Here are some of the deadliest beauty sins you should steer clear from to keep looking gorgeous:

Sleeping with your makeup on
As tired as you may be from your late night out, never be too tired to wash your makeup off before you go to bed. It’s called “beauty sleep” for a reason. Because your skin regenerates at night, by not removing your makeup, you are suffocating your skin and literally not allowing it to breathe. Your best bet is to invest in a good makeup remover and facial cleanser. Unsightly blemishes and potentially damaged skin for the rest of your life is probably something you don’t want to wake up to.

Cleansing your face with water that’s too hot
Scorching hot water steals the moisture out of your skin like you won’t believe. It also causes broken capillaries on your face, making your skin red, blotchy and sensitive. To avoid this problem, cleanse your face with lukewarm or tepid water. Dry and inflamed skin is always a turn off.

Washing your face before your hair
This is a definite no-no, especially if you have very sensitive skin. Hair product residue can lead to breakouts and clogged pores if it is not washed away properly. So, always make sure that you cleanse your face thoroughly after washing your hair. Your hairline will thank you.

Moisturising too much
Yes, we all want soft, supple skin, but smothering yourself in moisturiser won’t do the trick. Using your moisturiser in excess will only leave your skin feeling and looking disgustingly greasy, and unable to breathe, resulting in clogged pores.  A little bit goes a long way. You should always take this into account when applying your moisturiser.

Not applying SPF daily
Whether you’re indoors or in direct sunlight, wearing an SPF every single day is the best way to prevent premature ageing, leathery-looking skin, and even skin cancer. Not wearing a daily SPF is one of the biggest beauty blunders you can make. The more sun damage you prevent now, the better your skin will be in the future. If you find that applying a day cream and an SPF is too much for your skin, go for a day cream that already has SPF in it. It will save you time and do your skin the world of good.

Using harsh exfoliators
Exfoliation is crucial for getting rid of dead skin cells, keeping bacteria and pimples to a minimum, and ensuring a bright and even-toned complexion. While exfoliating is good for your skin, using the wrong type of exfoliator can have the opposite effect. Exfoliators come in scrub and liquid form. Scrubs should generally be used on your body, and liquids should be used on your delicate face skin. The misconception among most people is that using a scrub on your face works better as you can physically feel an effect taking place. Because the particles in a scrub are often rough and uneven, what you’re actually doing is damaging the surface of your skin, leaving your skin red, irritated and blotchy. To avoid this, only make use of liquid exfoliators on your face. And, remember to be gentle. You don’t have to scrub your skin to death to exfoliate it.

Over-washing your hair
Although over-washing your hair doesn’t seem like much of a beauty sin, it can have terrible consequences. Washing your hair too often strips your hair of its natural oils, which can result in dry, damaged tresses and hair loss. You should only wash your hair every day if it is especially oily. Most other hair types can last for a few days between washes. If the idea of not washing your hair bothers you, use only the mildest hair care products.  

Wearing tight ponytails
The tighter your ponytail, the more prone your hair will be to falling out. Pulling your hair into a taut style, especially if it’s done on the regular, may cause traction alopecia, a form of hair loss that leads to a receding hairline – so unsexy! The solution? Let your hair down! Simple!

Leaving nail polish on for too long
Because nail polish acts as a barrier against the natural elements, it stops your nails from breathing, which can result in dry, brittle nails. It may also hinder your nails from growing properly, leaving them with uneven and bumpy ridges. Nail polish can also stain your nails, making them look yellow and ugly. To stop this from happening, go nail-polish free and give your nails some time to breathe. Even if it’s just for one day, it’s important that your nails are exposed to the natural elements in order for them to grow and produce new, healthy cells.

Are you guilty of any of these beauty sins? 

Article by: Caryn Kreuiter