The 6 worst things you’re doing to your skin, according to a dermatologist

You might think that you’re taking care of your complexion, but chances are, you’re making some mistakes. Board-certified dermatologist Elizabeth Mullans M.D., a clinician practicing out of Houston, TX, has some tips and tricks to help with six of the worst things you could be doing when it comes to skincare.

1. Hydrating too much

One of the worst things you can do for your skin is hydrating it improperly. Oil-filled moisturizers are a big problem, as they could cause acne or greasy skin. Dr. Mullans says to keep from developing acne, “avoid heavy moisturizers and only use non-comedogenic products.”

Examples of heavy moisturizers might be the kind of hydrating substances that your parents might have used, like Pond’s Cold Cream. Non-comedogenic products are dermatologist-endorsed items that are guaranteed not to block up your delicate pores.

Rather than using antiquated products that aren’t good for your skin, however, Dr. Mullans recommends some better modern options. “Assuming skin is not too sensitive, Neutrogena Hydroboost Gel prevents dryness without clogging pores and absorbs into the skin quickly without leaving any residue.”

If you have pimples, Dr. Mullans says, you definitely don’t want to be drowning your skin in with dense, slippery creams. In its place, she says, “spot treat them with a salicylic acid, sulfur, zinc, or 2.5% benzoyl peroxide gel.”

2. Drying your face out

Another huge problem you could be unknowingly causing has to do with drying out your skin with inadequate hydration. Dry skin can cause premature aging and fine line accentuation. Dr. Mullans cautions against antibacterial soap, as it can be a prominent cause of cracked, dehydrated skin – so keep the Dial soap on your hands, and away from your face.

“Instead, try out something that contains hyaluronic acid and/or ceramides,” Dr. Mullans says. Hyaluronic acid is a substance usually found naturally in the connective tissues of your body, but it is also used as both a moisturizer and a regenerative supplement. However, in large quantities, it can cause dermatitis, and before combining it with products like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, you should consult a professional, or start with less potent samples.

“These ingredients protect the barrier of the skin to prevent irritation from trapped sweat and skin oils.” Additionally, if you opt for antibacterial hand soap, try putting on a nice replenishing hand cream afterward.

3. Exfoliating too hard

While companies often advertise that their numerous peels and scrubs are great for dirty skin, exfoliating too much could be one of the worst things one can do for their skin.

“Exfoliation,” Dr. Mullans says, “helps in removing dirt from the top layer of the skin.” But over-exfoliation can ravage your skin, causing redness, small pimples, pain to the touch, and even excessive oil production. “Be sure not to scrub the skin too hard, as it can cause irritation, and peel off the top layer of skin, causing scars.”

“The Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash is great,” Dr. Mullens adds, to provide lasting removal of dirt and grime. Additionally, “CeraVe does a great body wash for ‘rough and bumpy’ skin.”

4. Picking and prying

Scratching or picking your skin, especially if you have acne, could be one of the worst habits to break. Whether out of stress, obsessive tendencies, or in the attempt to clear up imperfections, your skin picking could be making your skin even worse.

“Do not try picking or squeezing acne,” Dr. Mullans says, “as this can worsen it as well as damage your skin.” Even if you see something you want to get rid of, picking leads to bleeding, which can lead to other issues.

“Frequent picking can lead to irritation and scarring,” Dr. Mullans adds. Try to wash your face and body gently instead, especially if you’re exfoliating moderately in addition to cleansing and moisturizing.

5. Not paying attention to other parts of your body

Dr. Mullans mentions that some of the most prominent kinds of acne aren’t on your face at all, but on your chest, shoulders, and yes, even your back. Over 60% of acne occurs on parts of the body other than the face.

“Back acne is caused when sweat, bacteria, and skin oils are trapped on the skin,” Dr. Mullans says. “Pores on the back are much larger than those on the face, which makes the back an easy target for bacteria buildup.”

Back acne can occur due to sweat, excessive rubbing of backpacks or heavy shirts, or even increased levels of testosterone for both men and women. To tackle this specific variety of dermatological problems, you simply treat it like you would treat the acne on your face, and wash, exfoliate, and moisturize accordingly. However, if you don’t see it going away with the proper at-home treatments, Dr. Mullans recommends that you consult a dermatologist in your area.

6. Not washing your sheets enough

One of the worst things you can do for your skin is one you may not have thought of before, but it’s certainly one that’s easier to do than experimenting with numerous skincare products.

“To minimize the risk of skin irritation,” Dr. Mullans says, “wash bed sheets once or twice a week. Garments should be washed in hot water with laundry detergent and white vinegar,” as it has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Dr. Mullans also recommends that your laundry should also be dried on a higher heat setting.

“Since repeated washing and drying may cause fabrics to deteriorate faster,” Dr. Mullans concludes, “and because some people are sensitive to fragrance, I recommend using a mild, fragrance-free detergent such as Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin Free and Clear.”