The skin doesn’t live on air alone. Like us, it needs nourishment, hydration, and toning. And while it’s true that its beauty depends largely on genetics, there are certain bad habits that, if avoided, will allow us to show off almost perfect skin.
What NOT to do:
- Not using sun protection. Solar radiation is one of the most aggressive factors for our skin, which is why we should use a sunscreen suitable for the level of exposure we expect every day of the year if we want to avoid sagging, wrinkles, and pigmentation imperfections. Dermatologists agree: the best way to prevent wrinkles and skin spots is to use a sunscreen with SPF 30 at minimum. And we’re not talking exclusively about sunscreens, but also moisturizers that include sun protection in their formula. There are broad-spectrum products (protecting against both UVA and UVB rays) that contain ingredients such as Mexoryl or Helioplex, offering long-lasting protection. It’s important to reapply every two hours if you’re exposed to the sun at the beach or in the mountains, and to apply it in the morning before going to work.
- Smoking.
Smoking not only seriously harms your health, it also causes deep wrinkles to appear in the skin and reduces its tone. In fact, studies show that ten years of smoking can be equivalent to an additional two and a half years of skin aging. - Drinking too much alcohol.
Drinking more alcohol than recommended has a negative impact on the skin, as it increases the level of inflammatory agents in the bloodstream, which over time can lead to skin sagging. - Choosing unsuitable products.
Oily skin is not the same as dry skin, so not all skin types can be treated in the same way. Daily cleansing and moisturizing routines, as well as cosmetic products, must be tailored to each individual skin type. - Ignoring the décolletage.
The neck and décolletage should not be neglected. These areas are constantly exposed and yet rarely receive the same care we give to the face, despite being delicate and highly vulnerable to photoaging. They are also easy to care for: when applying serum, moisturizer, exfoliant, or sunscreen, simply extend the product a bit further down. - Overlooking moles.
Statistics don’t lie: melanoma incidence rates have been increasing over the past 30 years, being more common in young women and older men. Everyone should visit a dermatologist at least once a year, and each person should perform a self-check at least once a month—even in areas such as the scalp or the soles of the feet. And even if a mole has passed previous checks, it should continue to be monitored. At Clínica Planas Madrid and Clínica Planas Barcelona, we perform a Total Skin Screening, a thorough, comprehensive skin examination that allows us to prevent and detect any skin condition and determine the causes of skin aging. - Using dirty makeup brushes or sponges.
Why? Quite simply, if you don’t wash your brushes regularly, they accumulate makeup residue that can clog pores and cause infections. To avoid this, wash your brushes with shampoo, rinse them thoroughly, and let them dry overnight. - Being constantly glued to your phone.
Well, to your phone or telephone. Yes—pressing your cheek or chin against your phone for long periods can cause small breakouts, even if the phone is clean and bacteria-free. This happens because resting your face against the device creates friction, occlusion, and heat—all the perfect conditions for a rash. - Over-exfoliating the skin.
One thing is to cleanse the skin and remove impurities through exfoliation; another is to “scrub” the skin until it becomes irritated. Over-exfoliating can cause the skin to produce less oil and can lead to rashes by spreading bacteria across the face. - Staying up late.
Lack of sleep causes stress, which worsens skin conditions and can trigger acne, eczema, or psoriasis. While you sleep, the body repairs the damage accumulated throughout the day, and if this process is interrupted, cell regeneration slows down. - Not removing makeup at night.
Throughout the day, substances such as oil and pollution accumulate on the skin, which can clog pores and cause imperfections or dullness. That’s why it’s essential to follow a daily cleansing routine and then apply a cream or lotion with nourishing or repairing ingredients. - Eating poorly.
A balanced diet, with an adequate intake of proteins and essential nutrients, is essential for the proper synthesis of skin components. - Neglecting the eye contour.
The eye contour is not only the area with the most fragile and thinnest skin on the body, but also one of the most abused. First and foremost, stop rubbing your eyes. Every time you do, you risk breaking the delicate blood vessels in the area, causing dark circles and skin thickening. Use an anti-aging eye contour product. If retinol is too strong for you, look for one with peptides to help boost elastin. - Touching pimples or blemishes.
Yes, it’s tempting, but touching pimples pushes bacteria deeper into the pores, causing inflammation, infection, and even scarring. The solution: apply a product with a maximum of 2.5% benzoyl peroxide directly on the pimple. And if acne persists, consult your dermatologist. - Skipping exercise altogether.
In addition to improving your mood, exercise increases blood flow, giving you that “healthy glow.” In the long term, it affects stress levels and directly impacts your skin. Physical exercise helps reduce stress, which improves skin appearance by lowering cortisol levels in the blood. - Sunbathing.
Protect yourself daily with at least SPF 30, and if you are exposed to the sun, reapply every two hours. - Overloading the skin with products.
Many times, incompatible creams are applied or ingredients are duplicated, causing skin irritation or even canceling out the positive effects of certain active ingredients. The worst combination: mixing retinol with AHAs, vitamin C, and benzoyl peroxide. - Not drinking water.
We are 60% water, so adequate intake is essential to keep the skin hydrated “from the inside.” Recommendation: 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day. - Not using masks.
The skin needs nourishment and care. In addition to hydrating it from the inside and outside, apply a nourishing mask suitable for your skin type once a week. - Eliminating fat from the diet.
Lack of dietary fat doesn’t only weaken hair—it also damages the skin, accelerates bone demineralization, and causes vitamin E deficiency. If you eliminate fats from your diet, the body won’t get enough nutrients from the food you eat. That’s why low-fat diets are a disaster: it’s actually healthy fats—such as olive oil and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (found in fish and nuts)—that strengthen hair, nails, and skin.
