The 10 Hygiene Mistakes That Can Screw Up Your Skin

1. Not Rinsing Off Post-Sweat

You make it to the gym and you’re proud of yourself for pressing pause on your favorite TV binge to do so. As wonderful as it is to sweat and exercise, the same isn’t so true for your skin. At least not when that sweat stays on your skin long after your workout. As a rule of thumb, you should always (and we mean ALWAYS) rinse off after a workout to help rid your skin of pore-clogging sweat, dirt, grime, and bacteria.

To avoid a sweat-induced breakout, simply stow a pack of the Garnier SkinActive Clean & Refreshing Remover Cleansing Towelettes in your gym bag. Designed to remove makeup and impurities in one simple step, these are a quick, effective solution to your post-sweat skin care routine. For your body skin, hop into the shower and give yourself a thorough rinsing off before resuming the rest of your planned activities.

2. Touching Your Face Absentmindedly

Think about everything else you touch in a day. The subway turnstile, the purse you place on the ground below your table, your shoes when you put them on. Now think about all the dirt and grime lingering on all of those things that are hidden from plain sight. When you absentmindedly rest your head in your hands, rub or itch your face, those impurities have a one-way ticket straight to your face. To help prevent breakouts, do your very best to not touch your face. If you absolutely must, just be sure to wash your hands first. 

3. Not Cleansing your Makeup Brushes

In the same sense that people wonder why you need to wash towels if you only use them when you’re clean, the same holds true of makeup brushes. Just like towels, just because you’re clean when you use these beauty tools doesn’t mean that they’re not perfectly capable of attracting dirt and grime as they sit waiting between applications. Add loads of built-up makeup into the mix and you’re just asking for a bacteria breeding ground.

4. Sharing Makeup Brushes

Speaking of makeup brushes, you should never share them. Nope, not even if it’s your very best friend. Surely, we know this one’s hard to follow because you don’t want to be that friend that seems petty and greedy but it’s all in good health for your skin. When you share makeup brushes you can transfer bacteria that one face may be accustomed to that yours isn’t, which can’t prompt a breakout or, even worse, an infection. So, while sharing is caring, if your friends care about the quality of your skin (and their own), they’ll totally understand when you politely decline.

5. …And Makeup

The same goes for makeup. Unless it’s a product that doesn’t come in contact with your face at all, like your liquid foundation. Eye shadow, lipstick, powders with specific applicator sponges and products of the like should never be shared because, again, you could transfer bacteria. Which means while you think you’re just sharing the love of beauty, you could be ruining your skin. Bummer, we know.

6. Not Cleaning Your Phone Screen

Think back to the dirt and impurities that are on your hands. Now think about how often you tap-tap-tap on your touchscreen phone. Once again, we have that lovely transfer of dirt and grime that can be so complexion-wreaking. Luckily there’s a simple solution—just wipe your cellphone down with an antibacterial towelette. Chances are your screen will look a whole lot clearer without a layer of makeup and dirt obstructing full view.

7. Taking Piping-Hot Showers

Hot showers are THE best, right? They might feel like they are but in reality, they wreak serious havoc on your skin. The hotter the water, the more likely it is to dehydrate your skin. And the more your skin lacks moisture, the more likely it is to feel dry and irritated. So, keep the water at lukewarm.

8. Not Washing Your Sheets and Pillowcases Regularly

When you move away from home for the first time you may be shocked when your mom comes calling asking how often you’ve been changing your sheets. What, that’s supposed to be done weekly? Now that you know though, be sure to pop your sheets and pillowcases into a cycle every week or two to get serious beauty sleep without any complexion-wrecking bacteria in sight.

9. Not Washing Your Face Post-Smooch

Kissing is great. But along with smooches come direct contact with your SO’s skin oils (and potential bacteria) which can be bad news for your complexion. We’re not suggesting you swear off kissing forever, just be sure to wipe your skin down with a cleansing wipe before and after.

10. Wearing Makeup to Bed

We get it, you’re tired and you just want to go to bed. We’ve all been there. Truth is, going to sleep with a full face of makeup on is a terrible idea. All that makeup can mix with dirt, oil and grime can clog your pores and lead to breakouts. So, even if you’re super tired, soak a cotton pad with the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser and wipe your face down before shut-eye. Now, sleep easy without a skin care fear in mind, gorgeous!