Skincare sins you may not know of

Lots of things we do every day can ruin our looks, from washing our hair to talking to our friends.

To stay looking pretty, fresh-faced and perfect, check out this list and make sure you are not doing anything to ruin your appearance. We'll also give you remedies and solutions to each beauty dilemma.

SLEEPING CAN RUIN YOUR LOOKS

Although every princess needs her beauty sleep, it could be causing your skin to age unnecessarily. Sleeping itself is not the problem (or those scary dreams where you kiss that hideous colleague of yours). The problem could be with your pillowcase, which can draw moisture away from and age your skin. It can also leave unattractive lines over your face.

To combat your pillowcase problem, dermatologists recommend you invest in a silk pillow cover. Silk contains amino acids, similar to those found in moisturisers, so when we rest our heads for the night our skin is not losing any essential moisture.

APPLYING MAKEUP CAN BE BAD FOR YOUR SKIN

In the UK, the average woman uses 12 beauty products a day, yet these products could be ruining your appearance rather than improving it. When we apply face creams, moisturisers and foundation, most of us are guilty of doing so with our fingers. But how many of us clean our hands beforehand?

This is bad news for our skin.

Our fingers harbour bacteria and applying your products in this way causes bacteria to be transferred to your face, which can cause infection and spots.

To prevent blemishes and still use your favourite beauty products, use a hand sanitiser before application, or use makeup brushes.

DRINKING STRAWS AND BOTTLES CAN AGE YOU

Although drinking water can help improve the way we look by nourishing our skin, the way we actually drink can make us look terrible. Using bottles or straws to drink is something most of us do every single day, but did you know that drinking through a bottle or straw can age our skin?

Drinking in this way can give us the same lines and wrinkles around our mouths that smoking causes. If you want to stay looking young and wrinkle-free it's time you bought a glass to get your daily water fix.

TALKING ON THE PHONE CAN BE BAD FOR YOUR SKIN

If talking was an Olympic sport, we'd all be gold medallists by now and although we love kicking back and relaxing on our phones and chatting to our friends, your skin doesn't. Think about the places we leave our phones - cafe tabletops, in the drinks holder of our car, on the seat in changing rooms and on shop countertops. We lend our phones to our friends and even leave them on the counter in public bathrooms when we wash our hands.

When you think about your phone in this way, it's not surprising that phones can cause spots and blemishes. Use antibacterial wipes and be a bit more mindful about where you leave your phone.

WASHING YOUR HAIR CAN DAMAGE IT

Though basic hygiene is obviously a vital part of your beauty regime, you have to choose your products carefully. Within most shampoos and conditioners you will find a foaming chemical called sodium laureth sulphate.

Although commonly used, this chemical can damage your hair, your skin and your health. The Hair Loss Control Clinic says sodium laureth sulphate can even cause your hair growth cycle to decline and suggests the chemical can prolong your hair loss phase.

Choose products that do not contain this chemical, such as organic shampoos and conditioners.

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