Bad Habit #1: Use soap or body wash and not shaving cream when shaving your legs:
Break the habit:
Shaving gels or creams give the razor a smooth surface to glide over and help to prevent nicked or inflamed skin
Use a shaving cream, but not your guys barbershop can
Use girls only shaving gels
Bad Habit #2: Popping whiteheads
Break the habit:
Popping zits can lead to further breakouts and cause scarring
If you must do it, buy a comedone extractor
Swab the extractor and the zit with rubbing alcohol
Apply a warm compress (a damp washcloth works well) to the area to help soften up the pimple
Line up the hole in the extractor directly over the whitehead and push straight down
Or see a dermatologist for removal
Bad Habit #3: You dont smoke, but your friends do smoke
Break the habit:
Even from someone elses cigarette, smoke can wreck havoc on your skin
The chemicals in smoke (carbon monoxide, tar, nicotine) get deep into your pores
They cause free radicals that breaks down the collagen and elastin, which helps to make your skin supple and resilient. This triggers premature aging and affects the skins ability to heal itself
Stay in smoke-free environments
If you find yourself trapped in a cloudy haze, keep your distance from the smokers and look for well ventilated areas
Go to bars or restaurants with terraces or outdoor seating
Back at home, shower to rinse off smoke residue that can linger on the skin and hair
Then apply a moisturizer rich in antioxidants like vitamins C and E to help neutralize free-radical damage
Source: Wadyka S. 7 SKIN HABITS YOU SHOULD BREAK NOW.. Shape [serial online]. June 2007;26(10):242-247. Available from: Health Source - Consumer Edition, Ipswich, MA. Accessed August 5, 2008.
