should never go to bed with makeup on, but there is no need to scrub and rub so much to remove your makeup. In fact, too much rubbing can irritate and damage your skin and also take away all the natural oils, forcing it to produce more oils. Instead, use a proper makeup remover, applying it with a gentle massage, let it “soak” on your face for a few seconds and then remove it with a cotton pad without scrubbing. After that, you must wash your face to remove all the residues; otherwise, when you apply the moisturizer, you can push dirt into your skin’s pores.

3- Exfoliating too much

Getting rid of dead cells is a good way to achieve glowing and younger-looking skin. However, you must be careful not to overdo it, or you will end up with irritated and red skin. Take double care if you use anti-ageing products containing AHA, an alpha-hydroxy acid that already is a chemical exfoliator.

4- Not using sun protection all year round

UVB rays are powerful during summer, but UVA rays are constant all year round. Although UVA rays won’t burn your skin, they contribute to skin ageing and even skin cancer! UVA rays can pass through glass windows and clouds, so choose a moisturizer with SPF 30 and use it every day, even on cloudy days.

5- Not getting enough sleep

When you’re sleeping, your skin works the hardest to repair damaged cells and create new ones. It is also at night that the creams you use penetrate deeper and work the best. This is why at least 7 hours of “beauty sleep” a night are essential.

6- Getting a Tan

A bit of sun is wonderful; it gives you vitamin D and a little colour to your cheeks. However, laying hours in the sun can cause sunburn and wrinkles, not to mention that being too tanned is extremely tacky. Worse than that, only if you lay in a tanning bed (Trump style!). This is an absolute horror you are inflicting on your skin because you are exposed to UVA rays 12 times stronger than if you were sunbathing outdoors. And the chances of having a melanoma increase by 20%.

7- Not drinking enough water

As a matter of fact, your skin and all of your body need to be hydrated.
Get used to drinking plenty of water regularly. The results will be far more effective than all the beauty products you’ve been using. 2 litters per day, baby!

8- Drinking too much alcohol

Sorry girls, I don’t want to rain on your parade, but alcohol is terrible for your skin. Too much alcohol dries your skin out and makes it look dull as it slows down the renew of the cells. But, of course, one or two glasses now and again are more than okay!

9- Smoking

Tobacco is one of your worst enemies. Cigarettes are filled with toxins that have terrible effects on your skin too. It causes early ageing and sagging, and the skin loses all its brightness, turning greyish and dull. 

So now that you know all the DOs and DON’Ts to have wonderful skin, you’ll be ready in no time for the “no-makeup look” that many girls have already adopted.

Title image: Selma von Schönburg, Notorious Mag’s editor-in-chief, having a beauty moment with her daughter.