5 Bad Skincare Habits That Can Damage Skin

Last Updated on June 16, 2025 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

Do you have a bad skincare habit? Mmm… Sometimes, I wish my skin could talk and tell me, “Gio, stop doing that! You’re hurting me!” But it doesn’t. I have to figure out what’s wrong with it and why it’s not as clear and glowy as I want it to be. It should be. I spend a lot of time taking care of it. I cleanse it. I exfoliate it. I moisturize it. I protect it with sunscreen. You know the drill. You do it too. And still your skin doesn’t look its best.

If there were a miracle product to instantly fix it, I’d get it, no matter the cost. I bet you’d do the same. But the ugly truth is that, too often, it’s not the products you use that don’t work for your skin. It’s your bad habits that are doing the damage. Those are a lot harder to fix. But, until you do, no cream or lotion will have the desired effect. *sighs*

Here are five bad skincare habits to avoid if you want gorgeous and flawless skin:

Bad Skincare Habit #1: Popping That Pimple

Pimples are so ugly. When one rears its head (and they always do it in the most noticeable places, don’t they?), all you want to do is get rid of it as soon as possible. And as you’re standing in front of the mirror with your fingers locked and loaded, telling yourself, “This one’s ready, I can feel it,” you pop it. And in that moment, it feels like you’re helping. Like you’re doing your skin a favour. I mean, aren’t you getting rid of the “bad stuff”?

Bad move. What you’re really doing is turning a tiny problem into a much bigger one. That pimple was a local issue. But now? You’ve squeezed the life out of it-literally-and pushed all that bacteria deeper into your skin. The area gets redder, angrier, sometimes even swollen. And let’s not forget the aftermath: flaking, scabbing, or worse, one of those dark marks that lingers for months. Not worth it, is it? Hands off!

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD

Exfoliate with Salicylic acid. It goes into the pore, breaks down the gunk, and clears it out without leaving a mess behind. Just dab it on and let it do its thing. It’s not as instantly satisfying as squeezing, but it works way better, and your skin won’t hate you for it later. Plus, if you use it regularly, it prevents pimples from showing up in the first place.

Best picks:

• Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum ($90.00): Don’t let the name fool you. This exfoliant has both salicylic acid to unclog pores and glycolic acid to fade away the dark spots pimples sometimes leave behind. Available at Cult Beauty and SpaceNK.
• Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid ($29.00): The cult exfoliant from the brand, it unlclogs pores and treats blackheads and acne. The texture’s a little sticky, but if you can take that, this is one of the best salicylic acid exfoliants out there. Available at Cult Beauty, Paula’s Choice, Sephora, and SpaceNK.
• The Inkey List Beta Hydroxy Acid (£9.99): A simple, no-frills salicylic acid exfoliant for people on a budget. Available at Cult Beauty and Sephora.

Related: Why Salicylic Acid Is Key To Pimple-Free Skin

Bad Skincare Habit #2: Taking Hot, Long Showers And Baths

When the weather is freezing cold outside, it’s just so nice to come back home and take a long, hot shower, isn’t it? But hot water is not your friend. It strips the natural, protective oils from your skin, leaving it dry and itchy.

And not just dry: tight, flaky, sometimes even red and irritated. You get out of the shower feeling clean but five minutes later you’re scratching your legs like you just rolled in a patch of hay. Sound familiar? That’s your moisture barrier begging for mercy.

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD

Better take shorter showers in lukewarm water instead. Not boiling hot. Not ice cold. Just comfortably warm-enough to relax, but not enough to wreck your skin. And while you’re at it, ditch the heavily fragranced shower gels that make you feel “extra clean.” Those just make things worse. Not as pleasant, but they won’t turn your body into the Sahara.

And if you want to avoid feeling like a lizard in leggings? Moisturise right after. Don’t wait until your skin is bone dry. The second you towel off, slap on that body lotion. Yes, even when you’re tired. Yes, even when you’re late. Trust me, your elbows will thank you.

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Bad Skincare Habit #3: Licking Your Lips

When your lips feel dry, you’re tempted to lick them to get some welcome relief. For a few short minutes. Then, you’re back to square one. Actually, square 0. Your lips are now drier than before! What’s going on?!

Licking lips makes water evaporate out of the skin. That’s a sure way to dry them out. Plus, your saliva is not some magical moisturiser. It’s full of enzymes that are great for breaking down food – not so great when they’re breaking down your skin. So the more you lick, the worse it gets. Flaky, cracked, and looking like you’ve been stranded in the desert for a week. Cute. So, no licking.

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD

Use lip balm instead. And no, not the sparkly kind that smells like cupcakes and disappears in five seconds. Get yourself a proper one. Thick. Boring. Fragrance-free. Something that actually works. And keep it close – because if you’re a chronic lip-licker, you’ll need backup. Trust me.

Related: The Best Lip Balms For Chapped Lips

Bad Skincare Habit #4: Using Dirty Tools

You wash your face twice a day to get rid of all the gunk that has accumulated on it during the day (and night). But what about your makeup brushes? Or your tweezers? Or towels? You’d be shocked how many people are religious about their skincare and then go in with a brush that hasn’t seen soap since last summer. It’s like mopping the floor with a dirty rag. Pointless.

If your tools are dirty, they’ll transfer the impurities (and maybe even bacteria) back onto your skin again! Your freshly-washed skin. Ewww! All that effort? Wasted. You’re basically putting yesterday’s grime right back on your face. Wondering why your cheeks keep breaking out in the same spot? Check your tools. Check your pillowcase. Check your phone screen. It’s usually the stuff you don’t even think about.

Not to mention, those dirty tools don’t work as well as clean ones. I can’t be the only one who ended up with muddy eyes after applying a lovely shade of green with a dirty brush! Double ewww!

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD

Wash your tools regularly, please. Make it part of your Sunday routine. It takes 10 minutes. Some gentle soap, warm water, a few paper towels… and boom. Done. Your makeup applies better, your skin stays cleaner, and you don’t end up accidentally blending highlighter with last week’s crusty concealer. We’ve all been there. Never again.

Bad Skincare Habit #5: Drinking Too Much Alcohol

There’s nothing wrong with having a drink every now and then. It feels good. It may even help you relax. And look, I’m not here to ruin wine night. Tequila happens. Life happens. We’re not aiming for sainthood. But drinking too much is a no-no. Alcohol is terribly dehydrating to the skin. And it can cause inflammation, one of the main causes of wrinkles.

You wake up the next day puffy, dull, and looking like you didn’t sleep – even if you did. Your skin’s dry, your face feels tight, and there’s a weird patch on your chin that wasn’t there yesterday. Sound familiar? That’s your skin screaming for water and nutrients after you dried it out like a raisin in heels.

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD

Enjoy yourself in moderation, ladies. Or you’ll look older before your time. And not the sexy, elegant kind of older. The blotchy, “why am I still breaking out at 37?” kind. So go ahead and have the drink-just maybe not five. And chug water like your skin depends on it. Because it kinda does.

The Bottom Line

Look, you can have the fanciest skincare routine in the world… but if you’re still doing dumb stuff every day without even realising it, your skin’s going to stay mad. It’s not always about the products. It’s the habits. The little things. The “harmless” stuff you do on autopilot that slowly screws with your skin. Licking your lips. Popping that one pimple. Taking boiling hot showers because it’s freezing outside. So if your face isn’t giving what it’s supposed to give, don’t panic. Just check yourself. Fix the habits first. The glow will follow.

Stop wasting your time and money on stuff that doesn’t work. Click on the image below to download “Skincare That Works” and finally get your best skin day – every day.