9. Pollution. It is an undeniable fact. The air out there is harsh on the delicate skin on your face. It can leave sensitive skin blotchy or itchy, dry or oily. A mild facial wash can do wonders at reviving your skin after you face the hassles of commuting to the office.

 

8. Hands-on approach. You can unconsciously be touching your face with dirty or oily hands. Keep your hands off your face, and while you are at it, keep your hair off it too!

 

7. Makeup mania. The right makeup can enhance or highlight your natural beauty, but the wrong beauty tools can wreak havoc on your face. When shopping for your makeup kit, go for hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic products that let your skin breathe and suit your skin type. And when the day is done, always remember to wash the warpaint off. Leaving makeup on your face overnight is one of the most serious blunders you can make. Another consideration when it comes to makeup is the state of your applicators. Avoid borrowing makeup brushes and sponges, even from your best friend. Regularly wash your makeup brushes with mild detergent, and throw away your sponges if they start looking or smelling odd, as these might already be harboring bacteria.

6. Mental stress. Stress disturbs the way the body functions, and results in hormonal problems, impairment of body immune functions and slowdown of skin rejuvenation. Stressing out also gives you the tendency to consume more unhealthy snacks such as chocolates and fried comfort food. While these may not directly cause breakouts, they hinder normal bodily functions, and make you look unhealthy and sluggish. Chill out to be beautiful.

 

5. Dehydration. Water acts as a purifier, flushing out toxins and wastes from the body. Without the right amount of agua in our system, skin gets dry and dehydrated. So drink your 8 glasses (or more) a day!

 

4. Alcohol. If water rehydrates the skin, consuming alcoholic drinks does the exact opposite. Drinking alcoholic beverages causes redness and makes skin look blotchy. Resist the urge to reach for that margarita, and load up on its fruit juice version instead. 

 

3. Smoking. Lighting up is one of the worst things you can do for your skin. It introduces free radicals into the body, and gives way to premature aging, because it damages the skin’s elastic fibers and collagen. Don’t want crow’s feet while in your 20s? Kick the habit.

 

2. Constant UV exposure. Going out without a sunblock to protect you, even on cloudy days is another big no-no. Sun exposure causes to premature aging and irreversible skin damage, which can even lead to cancer. Always make sure that you have a sunblock with at least an SPF of 30, and which can filter off UVA and UVB radiation.