In a perfect world none of us would pick at our skin, and Sutton highly recommends avoiding it, since it can cause scarring. But in the real world, estheticians know that people are popping pimples at home. Their beef: We're doing it all wrong.
Using dirty fingernails, squeezing too hard or incorrectly, or popping a zit that's not ready to be popped can lead to bruising, scarring, infections, and yep, more breakouts, Somerville says. So if you can't resist attacking that whitehead on your chin, watch this video to see how to pop a pimple the right way. Because as King says, "acne isn't permanent, but scarring is."
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No. 6: Forgetting to cleanse (or not doing it right)
You would think estheticians wouldn't need to remind people to, you know, wash their faces, but apparently it's still a pretty big issue. "Stop going to bed without washing off your makeup!" Somerville says. "If it's a once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence, then that's OK. But if it becomes a habit, your complexion will appear dull and less healthy. Buildup will develop and can clog pores, causing your skin to look lifeless." King says you should use a cleansing wipe at the very least. Quick tip: Keep them by your bed so you really have no excuse.
However, even if you are a regular face washer, you may still be hurting your skin. Sutton points out that soap-based cleansers can be overly harsh on your skin and suggests cream-based cleansers followed by toner to balance skin's pH levels.
King also suggests cleansing your skin twice. "The first wash removes the surface oil and dirt, and the second goes deeper into pores and gets makeup and products off your skin," she says. While this may feel like overkill, she points out that makeup is formulated to adhere to your skin all day, so a light wash won't fully remove it. And if you're not removing your makeup, it can irritate your skin and clog pores.
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No. 7: Keeping bad habits -- that we know are bad
Nothing messes up your complexion more than sun and smoking -- yet estheticians see plenty of clients partaking in both. "They put SPF in moisturizers and primers and the formulas are so light, there's really no excuse not to use one anymore," says King.
Somerville has a warning for anyone skipping their sunscreen. "Sun damage is definitely noticeable," she says. "Skin has darker, brownish pigment in certain areas and is often blotchy."
But even more egregious than tanning to Somerville? Lighting up. "Smoking is perhaps the single most detrimental thing you can do for your skin," she says. "When you puff on a cigarette, you're drawing in more than 4,000 toxins that make their way directly to your skin, clamping off capillaries, reducing oxygen supply, and slowing down collagen production. Smoking also eats up free-radical fighting vitamin C in your body. If that's not convincing enough, keep in mind that smoking causes wrinkling around your lips and around your eyes from squinting against the smoke." Gross all around.
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No. 8: Doing straight up nasty stuff
Estheticians come across plenty of small quirks they wish they could stop. "People who lick their eyeliner before applying -- it is revolting," King says. "You're putting the one area of your body with most bacteria on a crayon and then applying it to your eye."
Other pet peeves, says King? Pumping mascara (you're just pumping bacteria into the tube, she says), not washing your makeup brushes, and listening to old wives tales like putting toothpaste on zits.
Now that you've heard from estheticians, see what a dermatologist has to say about your skin care.
Most of us are experts at something, whether official or self-proclaimed. And whatever your skill -- accounting, gardening, choosing the shopping cart with perfectly aligned wheels -- it can get a little annoying when you see someone doing it incorrectly.
Estheticians and facialists definitely know a thing or two about this. They see clients every day and witness the effects of skin care regimens gone wrong. Bad products, outdated advice, lazy habits -- all of it translates to a less-than-perfect complexion that they now have to fix.
While they're not really complaining, there is a problem. Facials, no matter how amazing they are, can only do so much if your at-home skin care routine isn't right. "It's like working out with a trainer and then going to Krispy Kreme after you exercise," says Annet King, head of the International Dermal Institute. "You're just not going to see results."
So save the sanity of your favorite skin care pro and to help your complexion look even better, we asked estheticians for the skin care habits they wish we'd break immediately. And while you're probably not committing all of these skin care sins, there's a good chance you're doing at least one of them. So show your facialist some love and check out the list.
