15 Skin Care Mistakes You Might Be Making

Lots of people start to use anti-aging products when they first start to notice wrinkles, but by that time, it's normally too late. When it comes to your skin, prevention really is the best medicine, which is why you should start using products such as retinol before you start to actually see signs of aging. Many dermatologists recommend starting an anti-aging routine in your early 20s, but even if those years are far behind you, start using retinol products as soon as possible to keep wrinkles at bay.

We're often told that acne is a problem for teenagers, but plenty of adults deal with pimples and blackheads, too. However, many of the products that teenagers get to banish their zits are not suited for adult skin and will dry out your face, causing long-term damage without even eliminating your acne. Visit a dermatologist to find products that will get rid of your acne without damaging your skin in the process.

Lots of us leave our sunscreen at home if we don't think we'll be spending a ton of time catching the rays, but doing so could cause serious damage to your skin over time. Not only do UV rays cause wrinkles and age spots, but they can also cause us to develop skin cancer. Even if you're only going to be exposed to the sun through your car's windows, slather on some sunscreen to keep your skin looking young and feeling healthy.

Being as over 70 percent of our bodies are made of water, it makes sense that we should be drinking a lot of the stuff to stay healthy. In fact, water isn't just good for you — it also makes you look better. Staying hydrated will also keep your skin from drying out, and developing a habit of drinking plenty of water every day will keep wrinkles and skin problems away.

Even if you do everything you can to put your best face forward, it's not going to fool anyone if your neck gives away your age. The skin on your neck is delicate, and it is exposed to many of the same elements as the skin on your face, but many of us don't even think to include it in our skin care routines. A good rule of thumb to follow is that whatever you normally put on your face (including sunscreen, anti-aging creams, moisturizers, and toners) should also be put on your neck.

Even though it feels great, try to hold back from exfoliating every time you wash your face. Exfoliating too often can not only damage your skin, but also dry out your skin and strip away its natural oils. Exfoliate only a couple of times a week, and always moisturize your skin afterward.

After a long day, the last thing many of us want to do is spend an extra few minutes in front of the mirror to get all the makeup off our faces. However, leaving all that stuff on your face all night can do both short-term and long-term damage. It can clog your pores, cause breakouts, and even make you look older if you do it on a regular basis. Even if you don't have the energy to completely wash your face, keep a container of makeup wipes by your bedside table so you can take it all off without even walking to the bathroom.

You might consider yourself to be a squeaky-clean person, but that doesn't mean your pillow cases shouldn't be washed on a very regular basis. While you sleep, you shed oil, dirt, and dead skin cells onto your pillow. It goes without saying that continuing to rest your face on that mixture every night isn't very good for your skin. Wash your pillow cases around once a week with a mild detergent to make sure you don't undo your end-of-the day washing routine.

When it comes to skincare, less really might be more. We're told by beauty companies that we need a whole arsenal of cleansers and creams to take care of our skin, but in reality, the number of products you need to take care of your face is probably not so large. Unless your dermatologist tells you otherwise, a simple cleanser, moisturizer, and possibly one or two other products are usually all you need to keep your largest organ looking and feeling great.

If you don't sanitize your phone after you use it, you're basically putting a very high-tech petri dish up on your face. Our phones collect bacteria from our faces, pockets, purses, and wherever else they can (How many of us check our messages while sitting on the toilet?), and when all that grime makes contact with our skin, it provides the perfect fuel for acne and other skin problems. Protect your skin by sanitizing your phone at least once a day.

We know by now that sugar is bad for our waistline, but it's also bad for your skin. Eating too much sugar can cause problems including blemishes, wrinkles, and dull skin tone. If your skin doesn't seem to cooperate no matter what products you use, try cutting sugar out of your life and see what a difference it can make.

Whether it's to pick at a pimple or just rest your chin at your desk, you probably touch your face a lot more than you realize. When you consider all the dirty surfaces you touch during the day, though, you might want to reconsider putting your hands on your cheeks and chin. All that bacteria can cause a whole host of skin problems, so if you absolutely have to touch your face, make sure you wash up first.

As a teenager, you probably couldn't wait to outgrow the oily, pimply skin that ruined all your school photos. However, your skin doesn't stop changing just because you reach adulthood. Its needs will evolve as you age, so the products you use in your 20s will probably be different from the ones you'll need in your 30s, which will be different from the ones you'll need in your 40s. Visit a dermatologist once every few years to learn which products are right for you during each stage of your life.

Avoiding sugar isn't the only dietary concern you should have when it comes to your skin. Many vitamins and minerals, especially K, C, and E, are crucial to maintaining beautiful, healthy skin. Keep your epidermis gorgeous from the inside out by making sure to get plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet throughout the day. You'll not only feel better, but you'll look better, too!

While it's good to wash away the grime of the day, doing it too often could have the opposite effect of what you'd hope for. Over-washing your face can strip the skin of its natural oils, and to compensate, it often produces even more oil than normal. This can lead to a greasy sheen, which will only come back after you wash it away yet again. Avoid washing your face more than twice a day, and when you do, make sure you're using a gentle soap.

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