7 Bad Beauty Habits to Break Right Now

If you’re unsure about trying new ideas in 2017, why not consider stopping old habits instead? Now is as good a time as ever to curb routines that prevent you from looking and feeling your best, so here are seven habits to stop and how.

1. 

   The smoker lifestyle

   Hey it’s OK if you can’t quit smoking, but you don’t need to let everyone know about it. Wash your hands after you’ve had a cigarette as that’s where the smell lingers.

   Oral hygiene is something you should work on too but since you can’t always brush your teeth right after smoking, choose the Supersmile Professional Whitening Gum instead. It freshens breath, protects against cavities and is sweetened with a healthy sugar alternative.

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2. 

   Hoarding cosmetics

   Despite there being no physical expiration date, all skincare, haircare and make-up has a shelf life.

   Generally speaking, skincare products are good for around a year from the day of opening but the way they’re handled and stored, as well as ingredients, can shorten the shelf life. Active ingredients such as retinoic acid for example, begin to oxidize upon contact with air and lose their effectiveness after just a few months – so move quickly.

   EmerginC’s Multi Vitamin and Retinol serum keeps its active ingredients locked in air-tight encapsulation for example. Store it, and the rest of your skincare containing active ingredients, in the fridge to prolong the use.

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3. 

   Sleeping with make-up on

   From time-to-time it’s not so bad if you happen to fall asleep without washing your face first, just don’t let it be a regular thing.

   Skin repairs itself at night, but this process can’t happen with make-up in the way because it clogs your pores and keeps the day’s free radicals locked down. This exposure to pollutants is unnecessary and easily avoided.

   Cleansing doesn’t have to be a chore with the Eve Lom Cleanser – a divine blend that melts into the skin and removes make-up and grime in a therapeutic ritual.

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4. 

   Succumbing to sugar

   Sugar doesn’t amount to much more than empty calories. It is an addictive substance that can alter your mood.When you reduce your sugar intake, you’ll begin to notice a marked improvement in your mood. You will be more alert during the day, and sleep easier at night.

   Sugar also leads to the glycation process which breaks down proteins such as collagen and elastin – resulting in fine lines and wrinkles. Nobody says you can’t have your cake and eat it too, just try to cut it down and frequently reach for products loaded with antioxidants, such as the SkinCeuticals A.G.E Interrupter.

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5. 

   Neglecting make-up brushes

   With daily use make-up brushes collect dead skin cells, dirt, oil, pollution, and bacteria, which all goes straight back on to your face.

   Give your brushes, facial cleansing devices and sponges a regular bath and watch your make-up glide on smoother. Try the BeautyBlender Liquid BlenderCleanser, which works on more than just egg-shaped sponges.

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6. 

   Skipping serum

   If there’s one thing dermatologists can agree on – it’s applying sunscreen. But an all too common mistake that goes hand-in-hand with this is that most don’t reinforce their SPF with a topical antioxidant, which most serums are. Yes the sun is to blame for portion of visible aging, but so is environmental damage, which is only prevented by around 50-60% with a regular sunscreen. Pollutants also lead to wrinkles, dull texture and even skin cancer.

   Your antidote is the daily application of both sunscreen and antioxidants. Try Tracie Martyn’s cult Firming Serum to visibly enhance your complexion and promote skin strength. This thin, purple gel is loved by Hollywood’s glitterati.

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7. 

   Blow-drying your hair every time

   Frazzled hair will never be in style. While air-drying your hair is less convenient, it’s better for your hair strands in the long run.

   The extreme heat from blow-drying not only removes surface moisture but disrupts the water under the hair cuticles, which begin to form bubbles and break the hair, resulting in split ends, breakage and scarecrow hair. Skip blow-drying as often as possible, but for those days when this isn’t an option, be sure to use a heat protectant like Phyospecific’s Thermoperfect 8.

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