Are You a Victim of These Beauty Mistakes?

Sometimes we don’t even know that we’re making beauty mistakes that can negatively affect our skin. Knowing the basic do's & don'ts can help you achieve that glorious skin you work so hard to acquire. Take a look at this list of beauty mishaps and try to avoid making them in the New Year.

1. Not washing your hands before using beauty products. This is especially true in today's world and if you’re a fan of DIY and more natural products which don't usually contain chemical persevering agents.  If you plunge your finger into serums or a jar of moisturizer time and time again, you’re just spreading germs. Wash your hands before using your favorite beauty products, especially in the winter time, when germs are spreading like wild fire. You can also use q-tips or small plastic applications to take your beauty creams out of their jars and then place on your finger tips for application.

2. Licking your lips. Sometimes when you’re in a bind and you don’t have a lip moisturizer on hand, you may be guilty of licking your lips or maybe it’s just a bad habit that you can’t seem to kick. Either way, licking your lips depletes them of moisture when you need it the most causing them to be dry and cracked.

3. Turning up the heat. This is especially true in the winter time when a combination of dry winter air and hot water from bathing or showering strips your skin of much needed moisture. Turn the heat down in the shower, it’s not good for your skin.

4. Not removing makeup. It’s important that your skin gets the opportunity to breathe at night. Even if you’re beat, take the time to remove your makeup. Makeup not removed from the skin over time adds to clog pores and can cause acne. Take it a step further by taking breaks from makeup every so often.

5. Not wearing sunscreen. We all know the importance of wearing sunscreen in the Spring, Summer months and when it's hot outside. However as we bundle up more in the Fall and Winter time, our faces are still prime for sun damage— especially if we live in snow-heavy climates or enjoy hitting the slopes or going for wintry hikes. Snow and sleet reflects the sun’s rays onto your skin, so in this case, sunscreen can be even more crucial in the winter.

Originally written by Sara N, contributing writer (2016)