10 Biggest Face-Washing Mistakes You're Making

Washing your face seems like the least complicated part of your beauty routine, right? Turns out that some common lathering habits can cause a whole list of skin woes, including dryness, irritation, oiliness, and breakouts. Read on to learn the 10 biggest face-washing mistakes—and how fixing them can alleviate nagging skin problems.

1. Picking the wrong product

The right cleanser should completely remove dirt, makeup, and grime, but not strip away too much of your skin's natural oils or healthy cells. Find one that does the job and is neither too gentle (you have to wash twice or scrub hard to cleanse thoroughly), nor too harsh (it makes your skin red and irritated or tight after drying).

2. Overdoing it

For the most part, washing once or twice a day is good protocol but any more can irritate skin, ironically leading to an overproduction of oil. If you didn’t wear makeup, slather on sunscreen, or sweat much that day, skip the cleanser at night and try rinsing with tepid water. Giving your skin a break from the cycle of products is healthy from time to time.

3. Using the wrong water temp

Myth: hot water opens pores and cold water closes them. The reality is that pores don’t have muscles to open and close. While hot water may feel good on your skin, it can screw with your skin’s natural, protective oils and lead to over-drying or over production of sebum. Lukewarm water is the best bet to cleanse gently yet effectively.

4. Exfoliating too much

Exfoliation is a healthy practice to slough off dead skin cells, but moderation is key. Cool it on grainy exfoliants (sugar scrubs and fruit acids are a gentler pick) and stick to exfoliating 2 to 3 times per week max. Use your fingers instead of a washcloth when exfoliating to prevent pulling and tugging of the skin.

5. Not rinsing well enough

Skimping on rinsing leads to residue build-up, which can clog pores and dry out skin. Rinse thoroughly, even when you’re rushing in the morning or dog-tired at night. The jawline, hairline, and nose are the most commonly neglected spots, so show them some love!

6. Using irritating ingredients

Do your face a favor and avoid irritating ingredients such as fragrances, colorants, and synthetic preservatives such as parabens. Sodium lauryl sulfate is another one to sidestep—it’s commonly used as a surfactant to wash away debris, but is also a common cause of irritation and allergic reaction. Always read ingredient labels.

7. Towel rubbing

Pat, don’t rub. Rubbing can feel really good, but it tugs and pulls your skin, which puts your elastin at risk. And don’t just grab the nearest hand towel, used or not. Friends don’t let friends spread bacteria—especially all over a nice, clean face. Designate a clean, soft towel to blot your fresh face.

8. Waiting to moisturize

To maximize absorption and help seal in moisture, apply moisturizers immediately after cleansing while skin is still damp. The same goes for serums and special treatment products. Waiting until your skin is completely dry will make it harder for the active ingredients to sink into your skin and can cause skin to feel greasy or tacky.

9. Spending a fortune

Shelling out a small fortune for face wash may not be the most prudent purchase. Look for one with simple, natural ingredients and save your dough for products that will actually stay on your skin and offer longer-term benefits, like serums and moisturizers.

10. Fearing oils

For a long time, oils were considered skin’s pore-clogging nemesis, but the tide of opinion is changing. Experts say that all skin types can benefit from cleansing with oil, even oily and blemish-prone skin. Oil dissolves oil, after all. The right oils will cleanse pores of dirt and bacteria, and help heal and balance skin. Look for cleansing oil products with natural, plant-based oils, or you can even try a high-quality almond oil, apricot kernel oil, grapeseed oil, or sunflower oil from the grocery store. (Coconut oil and olive oil may work for some, but have been known to cause problems for others.) Simply massage the oil on your face and wipe with a soft washcloth dunked in warm water. Just be sure to wipe away the oil thoroughly to prevent residual build up and keep pores clear.

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The One Yogurt You Should Skip

Superfood? Not so fast

Yogurt’s moment as the ultimate health food is still going strong. Case in point: A recent study of more than 6,500 men and women, published in Nutrition Research, found that people who ate more than two servings of yogurt a week had better overall diets, consuming more potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and vitamins B2 and B12. They were also healthier overall, with lower levels of triglycerides and lower systolic blood pressure than those who ate yogurt less often.

Yogurt eaters also have more nutritious eating habits: The study found that they tend to consume fewer calories from processed meat, refined grains, and beer, and more produce, nuts, fish, and whole grains than yogurt-skippers.

