10 Bad Skin Habits

1. Skipping Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen

The best way to keep your skin from getting wrinkled, saggy, and speckled is sunscreen, SPF 30 at the minimum. Broad-spectrum formulas (meaning they shield against both UVA and UVB rays) with Mexoryl or Helioplex offer the longest-lasting protection. (We like Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55 and La Roche-Posay Anthelios 40.) 




2. Smoking

Like you need another reason to quit? Seriously—it's time. Because if you keep smoking, you'll not only damage your health, but you'll develop more and more deep wrinkles and blotchier skin tone. In fact, every decade of smoking results in a perceived extra 2.5 years of age, according to research published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.




3. Drinking Too Much

Now, we're not taking away all your fun—you can still have a glass of something. But drink more than one cocktail a day, and your skin suffers. Alcohol increases the level inflammatory agents in the bloodstream—"which can hasten skin sagging over time," says Fredric Brandt, a dermatologist in New York City and Coral Gables, Florida.




4. Picking the Wrong Products

Using stuff that's wrong for your skin type is a hugely common mistake, says Miami dermatologist Leslie Baumann, author of The Skin Type Solution.




5. Ignoring Your Neck and Chest

Skin care doesn't stop at your jawline. "These areas are almost always exposed, and yet they rarely receive same level of hydration and sun protection as the face. But the skin there is more delicate and just as vulnerable to photoaging," says Los Angeles dermatologist Howard Fein. The fix is simple: The next time you apply serum, face cream, or sunscreen or give yourself an exfoliating treatment, extend everything down to your décolletage.




6. Overlooking Moles

A study conducted by the National Cancer Institute showed that fifty percent more melanoma cases occurred in women ages 15 to 39 in 2004 than in 1980. The lesson here? Everyone needs to get a mole screening with a dermatologist once a year—and you should also check yourself every month, remembering to examine less-obvious places such as your scalp, the soles of your feet, and under your nails. Even if your moles pass the test, don't underestimate the power of gut instinct: "If you look at something twice," says Philadelphia dermatologist Eric Bernstein, "show it to a dermatologist."




7. Using Dirty Makeup Brushes

Eh, why bother, you think. Here's why: Skip washing your brushes and you could wind up with muddied colors, clogged pores, and bacterial infections. Once every three weeks, lather brushes with a gentle shampoo such as Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo, rinse well, and let them dry overnight or use wipes, such as Japonesque Pro Brush Cleaner Wipes. Another option: Clinique Antibacterial Brush collection—they're treated with a microbial solution that destroys germs. (You still have to wash them, but only about once a month.)




8. Constant Phone Chatter

Resting your chin or cheek against a phone—cell or old-school—can lead to breakouts, whether or not the phone is clean and bacteria-free. "Just leaning your face against it can cause friction, occlusion, and heat, all of which can make you break out," says Bay Area dermatologist Katie Rodan. If your chatting habit is too ingrained to shake, consider a headset.




9. Overexfoliating

Sorry—while squeaky-clean pores may initially feel good, "harsh cleansing or too much exfoliating can actually exacerbate oil production and worsen breakouts by spreading bacteria," Fein says. A gentle alternative: Use a glycolic peel, such as Avon Anew Clinical Advanced Retexturizing Peel, three times a week.




10. Not Washing Your Face at Night

Letting skin marinate in makeup—not to mention a day's worth of oil buildup—can lead to clogged pores and zits, especially if you're prone to acne. "Your body temperature increases slightly when you sleep, which can enhance absorption of whatever's on the surface," says Rodan. "So you really want only beneficial ingredients on your face when you sleep."