6 skin care habits that’ll give you better skin

While there are a HEAP of different skin care products out there that promise to reduce breakouts, smooth fine lines and create glowing skin, sometimes you’ve got to bring it back to basics. Some of the best skin supporters are simple daily habits that can help you get back on track to good skin.

What simple daily habits do we speak of? Well, in a recent Reddit thread, one user asked fellow Redditors, “What skin care habit (not product) has had the largest impact on your skin?” And we can confirm: Reddit delivered the goods.

From no-brainer rules to nifty little tricks, here are some of the top daily habits that might just give you that clear, glowing skin you’ve been wanting for, like, ever. 

1 / Don’t pick your skin

It may seem obvious, but it’s a damn hard habit to break. Don’t pick your skin and don’t squeeze your spots. This can not only make your breakouts worse (read: it’s pretty much spreading the infection), but it can also result in permanent pigmented scarring.

One Redditor wrote, “This seems like a no brainer, but I have a really terrible habit of picking at my skin - and not just with acne but with healing scars on my face, dry spots, you name it. I didn't pick at my skin for all of last week and obviously, my skin looks amazing. Subconsciously started picking at my skin again yesterday, but hey, progress is progress." 

“Picking is huge for me,” said another Redditor, fish110. “If I don't pick my skin [it] looks WAY better.” That settles it then, hands away from your face!

2 / Change your pillowcases on the reg

How often do you change your pillowcase? You may not be doing it as often as you should - and it could be one of the easiest solutions to prevent acne and breakouts. This also goes for makeup brushes and towels, peeps! One Redditor by the name of Themaxswoles6614 said, “I think changing pillow cases frequently and washing them often play a big part in keeping my skin clearer.”

For those who don’t have time to put a load on more than once a weekend/don’t have a billion pillowcases to switch out, another user offered this magical little tip, “Pro tip: if you don’t have a lot of pillowcases (or don’t want to wash them all the time), use a t-shirt! Goes on just like a pillowcase and you can swap them out more frequently.” 

Speaking of washing, some Redditors suggested switching your usual laundry detergent to a fragrance-free alternative, especially if you have sensitive skin, to avoid irritation.

3/ Simplify your skin care routine

Some Redditors also revealed that by simplifying their skin care routine, their skin appeared clearer and healthier. Redditor iac12345 wrote, “Realising that even oily skin needs regular moisturizing, and simplifying my routine. I was adding more and more products trying to fix my skin and was just causing more and more irritation.”

The key is to find skin care products that work together to simplify your routine. Sometimes you can end up using a whole heap of products that aren’t actually suited to your specific skin type, causing more harm than good. Our advice? Less is more. 

4 / Drink more water

We know you’ve heard it a million times over, but that’s because it’s important. Drinking at least eight glasses of water a day will help flush out toxins from the body and the skin – it’s hands-down one of the best ways to up your glow game. Without enough water, your skin becomes dry, flaky and prone to breakouts, acne and wrinkles – which is just not a good time. 

Gooddogsonly wrote, “I aim for a gallon of water per day (which really isn't that hard to do once you get into the habit!) and it has made maybe the biggest difference in the overall appearance/health of my skin!” 

5 / Wipe your phone screen

That bad boy is dirty AF! “Def not touching face, as well as wiping down phone screens/using speaker when I can. The amount of gunk and oil that ends up on a screen during the time you use your phone is gross,” wrote Reddit user meg0neurotHe11.

Yep, really gross. When you place your phone on your face to make a call, your skin is not only in direct contact with said bacteria, but it also traps oil in the pores. The pressure of the phone on your skin alone can create blemishes. So, wipe that screen on the regular or opt for headphones!

6 / Beware of hair products

While it would be mighty hard to give up on applying all hair products, being aware that hair products can mess with your skin is a thing you should know about. One user named shoppingban said, “Washing my face & body after I shampoo my hair in the shower! My bacne is almost completely gone with that one routine adjustment.” 

Gardensnail went cold turkey on the whole thing, saying “I stopped using product in my hair. Turns out that was the cause of my jawline acne.” Touché. 

If you want to perfect your skin care routine, check out these five ways to tailor your skin care routine to your exact needs.

What skin care habit has the largest impact on your skin? Let us know in the comment section below.

Main image credit: Getty