6 Morning Habits That Can Damage Your Skin

Your skincare routine might be perfectly tailored to match all your skin needs, but there’s still a chance some mistakes you’ve been unknowingly making are standing between you and a flawless complexion. From eating the same breakfast every morning to applying sunscreen only when you’re outside, there are some less than obvious causes of annoying breakouts or premature wrinkles.

We at Bright Side decided to dive deeper into this topic and rounded up some surprising habits that might be sabotaging your skin.

1. You eat oatmeal for breakfast every day.

Having a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast is a delicious and healthy way to start your day. But if you’re eating it on a daily basis, you might be unintentionally harming your body and your skin. When you eat oatmeal too often, you’re depriving your body of other essential nutrients, which in turn might lead to malnutrition and cause your skin to become dry and flaky.

2. You take long showers.

Taking a long steamy shower is a great way to wake up in the morning, especially when it’s chilly outside. But the habit of doing it daily could be sabotaging your healthy skin goals. Hot water damages the skin’s protective layer that locks in much-needed moisture, causing the aging process to speed up. And if you’re washing your face in the shower to save some time in the morning rush, you might be damaging the capillaries on your face because hot water causes them to dilate.

3. You drink coffee first thing in the morning.

Many people can’t imagine their morning without a hot cup of coffee, and besides being delicious, coffee can actually benefit your skin. But if you drink it every day before you’ve even had breakfast, you might be doing your skin more harm than good. Coffee is a powerful diuretic, which means it may cause you to become slightly dehydrated. This, in turn, will make it more difficult for toxins to exit your body through your skin, and make it more exposed to premature wrinkles.

4. You apply sunscreen only when the sun is out.

Sunscreen helps protect your skin when you’re outside in the summer, but applying it even if you spend all day indoors can prevent skin aging. Although the glass used in cars, homes, and office windows blocks most UVB rays, it still doesn’t protect your skin from harmful UVA rays. So, even if you’re working in an office all day and don’t spend much time outdoors, it’s still better to apply sunscreen to help your skin stay younger for longer.

5. You stick to the same skin care routine.

When you’re rushing to get out the door in the morning, it’s easier to grab the same face cleanser and moisturizer you used the night before. While buying creams and masks that work for your skin type is definitely convenient, using the same products every day isn’t doing your skin any favors. To help your skin look and feel its best, dermatologists recommend changing your skincare routine with the seasons, and switching from an exfoliating cleanser to a milder one as the weather gets cooler.

6. You use the wrong face wash.

If you’ve ever noticed that your face looks oily when you get up from sleep, there’s actually a scientific explanation for that. Your body loses water during the night, and as a way to prevent dehydration, it starts to produce more sebum, causing you to wake up with a greasy face. But even if you can’t stand the oiliness and want your face to look matte, don’t use cleansers with harsh formulas. It’s better to wash your face in lukewarm water using a gentle cleanser and apply moisturizer before you dry off.

Have you been making any of these mistakes? Do you have any morning beauty hacks you’d like to share with other Bright Siders?