10 Bad Skin Habits To Break Now

Stop these beauty blunders and get glowing once more.

SLEEPING WITH YOUR MAKEUP ON

“Going to bed without removing your makeup, as well as accumulated oil, dirt, bacteria and pollutants, can contribute to clogged pores, blackheads, whiteheads and acne breakouts,” says Dr Calvin Chan, medical director of Calvin Chan Aesthetic & Laser Clinic.“Left on overnight, makeup can dehydrate and age your skin (making it look more wrinkled, blotchy and patchy), as it interrupts healthy skin cell turnover and interferes with night-time repair. Day-old makeup is sticky, making it a great trap for free radicals, and for locking in irritants while keeping moisture out,” he adds.Makeup artist Larry Yeo recommends using a cleansing oil daily to clear out the gunk and grime, and then a gentle facial cleanser while in the shower. But on nights when you know you are going to crash, keep makeup-removal wipes by your bedside.

RELYING ONLY ON SPF IN MAKEUP OR SKINCARE

Just because your foundation comes with a high Sun Protection Factor (SPF), doesn’t mean you can skip applying a sunscreen. Makeup and skincare that contain SPF only give you added protection – they are not designed to replace sunscreen.“Sunscreen adheres better to the skin as it is generally formulated to be more water-and sweat-resistant than makeup,” explains Larry. “Sun protection from makeup such as foundation is insufficient, as we don’t apply enough for adequate UV coverage.”When applying sunscreen, you generally need an amount the size of a 20-cent coin for effective sun protection. If you’re spending the day outdoors, reapply sunscreen once every two hours.

PILING ON PRODUCTS 

Resist the urge to layer 10 to 15 products on your skin. “It is not necessary to use so many products as most have similar ingredients,” says Dr Joyce Lim, dermatologist at Joyce Lim Skin and Laser Clinic.