6. Harsh cleansing like immoderate exfoliating can actually exacerbate oil production and worsen breakouts by spreading bacteria.
7. Losing sleep. “Sleep deprivation causes stress, which can aggravate all skin conditions, including acne, eczema, and psoriasis,” says Karyn Grossman, a dermatologist who practices in Santa Monica, Calif., and New York City.
8. Not washing your face at night leaves your skin vulnerable to acne. Some even argue that for each night you sleep in makeup, it ages you 14 days.
9. Indulging in junk food. A study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that people who replaced processed carbs with high-protein foods and whole grains broke out less. The reason? Carbs cause your blood sugar to rise, triggering a surge of insulin, which stimulates oil-producing hormones –leaving you with pesky pimples.
10. Popping zits? Don’t do it! This creates scarring and pitting.
11. Skipping the gym is a no, no! Working out improves circulation, a necessary ingredient for glowing skin.
12. Bronzer? Fine. Self-tanner? Fine. The real thing? No Bueno! Tanning beds emit concentrated UVA light, which penetrates deeper than both UVA and UVB rays found in sunlight. In other words, you increase your chances of getting sin cancer.