Skincare can be a tricky thing and especially when your skincare products don’t actually tell you that your lifestyle could be the culprit of not achieving the skin you want. Sure, the right skincare can encourage healthy looking skin but it has to compliment a healthy lifestyle. Here are ten habits that could be sabotaging your skincare goals.

Drinking too Much Caffeine: Drinking too much caffeine throughout the day can dehydrate you causing your skin to look unhealthy and dry. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day not only hydrates you but helps the body to digest food, absorb nutrients and sweat out any toxins. Water can get boring at times, try infusing your water with berries, cucumber and citrus for additional antioxidant protection.

Skipping on Cardio: We all know the benefits of exercise and yet we skip it on a daily basis. Getting your blood moving and your heart pumping is crucial for the blood to transfer nutrients to the skin. Additionally, through sweating, you skin is able to release toxins. Get a healthy glow by reserving 20 minutes a day for cardio exercise.

Keeping Your Makeup On: Not removing your makeup before a workout or bed can clog pores and cause breakouts. Try to remove your makeup when it is not required to beat breakouts and lackluster skin. Try MAXeffects naturals 3in1 Eye and Face Makeup Remover Plus Toner to get double duty out of your time.

Over Cleansing: It seems logical to cleanse your skin more when your skin is not as even-toned as you would like. Although cleansing your skin is a good thing, over cleansing can dehydrate your skin which makes your skin more susceptible to breakouts and sensitivity. Cleansing should occur once a day.

Sun Worshipping: There’s nothing like a beautiful, blue sky type of day and why not be outside? Protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays by applying sunblock, sunglasses and a hat. Beat accelerating aging by being mindful of the effects that the sun can have on your skin.

Not Protecting in the Elements: Cold and windy weather can cause severely dry skin. Create a protective barrier between your gorgeous skin and the environment by applying a moisturizer that is suitable for your skin type.

Making the Tooth Fairy Unhappy: Sugar is not only bad for your teeth but studies show that consuming too much sugar can accelerate the ageing process by converting glucose into Advanced Glycation End Products which end up damaging collagen and elastin. It’s bittersweet. Everything in moderation!

Skimping on Sleep: There’s nothing worse than not having a good night’s rest. You wake up disorientated by the sound of your alarm clock, your body automatically goes into survival mode and then you slug through the day. Besides not being your optimal self, your skin also suffers. Not getting enough sleep does not give your skin the time to restore and heal itself, your body is producing the stress hormone cortisol throughout the day which is released due to trying to stay alert. Later, cortisol shows on your face through pale, dull skin and acne breakouts.

Using the Wrong Skin Care for Your Skin Type:  We have all done this! Running out of skincare and then going to the store only to find a “similar” skin care line is on sale. You say to yourself, “it’s on sale!” and then you take it home. A week or two later, you want to jump out of your skin because your new, “on sale” skincare is just not working for you. Understanding your skincare and purchasing skincare for your skin type or for all skin types can make a world of a difference!

Missing Home Cooked Meals:  Eating out can be a nice treat until it starts to trick your skin into looking dull, uneven and broken out. Missing home cooked meals could mean missing essential vitamins and nutrients that promote healthy, vibrant and young looking skin.