How sleeping in mascara could make you blind and bad beauty habits
WHILE we may like to pretend that beauty is all about glowy skin and glitzy make-up, it’s time to get real.
Whether it’s nibbling nails or popping pimples, everyone’s guilty of a beauty sin from time to time.
However, if you consider yourself a repeat offender, your small sin could come with some serious repercussions.
To avoid infections and irreversible skin damage, our panel of experts explain that it’s time to kick your bad habits.
1 — SLEEPING IN MASCARA
Going to bed in eye make-up could leave your peepers in seriously bad shape.
“Removing eye make-up before you go to sleep is crucial. Any product that isn’t taken off has the potential to not only clog your pores, but also cause irritation, inflammation and infections. Inflammation around the eyelids can also lead to lash loss,” explains Dr Alexis Granite, consulting dermatologist for Kiehl’s Since 1851.
Meanwhile, particles that fall into your eyes – from glitter pigment to clumps of mascara – can even become embedded in the underside of the lid and require urgent medical attention.
Last year, one woman made headlines when her mascara lodged beneath her lids after sleeping in it for 25 years, scarring her cornea – which could in extreme cases lead to blindness.
We know how easy it is to just dive into bed when time is short, but new cleansing formulas are so effective that removing make-up can take just a couple of minutes.
Using a water/oil combination remover, such as Garnier Micellar Oil-Infused Cleansing Water, £6.99, will dissolve even the most stubborn mascaras super-quickly.
- Garnier Micellar Oil-Infused Cleansing Water, £6.99 from Superdrug —
2 — SQUEEZING SPOTS
The urge to pick an angry zit can be hard to resist, but an innocent popping sesh could scar your face for good. “Squeezing spots can interfere with the collagen production involved in the healing process following a breakout,” warns Alexis.
“If the skin produces too little collagen, this may lead to an indented acne scar, while too much can lead to a raised scar.”
Yet even though some of us are aware of the risks, it’s hard to fight the temptation.
If you really can’t resist, Alexis advises: “Once a whitehead has formed, apply a warm compress to soften the skin and then gently squeeze. If it can’t be expressed easily, leave it alone!” To reduce breakouts, apply a daily non-comedogenic treatment.
We love Kiehl’s Since 1851 Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal Concentrate, £38, which contains antimicrobial green oregano oil to fight blemish-causing bacteria.
- Kiehl’s Since 1851 Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal Concentrate, £38 from Kiehl’s —
3 — USING OLD RAZORS
Is your razor beginning to look a little worse for wear? Then you need to change it – now.
“If you’re getting more nicks than usual or feel tugging of the skin, you need to switch your blade. Not rinsing your razor after every shave will leave debris, which dulls the blade and also carries bacteria,” explains Pamela Marshall, co-founder of Mortar & Milk Skin Clinic.
Getting bacteria in a cut can lead to inflammation and infection. “I wouldn’t recommend using the same razor for more than five or six shaves,” adds Pamela.
Opting for a blade with moisturising strips, such as Gillette Venus Proskin Sensitive Razor, £10.49, will nourish the skin and minimise the risk of cuts and nicks.
- Gillette Venus Proskin Sensitive Razor, £10.49 from Boots —
4 — PULLING OUT GREYS
Signs of ageing are inevitable, but grey hairs may begin to sprout far sooner than we’d like, with 32% of British women under 30 reporting finding greys.
Before pulling those silver suckers out, though, consider a more long-term solution. “Pulling out grey hairs doesn’t mean that a new non-grey hair will grow in its place. In fact, when the hair is pulled from the root, it could never grow back at all,” says Redken artist Stephanie Ferreira.
“While plucking the odd grey might not seem like a big deal, you could end up with thinner hair or bald spots.” To cover greys, try a touch-up product such as Josh Wood Colour Blending Brush, £15.
Or simply embrace your grey locks. Using a pigmented shampoo like Redken Color Extend Graydiant Shampoo, £15.50, will not only nourish coarser greys, but also neutralise brassy tones.
- Josh Wood Colour Blending Brush, £15 from Josh Wood Colour —
- Redken Color Extend Graydiant Shampoo, £15.50 from Look Fantastic —
5 — SCRUBBING SKIN
If you’re prone to breakouts or dryness, it’s tempting to reach for a scrub or acid toner to slough away dead skin cells and clear your pores of grime. But exfoliators aren’t always the answer, especially on your face, says Pamela.
“You shouldn’t exfoliate with harsh ingredients every day. Too much causes dehydration, capillary dilation and irritates pores, which can cause spots and inflammation.”
Yet that’s not to say it isn’t necessary at all. “I see over-exfoliators in the clinic every day. The first thing I do is take away their scrubs and alpha hydroxy acids, such as glycolic and lactic acids. My go-to recommendation for all skin types are polyhydroxy acids (PHAs), which are calming antioxidants that provide gentle exfoliation,” adds Pamela.
NeoStrata Ultra Moisturising Face Cream, £32, contains 10% PHA to gently remove dead skin cells and vitamin E, providing maximum hydration.
- NeoStrata Ultra Moisturising Face Cream, £32 from Look Fantastic —
MOST READ IN FABULOUS
6 — PICKING CUTICLES
“Plucking the skin around your nails can increase the risk of paronychia, an infection of the nails that may require antibiotics,” warns OPI ambassador and celebrity nail artist Jenni Draper.
Invest in a pair of specialist skin trimmers like Elegant Touch Cuticle Nippers, £12.95, to cut away loose skin and prevent bleeding.
“Keeping your nails healthy by regularly using a cuticle oil to nourish and hydrate skin will also help stop you picking,” advises Jenni.
OPI Pro Spa Nail & Cuticle Oil, £17, contains cupuaçu butter to help restore moisture.
- Elegant Touch Cuticle Nippers, £12.95 from Boots —
- OPI Pro Spa Nail & Cuticle Oil, £17 from OPI —
Source: John Frieda
Stockists: Elegant Touch (), Garnier (), Gillette (), Josh Wood (), Kiehl’s Since 1851 (), NeoStrata (), OPI (), Redken ().