5 Good Habits for Healthy Skin (& 5 Habits to Ditch)

Skincare routines go a long way in creating healthy skin, but lifestyle choices can greatly impact your skin health. You could have the most robust skincare products, but you could sabotage your efforts with bad habits. 

So, what are some good habits for healthy skin? What habits should you leave behind in 2023? We'll tell you some research-backed habits for healthy skin and some habits you should ditch. 

5 Habits for Healthy Skin

It seems like this advice is everywhere, and there’s a good reason for it. Broad-spectrum SPF is one of the best tools for keeping your skin healthy, youthful, and protected. Research shows that even after just one year of using daily SPF improves photoaging and, “skin clarity and texture.” 

Sunscreen should be applied every day, not just on days you're in direct sunlight. The key is finding one that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Our Honest Sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays and has a pH of 5.5 to prevent damage to your skin’s acid mantle and skin barrier.

Lack of hydration will undermine your other healthy habits for good skin. Proper hydration is necessary to keep a plump appearance. 

The recommended daily water intake for proper health is around, “[~12 cups] for men and [~9 cups] for women.”

Quality Sleep

This one feels like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how few people follow this one. Focusing on your sleep health can do wonders for your skin. Studies show, “chronic poor sleep quality is associated with increased signs of intrinsic ageing, diminished skin barrier function and lower satisfaction with appearance.”
 
Try setting a clear bedtime for yourself, avoid blue light screens an hour before, and use light-blocking blinds in your bedroom. 

Stress Management
Stress is normal, but too much can impact your life, health, and skin. Excessive stress has been linked to inflammation which can cause skin issues like acne, among other skin disorders. 
 
Stress management tools (e.g., aromatherapy, yoga, low-impact exercise, etc.) can help ease stress, especially in the long term.

Proper nutrition is crucial for maintaining a youthful appearance. Vitamins and minerals play a big part in our skin health, while sugar and processed foods can trigger skin disorders like acne. Studies show that whole-food, plant-based diets can even help with the appearance of aging.  

Food habits for healthy skin:
plant-rich diet
omega-3-dense foods
antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables
Avoid sugar and processed foods as often as possible. 

5 Bad Skin Habits to Ditch 

Here is a list of habits to avoid in 2023: 

Smoking – Smoking, among other dangerous health issues, can impact your skin’s appearance dramatically. Quitting and avoiding is one of the best things you can do for your skin health. 

Excessive Screen Time – Blue light can cause strain on your eyes, which can result in more fine lines around your eyes. Give your eyes a break when you can, and use the night shift feature on your devices. 

Excessive Alcohol – Alcohol dehydrates, bloats, and dulls your skin. Moderate consumption is okay, but it’s best to limit for both your physical health and skin health. 

Hot Water – Using hot water on your skin can cause dryness and a damaged skin barrier. Using lukewarm or cool water on your skin will help preserve hydration and elasticity. 

Inconsistent Skincare Routine – This is a big one. Changing out your products too frequently and not sticking to your routine can ruin your efforts. Stick to just a few quality products and give it some time before making changes.