11 Morning Habits That Can Damage Your Skin

Written by Anushree Ghosh  • 

Everyone’s skin needs are different. Hence, your skincare routine should fit its unique requirements, or you could end up making blunders that sabotage your skin goals. But committing sins is indeed inevitable. While some mistakes are obvious, some are not-so-much and they later become the causes of pesky breakouts and premature aging.

Your morning habits are key to good skin that’s worth envy. We decided to dig deep and round up some surprising morning habits that you could be unknowingly indulging in, those that ruin your skin and make it dull and lifeless. Here are some everyday skin-damaging morning habits that you should make a note of and vow to quit immediately:

1. Hitting The Snooze Button

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We are all guilty of this. But let’s get real: we don’t like waking up in the morning. But hitting the snooze button a few times before you finally wake up is a recipe for disaster. The problem here is, you are setting yourself up for a bad day ahead and, most importantly, tired-looking skin that no makeup can conceal. Yeah, to look healthy and glowy, good sleep is critical (1). It’s good practice to rest well for at least 7 hours without disturbance and wake up as soon as the alarm goes off so that you’re fresh and happy. Your skin will reflect that too!

2. Skipping Moisturizer

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We are all rushed out in the mornings. There’s so much to accomplish and so little time! And that means you are also likely to forget to apply a generous amount of moisturizer. This makes the skin look flaky and dry, and hastens the process of skin aging (2). If you dislike heavy moisturizers, opt for gel-based ones so that you don’t deprive yourself of the goodness of this essential beauty product.

3. Saying “No” To Breakfast

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We understand that you’re groggy after waking up in the morning, and all you need is some caffeine. But that’s not a good idea. Breakfast kick starts your metabolism for the day, and even if you cannot manage to prepare a breakfast spread with toast, eggs, and fruits, make yourself something healthy or grab a pack of trail mix. This will help you avoid binge eating and unhealthy snacking that damages skin (3).

4. Wearing Makeup In The Dark

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Natural light in the morning is the best for wearing makeup. It helps you add dimension to your face, notice your imperfections and conceal them well with the right amount of makeup products. Yes, lighting makes all the difference since you don’t wish to end up looking like a mess before you begin your day. Opt for a well-lit area with plenty of light to help you put on makeup evenly.

5. Leaving Out Sunscreen

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This one is a big no-no! You need to wear sunscreen all year round. Forgetting to apply sunscreen post moisturizing your face has both short and long-term effects. You don’t want a sunburn, tan, or sunspots that can potentially pave the way for irreversible skin damage. If the latter is preventable, why not use a generous amount of sunscreen as the last step to your morning skincare routine? (4).

6. Taking Long Hot Showers

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Steamy showers are a great way to start the day, especially when it’s cold outside. But this habit can be disastrous in the long run. Hot water can damage the protective layer of your skin that locks moisture and therefore cause dry skin that speeds up the aging process. Stick to lukewarm water or cold showers instead or switch between the two to get maximum benefits of hydrotherapy (5).

7. Having Coffee First Thing In The Morning

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If you’re in the habit of drinking coffee as soon as you wake up, you should cut ties with it immediately. Coffee is a strong diuretic that makes you dehydrated (6). It will also make it difficult for toxins to exit your system. If you are dysfunctional without coffee, have it post breakfast instead of having it on an empty stomach. Your skin will thank you for it!

8. Following The Same Skincare Routine All Year Round

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It’s a good idea to switch up your skincare routine depending on the seasons. Youthful skin is possible if you know the right products to use as per seasonal changes. When it gets chilly, use heavy products, while summers mean that you can stick to something light. Finding your best fit takes some trial and error, but tweaking your routine depending on seasonal variations is a great tip to maintain good-looking skin.

9. Not Washing Your Face In The Morning

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While the practice of washing your face in the morning is debatable, it’s good to listen to your skin to understand its needs. But, whatever it is, you should wash your face in the morning since bacteria can accumulate on the skin while sleeping on the pillowcase (7). Come morning, prime your skin by cleaning it with a gentle cleanser so that it washes off the nighttime creams and serums. Alternatively, you can also choose micellar water, exfoliating cleansers, or cleansing balms so that you have a super-fresh slate to begin your day.

10. Missing Out On Serums Or Actives

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Our skin starts developing issues with time, and this is where serums can come to your rescue. There’s a reason why skin actives and serums have garnered so much attention among beauty enthusiasts. Depending on your skin goals, you can choose from a range of serums like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, ceramides, and squalene. Still, experts suggest making Vitamin C your holy grail for your morning skincare routine. Vitamin C has many benefits, from protecting against skin damage, lightening and brightening skin, to controlling hyperpigmentation (8). Keep it simple with just a single skin active but ensure that you follow it religiously to notice significant results.

11. Not Drinking Enough Water

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Staying hydrated is perhaps the most critical thing you can do for healthy skin. When you drink water on an empty stomach, you purify your colon by flushing out toxins, and kickstart your metabolism. Water lubricates your body, makes you alert, and helps you regulate its temperature. Your body will lose water through sweat, bowel movements, respiration, and urination throughout the day. Since every bodily function is dependent on water, it would be a blunder not to recharge with sufficient water in the morning (9).

Healthy morning habits are essential to have fresh and youthful-looking skin. The tips mentioned above could seem trivial right away, but in the long run, they can be incredibly beneficial in preserving your skin’s vitality and radiance. Are you guilty of committing these morning habits too? Do let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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