“But even after accounting for the healthier diets of yogurt consumers, we found that eating yogurt itself leads to a healthier diet because it supplies three nutrients that many Americans don’t get enough of: potassium, calcium, and vitamin B12,” says study co-author Paul Jacques, DSc, director of the Nutritional Epidemiology Laboratory at Tufts University.

We know your grocery store is stocked to the gills with options, so here’s how to make a smart pick:

First, avoid the yogurts that are akin to “flavored milk jellos,” as registered dietitian Alexandra Caspero, owner of nutrition website Delicious-Knowledge.com, calls them. Check out the ingredient label—yogurt should basically contain cultured milk and cultures (including GI-healthy probiotics like S. Thermophilus, L. Bulgaricus, and L. Acidophilus).

Prefer Greek yogurt over the traditional kind? Either is fine. Aside from the differences in protein (per cup: over 20 grams in plain Greek versus 10 grams in regular), you’ll be getting the same nutrients and probiotics. “There’s nothing ‘magical’ about Greek yogurt, although more protein can aid in satiety,” Caspero says. Here are Caspero’s top yogurt picks:

Oikos 0% Vanilla Greek Yogurt. Yes, it’s flavored, but with organic sugar and no added colors or flavors, this is a solid pick for 170 calories and 22 grams of protein per cup.

Stonyfield Fat-Free Plain Yogurt. “With 10 grams of protein and 110 calories per cup, this is a good choice to add into smoothies, oatmeal, or cereal with a tiny drizzle of honey or maple syrup,” Caspero says.

So Delicious Dairy-Free Cultured Almond Milk Greek Style. Great for anyone who can't tolerate dairy. “Though almond milk is traditionally lower in protein, this yogurt is pumped up with pea protein for 7 grams per container and only 140 calories," Caspero says.

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MUSCLE FOODS FOR MEN

It has been said from the ancient times that a man should like a man and he should be muscular enough to be feel like a man and not boy. For this Men’s muscle foods are required along with Men’s fitness tips. Men’s muscle foods are important because there can be no growth without it. Men’s fitness tips, on the other hand, would make us able to utilize those Men’s muscle foods in order to make our bodies more healthy, stunning and muscular. Although there are number of muscular developments pills available in the market, but there can be no alternative to natural food which is actually Men’s muscle foods. Five of the major Men’s muscle foods are recommended below with their importance.

EGG:

Egg is the pure and most highly regarded as protein career among the Men’s muscle foods. It is the one who has abundant in protein and protein is what we need most in order to develop our muscles. Men’s fitness tips are incomplete without recommending the use of eggs in the daily Men’s muscle foods. Egg contains Vitamin B12 which is essential for the growth of muscles. Analysis of Men’s fitness tips have shown us that the eggs won’t create the chance of heart attack when use as Men’s muscle foods and when Men’s fitness tips are carefully observed.

ALMONDS:

Men’s muscles foods are also inclusive of almonds, the best source of Vitamin E. Men’s fitness tips have suggested that the use of almonds on daily basis would not only good for memory but also for the muscle development. Men’s muscle foods have a wide range but the few of them have a remarkable impact on the human body. Almonds are one of those Men’s muscle foods. Latest researches have shown us that the daily intake of almonds won’t increase any weight. Men’s fitness tips have rated almonds to a significant importance.

YOGURT:

Like many other natural blessings, yogurt too is a great one. If Men’s muscle foods have to be single commodity, it would have yogurt. It is an ideal combination of proteins and carbohydrates. Men’s fitness tips have strongly recommended the use of yogurt event to the normal persons who are not interested in Men’s muscle foods. It is highly useful commodity.

BEEF:

Beef can be categorically recognized as a house of proteins. Beef is required for the development of muscles and overall health. Body builders have given an important position to beef in the daily diet plan of the Men’s muscle foods. Iron and zinc rich beef material is highly important when someone is following the Men’s fitness tips. Beef should be used at least four times in a week as per the schedule of the Men’s muscle foods.

OLIVE OIL:

While developing muscles we have to take care of the breakdown of them. Men’s fitness tips suggest number of ways to deal with this problem. However, the best possible way is the use of olive oil in your daily routine. Men’s muscle foods have olive oil as an important ingredient in the making of all the dishes which are included in the category of Men’s muscle foods. When virgin olive oil is used, it would reduce the risks of health and would allow you to have a strong and muscular body. This is the reason because of which it has been essential part of the lists of Men’s fitness tips and Men’s muscle foods.

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