THOUGHT you’d nailed your beauty regime?
Even if you’re using all the right , you might still be damaging your .
Engaging in certain habits can put you at risk – and some are pretty gross too.
From letting to using your own spit has a way to wipe make-up smudges, Amish Patel, aesthetics practitioner and skincare expert at Intrigue Cosmetic Clinic, says you need to stop these nine things right away.
1. Scraping teeth free of plaque with nails
Teeth feeling furry? Or you’re away and you’ve forgotten your toothbrush?
You might start scraping your with your fingernails to remove any initial build-up.
But, you should know that your hands carry on average 3,200 different germs, according to Pfizer.
Amish says: “Scraping your teeth to remove plaque with high street tools or even your fingernails is a big no.
“You risk damaging the enamel on your teeth and your gums, which could lead to infection and contribute to a receding gum line.”
He adds: “It's doubtful you will be sterilising your hands, which means you could also add harmful bacteria into your mouth and bloodstream, which could have significant health risks.”
2. Not washing your make-up brushes
When was the last time you gave your bronzer or foundation brush a good wash?
Research by Beauty Hygiene Plus found that more than 70 per cent of people have never cleaned their .
“Over time, grease, dirt and bacteria all build up on the bristle hair, so you are literally applying this onto your skin and contaminating your make-up,” says Amish.
He adds that can lead to an outbreak of , allergies and even .
You should aim to clean your brushes with a gentle cleanser once a week, then leave them to dry naturally on a clean towel.
You could even try a specialist make-up brush spray, such as Beauty Hygiene Plus Quick Dry Brush Cleaning Spray, which is available for £2.50 in Boots.
3. Applying your make-up on public transport
Many of us are guilty of slapping on a bit of concealer or eyeliner on the bus or train.
But we really shouldn't be doing this, according to Amish.
“Try to do this at home before leaving for your commute instead,” he adds.
“This way, you apply make-up in a clean environment with clean hands and not with a large dose of urban city dirt and grime included.”
4. Letting hair build up on your brush
If your brush bristles are home to thick lumps of hair, then you might want to devote five minutes to giving it a clean.
Amish says that allowing hair to build up on your hairbrush can turn it into a dirty haven for bacteria and dirt.
“Brushing your hair with a dirty hairbrush means reapplying all the dead skin cells, dust, fibres, oil and old styling products back onto your clean hair and scalp along with bacteria,” he adds.
Aim to remove the hair build-up every time you brush your hair and wash your hairbrush regularly to help maintain a healthy scalp and glossy locks.
To clean your brush, soak it in warm water with a squeeze of your usual shampoo and scrub it clean with a toothbrush.
Rinse it, then allow it to dry.
5. Pulling off mascara with your fingers
Whether it’s just a bad habit or a way of removing your mascara at the end of the day, there’s no good that comes from pulling your mascara off with your fingers.
“Apart from not removing your mascara completely, this practice will also damage and weaken your eyelashes,” says Amish.
“If you are doing this, you will unlikely have thought about washing your hands either, so you are massaging dirt and bacteria into your eyelashes and the remnants of your mascara.”
Exfoliation is a great way to remove dead skin cells, however, using a more aggressive exfoliating agent or being too rough in your application can result in less desirable skin issues
Amish PatelAesthetics practitioner
Plus, tugging at your eyelashes will not do the delicate skin around your eyes any favours.
It could even lead to if you do this regularly.
Amish advises: “Instead, use a gentle waterproof make-up remover, hold against your eyelashes and gently wipe your mascara away.”
6. Using spit to wipe off make-up smudges
It’s likely you’ve licked your finger and wiped under your eyes to remove any make-up smudges.
But, even as you read this, you can probably agree that it’s a pretty disgusting habit.
Amish says you’re essentially transferring bacteria from your mouth to your face.
If you’re removing make-up from around your eyes, this could even lead to an eye infection.
After your gut microbiome, your mouth's microbiome is actually the largest and most diverse.
In fact, research published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology found it contains over 700 species of bacteria!
“Dip a clean cotton bud in a little Vaseline and gently remove smudges that way,”; recommends Amish.
7. Shaving your face with a razor
Keep the razor away from your face; that’s what Amish advises.
And if you're using the same razor on your face as you do on other areas of your body, then that’s an even greater reason to stop!
“However clean your body might be when shaving, you probably use a soap or shaving cream that won't be formulated for your facial skin,” he says.
“If you suffer from conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, or acne, shaving could exacerbate irritation and discomfort.
“It may also lead to cuts, ingrown hairs or infection.
“Depending on your metabolism, stubble regrowth can reappear in hours (if you shave).”
Amish recommends other hair removal methods such as facial epilation, waxing, threading, creams and lasers.
8. Over-exfoliating your face
Regular and gentle – once or twice a week – is great.
It gets rid of dead skin cells, resulting in a smoother, even skin tone.
But you can over-exfoliate, according to Amish.
“This can create bigger issues, leading to dry, flaky, sore, peeling, red and sensitive skin,” he says.
“Exfoliation is a great way to remove dead skin cells, however, using a more aggressive exfoliating agent or being too rough in your application can result in less desirable skin issues.
“If you notice your skin feeling overly dry after exfoliation or feeling sore, your method or choice of skin care product is incorrect.”
He adds: “What suits one individual doesn't suit everyone, so always begin slowly with any changes in your skincare routine to monitor what works best for your skin type.”
9. Sleeping with your make-up on
Notoriously one of the biggest beauty sins you can make, for the sake of your skin – it’s essential to take off all make-up before bed.
Amish says: “Regularly sleeping with a full face of make-up can have a negative cumulative effect on the skin.
“Your skin is trying to repair and renew overnight while you sleep, but that layer of make-up and the day's dirt, grime and pollutants sits on the surface of your skin and interrupts your natural skin cell renewal process.”
He adds that over time, this can even lead to premature ageing of the skin.
Use a gentle cleanser to , and if possible, layer a toner, serum and moisturiser to support your skin as it renews itself overnight.
