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It can sometimes be annoying to be hit over the head with good (and simple) advice. It’s obvious that being addicted to your phone is a bad thing but that one last scroll before bed delivers a hit of dopamine that’s pretty hard to give up. Sure, some of it is well-meaning, like, “try to save caffeine for after breakfast” or “log off at a reasonable time.” But doing everything right all the time is exhausting. So, I’ll level with you. Keep whichever of the less-favorable habits you want if you heed this skin and scalp advice, instead.
Consider it a last-ditch effort to warn you off the sneaky habits you’d be better off without.
What’s the worst that could happen if I… sleep in my makeup?
It’s a universally shared experience. Falling into bed, dog tired, with a to-do list still much unticked and a face full of makeup, the day’s sweat and some pollution to boot. (Naturally, inebriation is also a possible answer here—it’s not ideal but it happens.)
What must not happen, is making it a regular thing, says Dr. Shendy Engelina, consultant dermatologist and clinical service lead at London s Dermatica. “Cleansing your face is one of the most important steps in your skincare routine,” she affirms. “Skipping it can lead to a build-up of oils and dead skin cells on your skin and pillowcase. Eventually, this can lead to clogged pores (a hair follicle blocked with said oil and dead skin cells) and create an environment where bacteria can multiply.” Next stop: breakouts, inflammation, and if your skin is so inclined, hyperpigmentation where said breakouts occurred.
And don’t think your silk or satin pillowcase absolves you. While silk does have antimicrobial properties, pillowcases, like your face, need to be washed regularly to avoid harboring bacteria. If a double cleanse is out of the question, find a clever face wash that removes oil, SPF, dirt, and makeup.
What’s the worst that could happen if I… skip SPF?
Hands up if you think the “wear SPF every day” advice doesn’t apply to you. Or doesn’t apply because you live in an area starved of sunlight. Or doesn’t apply because you just don’t like it. Or—let me stop you. “Everything you do for your skin is useless if you’re not wearing sunscreen,” says Dr. Shereene Idriss, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Idriss Skincare. It’s brutal but it’s true. “UV damage leads to premature aging, hyperpigmentation, and increased risks of skin cancer,” consultant dermatologist Dr. Derrick Phillips follows on. Throw in the fact that the acids and active ingredients you use increase your skin’s sensitivity to UV light and you have a recipe for disaster.
If you’re SPF-avoidant, remember that not all are made equally. There are elegant formulas that sit well under makeup, that don’t have a ghoulish white tint or cause your skincare to pill. Just make sure to find one that you can commit to wearing every day.
What’s the worst that could happen if I… don’t wash my makeup brushes?
There’s no other way to feel about sanitizing makeup brushes than uggggh. While not time-intensive (once you pony up and actually get on with it), they do require time to dry thoroughly and are out of action until that point. Setting aside 15 minutes on a Sunday morning (or whenever works) is critical, though. “Sponges, in particular, but brushes too, are highly absorbent and retain both makeup and moisture, making the perfect environment for bacteria and mold to thrive,” Dr. Engelina explains. Pretty grim. “Without regular cleaning, these tools transfer impurities back onto the skin, increasing the likelihood of irritation, breakouts, and infections.”
For brushes, Dr. Phillips says to use a gentle cleanser or shampoo with lukewarm water and massage the bristles until the water runs clear, trying not to submerge the handle as it can damage the brush. For sponges, he recommends antibacterial soap, rinsing thoroughly, and allowing them to air-dry completely before the next use. If you’re on the go (but not in place of a weekly deep cleaning) a sprayable makeup brush sanitizer can help keep things clean in the interim.
What’s the worst that could happen if I… use makeup wipes more than cleanser?
Spend enough time on TikTok and you’ll come to despise makeup wipes. According to many experts, they’re bad for the environment and aren’t a patch on using an actual cleanser to wash your face. While the first is undeniably true, how accurate is the second? “Instead of fully removing makeup, dirt, and oil, they tend to smear debris around, leaving behind residue that can clog pores and compromise the skin barrier,” Dr. Idriss explains. OK, but what’s the worst that can happen, really, from dragging a wipe over your face before collapsing into bed?
“Because some wipes contain alcohol and fragrance, over time they can cause irritation, dryness, and sensitivity. And, because they’re not effectively cleaning, anyway, they can eventually lead to clogged pores, acne, and breakouts,” says Dr. Phillips. The gold star solution? A double cleanse using an oil-based cleanser followed by a gel-based one. Or, simply use the same cleanser twice. If you’re a micellar water loyalist, be sure to follow with a cleanser to thoroughly remove everything sitting on the skin.
What’s the worst that could happen if I… use dry shampoo more than actual shampoo?
“Dry shampoos are good in an emergency and as a back-up option but they do not clean your hair,” says Phillip Kingsley trichologist, Lisa Caddy. “Because of this, if you use them too much you could get build-up which can lead to irritation on the scalp. This could mean that you scratch at your scalp more or over-touch your hair which can end up in hair breakage.” This irritation—which is a manifestation of inflammation—can, eventually, end up in hair loss. However, and this is important, this is if you’re hugely overusing dry shampoo. Caddy’s best advice is to use it twice a week at a maximum, either two days in a row or single days separated by a hair wash. Roger that.