You’re probably doing great things for your skin, but you might be sabotaging it in ways you didn’t realize. Even if you have the best routine, there are surprising habits keeping you from glowing skin — that can destroy it over time.

Here are 10 things to look out for:

Eating Excess Sugar

When you feel tempted to grab something sweet, just remember sugar is your skin’s #1 enemy, especially high-fructose corn syrup, which can be found in almost all processed foods. If you have a sweet tooth, choose healthy options like nice cream (frozen bananas blended), dark chocolate, or fruit to satisfy your cravings.

Excess sugar triggers an inflammatory response in your body that breaks down both your collagen and elastin, which is what keeps your skin smooth and supple. High levels of sugar in your bloodstream causes accelerated aging, premature wrinkles, sagging, stiffness, slower cell turnover, and a loss of circulation to your skin.

Not Hydrating Enough

You know the importance of hydrating, but are you drinking enough water throughout the day? Hydrating frequently, consistently, and optimally is crucial for healthy skin.

Water transports nutrients to places they’re most needed in your body. It also flushes toxic chemicals out of your system and helps promote healthy blood flow to your skin.

The best way to ensure you’re getting enough is to start your day with at least one glass of filtered water upon waking and eating your water with hydrating fruits and veggies, like cucumbers, celery, watermelon, romaine lettuce, etc.

Compromising Quality Sleep

When you don’t get enough restorative sleep, your body doesn’t get the time it needs for proper repair and renewal. Lack of sleep not only affects your cell turnover rate, but throws your circadian rhythm off, all of which are necessary for healthy, happy skin.

If you have trouble falling asleep at night, stay off your electronic devices. The blue wavelength light suppresses melatonin, which makes it harder to fall asleep.

To sleep deeper, use blackout curtains and go outside to get natural sunlight first thing in the morning. That helps regulate your circadian rhythm, so get as much as you can before you start your workday. And don’t forget to apply SPF — more on that below.

Create a sleep routine that supports your overnight skin functions by setting a regular sleep and wake-up time, and shutting everything down at least an hour before bedtime to wind down.

Using A Gritty Exfoliator — Or Not Using One At All

Exfoliating your skin is important if you want to improve the health of your skin. As you age, your skin turnover rate starts slowing down. It needs your help to slough away that layer of dead skin cells sitting on the surface of your skin.

Giving it a good, but gentle scrub transforms dry, dull, wrinkled-looking skin to a more vibrant, clear complexion. It also helps your skin absorb all of those expensive skincare products sitting on your shelf, making them much more effective.

To avoid unnecessary irritation and inflammation, avoid gritty scrubs that contain rough exfoliators and harsh peels. Only use gentle ones no more than a couple of times a week and only once if you have sensitive skin.

Not Using SPF Daily

Excessive exposure to the sun can lead to a breakdown of collagen and elastin, increased fine lines and wrinkles, sun spots, hyperpigmentation, and broken blood vessels — all of which contribute to premature skin aging.

The best line of defense is shade and protective clothing, but those options aren’t always realistic. The easiest option is to apply (and reapply) a quality, broad spectrum UVA and UVB sunscreen that’s gentle for everyday use and all year round, even during the winter.

Leaving Makeup On Overnight

Sleeping in your makeup is one of the worst things you can do to your skin. It creates a buildup of oil and environment pollutants that settle into your skin, which clogs your pores and causes breakouts.

Even if you wash your face the next morning, it can leave an uneven surface for your next makeup application. Give your skin a break and let it breathe at night, so it can properly and efficiently repair itself.

If it’s difficult for you to remember, leave a pack of face wipes next to your bedside table, so you’re covered — but properly cleansed, naked skin is your happiest skin.

Exercising with Makeup On

Your skin needs to breathe while you’re sweating it out. When sweat mixes with your makeup — even sweat-proof makeup — it creates a barrier that clogs your pores and irritates your skin.

It’s best to cleanse your face before your workout, but if you can’t live without it, only use lightweight products that are natural and organic. Then cleanse your face immediately after your sweat session.

Using Dirty Brushes

Dirty makeup brushes are breeding grounds for bacteria, which can cause irritation, clogged pores, and breakouts. You’re basically spreading dirt, oil, and dust from your face into your makeup — then back to your face again.

Regular cleaning maintenance is a must, so use a quality brush cleaner and shampoo once a month for deep cleaning.

Overcleansing

Cleansing your skin the right way is an important step for maintaining glowing skin. The key is to remove impurities that clog your pores without overcleansing, which strips away your skin’s natural protective oils. Cleanse at night to remove dirt, oil, makeup, and environmental pollutants but just do a quick rinse with lukewarm water in the morning. It might be all you need.

Start with making one or two adjustments, then add more over time. Let me know what you decide to start with in the comments below or tag or DM me @feedyourglow, hashtag #feedyourglow on IG.

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