1. Skipping Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen

The best way to keep your skin from getting wrinkled, saggy, and speckled is by using sunscreen. Broad-spectrum formulas – those that shield against UVA and UVB rays – with Mexoryl® or Helioplex® offer long-lasting protection. For days when you’re outside, reapply every two hours. We know it’s a pain, but apply regularly and you’ll get the last laugh instead of the first laugh lines.

2. Smoking

Like you need another reason to quit? Seriously, it’s time. By smoking you’ll not only damage your health, but you’ll develop deep wrinkles and blotchier skin tone. In fact, every decade of smoking makes you look older by 2.5 years.

4. Ignoring Your Neck and Chest

Skin care doesn’t stop at your jaw line. The next time you apply serum, face cream, sunscreen, or give yourself an exfoliating treatment, extend everything down to your décolletage.

5. Overlooking Moles

A study conducted by the National Cancer Institute showed that fifty percent more melanoma cases occurred in women ages 15 to 39 in 2004 than in 1980. What is the lesson here? Everyone needs to get a mole screening with a dermatologist once a year, and you should also check yourself every month, remembering to examine less obvious places such as your scalp, the soles of your feet and under your nails.

6. Staying Up Late

Sleep deprivation causes stress, which can aggravate all skin conditions, including acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Sleep is the time when your body repairs the damage from the day, and interrupting that process will slow down cell turnover.

7. Not Washing Your Face at Night

Letting skin marinate in makeup, not to mention a day’s worth of oil buildup, can lead to clogged pores and zits. Your body temperature increases slightly when you sleep, which can enhance absorption of all the impurities on the surface.

8. Eating Junk Food

A recent study found that people who replaced processed carbs with high-protein foods and whole grains broke out less. Cut the junk and you could see an improvement in acne in about six weeks. Instead of chips, reach for snacks like peanut butter, nuts, and avocado – these healthy fats provide nutrients for the hair, skin, and nails.

9. Popping Zits

We know. It’s tempting. But squeezing a pimple pushes bacteria deeper into the pores, causing inflammation, infection, and scarring – almost doubling the zit’s life span.

Therefore, use spot treatment with no more than 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide at night, and reapply it to major zits in the morning. For persistent acne, a prescription retinoid, such as Retin-A, helps prevent blocked pores and will eliminate acne.

10. Tanning

You may use bronzers or self-tanners.   Any pigment change from UVA or UVB light can cause premature aging and increase the likelihood of skin cancer. Tanning beds can be even worse, since they emit concentrated UVA light, which penetrates deeper than the combination of UVA/UVB rays found in sunlight.