You Need Cut Out These Common Skincare Habits

 

Running is already tough on skin, so why add insult to injury? Whether you are a chronic over-exfoliator or find yourself using the hand soap on your cheeks in a pinch, we’re here to help you kick your bad beauty habits.

Cut Out The Cloth

“Using your hands, the old-fashioned way, is the easiest way to wash the face,” says Dr. Marina Peredo, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. If you like washcloths, she advises using a clean one daily, since a wet cloth will harbor bacteria.

For a hands-free approach, Peredo suggests a tool, such as the Panasonic Micro-Foaming Cleansing Device ($250, panasonic.com), which includes a tapered-bristle brush to gently purify. (Bonus: It includes a pore-targeting silicone brush for areas like around the nose.)

Say No To Soap

Even in a jam, it’s imperative to steer clear of soap. “Soap can dry the skin out, as well as cause irritation,” says licensed aesthetician Edyta Jarosz from Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in New York City. “The binders that hold a bar of soap together naturally have a higher pH than products that are formulated for cleaning the face.”

Instead, opt for a targeted bar, such as perennial favorite Dove Beauty Bar ($3, drugstore.com); the moisturizer-based formula leaves skin clean but not sapped of its natural oils.

Stop Over-Exfoliating

There’s something about a serious scrub that feels amazing, but it can be too much of a good thing. “Over-exfoliating causes broken capillaries, irritations and redness—particularly bad for those with rosacea or acne-prone skin,” says Jarosz. “It can actually cause blemishes to spread.”

Jarosz recommends exfoliating once or twice a week. Choose a formula that scrubs and hydrates, like Naturopathica Oat Cleansing Facial Polish ($52, naturopathica.com), which exfoliates with jojoba while rehydrating with soothing oats.