1. Washing your face and body before washing your hair
It may feel natural to wash your face and body first, then move on to your hair. But that order can leave conditioner residue behind on your skin.
Conditioner is designed to coat your hair with softening ingredients like oils. When you rinse it out, the water carries those ingredients over your hairline, face, neck, chest, and back. If you have already washed those areas, some of that residue can be left behind, potentially contributing to clogged pores and breakouts.
Wash and condition your hair first, then rinse thoroughly. Finish by cleansing your face and body so you remove anything that ran over your skin.
2. Using Body Care Products on Your Face
Skin covers you from head to toe, but it does not behave the same everywhere. Facial skin is generally thinner than skin on much of your body, while barrier function, oil production, and sensitivity also vary by area.
A body wash or body lotion may work well on your body but may not suit your face. Body care can contain fragrance, richer moisturizing ingredients, or a cleansing system that feels comfortable on your body but leaves facial skin irritated, tight, or congested.
Some body care products can work on facial skin, but you should not assume they will automatically be a good fit, particularly if you have sensitive skin. Check the label before using the same product everywhere. If it says face and body, it was formulated with both areas in mind. If it only says body, keep it there.
If you are looking for products made specifically for your face, use a gentle cleanser and non-comedogenic moisturizer suited to your skin type, like BASED's Daily Facial Cleanser and BASED's Daily Facial Moisturizer.
Cleanses without stripping.
Hydrates without heaviness.
3. Taking long, hot showers
Hot showers are an easy habit to fall into, especially first thing in the morning, after a workout, or at the end of a long day. The heat may feel good, but spending too long under hot water can remove some of the natural oils that help your skin hold onto moisture. This can leave it feeling dry, tight, or irritated, particularly if you have sensitive skin or eczema.
Turn the temperature down to warm and keep showers around five to ten minutes. Pat your skin dry instead of rubbing, then apply moisturizer while it is still slightly damp.
4. Never Cleaning Your Phone
Your phone moves between your hands, pockets, gym bag, desk, and other surfaces all day. Oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells can collect on your phone and end up on your face when you touch your skin. That buildup can contribute to breakouts.
Clean your phone regularly, especially after a workout. Using headphones can also help reduce how much contact it has with your face.
5. Leaving sweat on your skin after a workout
After a workout, it is easy to let sweat sit on your skin until you get home or have time to shower. Sweat can mix with oil and bacteria on your face and body, contributing to clogged pores and breakouts.
Gently cleanse your face and other sweaty areas after a workout when you can. If you can't rinse off right away, a leave-on skin spray, like our Skin Revival Spray, can help support clear skin on the go. Spray 4-6 times evenly all over your face, then let it air dry and you’re done.
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Five everyday habits that could be working against your skin, plus what to do instead:
- Wash and condition your hair before cleansing your face and body so the final wash removes any conditioner residue.
- Check the label before using body care on your face. Choose face-specific products unless the formula is made for both areas.
- Keep showers warm and around five to ten minutes, then moisturize while your skin is still slightly damp.
- Clean your phone regularly, especially after a workout, to reduce the oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells that can end up on your face.
- Cleanse your face and other sweaty areas after a workout. If you cannot rinse off right away, use a leave-on spray like BASED's Skin Revival Spray to refresh your skin on the go.