Achieving soft smooth skin is more than just finding the right face cream. Lifestyle habits can have a huge effect on our skin resulting in wrinkles, pimples, and other skin concerns. These bad habits may also limit or render our skincare products ineffective. Before you spend hundreds of dollars on skincare products, you might want to ensure you've banished these bad habits from your routine. Read below on how to get amazing skin naturally.

Wear Sunscreen 

Yes there are benefits to soaking up the sun, like getting the vitamin D our body needs, but that isn't without some downsides. The sun's harmful rays plays a huge role in aging the skin, and causing redness.  Sunscreen is therefore necessary whenever you head out. You can apply sunscreen before or after your moisturizer, then apply your foundation. If you often forget, try using a foundation or a primer that has added sun protection. SPF 15 is usually standard, although depending on your skin concerns, you may have to go higher.

Use A Separate Towel For Your Face

Since towels are often damp, they're a haven for bacteria, bacteria that can eventually make it onto your face. Using the same towel for your face that you use on your body is a recipe for breakouts. Always use a separate towel for your face and body. A hand towel usually gets the job done, so you won't need an extra bath towel.

Applying Skincare Products Properly

Depending on how you apply your skincare products, you could be putting additional stress on your skin. Wiping and pulling on your skin when applying beauty creams, stretches the skin which can lead to sagging and wrinkles. When applying products it's best to warm products by rubbing the cream between the palm of your hands,  then pat the product onto your face. This ensures the product will actually be absorbed and the skin doesn't get pulled.

Remove Your Makeup

Look I get it, sometimes you come in after a long day and you simply don't have the strength to change clothes let alone remove your makeup. Constantly leaving makeup on overnight, however, can cause clogged pores and breakouts. Use a makeup remover such as micellar water or an oil based cleanser to wash away and break down makeup. Follow up with a foaming cleanser and a toner to ensure nothing gets left behind.

 Drink Water

I'm sure you've heard this a 1000 times but beautiful skin does start from within. There is no cream on earth that can repair skin that isn't properly hydrated. Try to drink at least eight 8oz glasses of water daily. For those who aren't a huge fan of water, consider getting an infuser and checking out some flavored water recipes online.

 Wash Makeup Tools

Makeup brushes are breeding grounds for bacteria, bacteria that is then applied and reapplied to your face. Makeup tools should be washed at least once weekly. The longest anyone should be going without cleaning makeup tools is two weeks. Makeup sponges are especially susceptible, and should be thoroughly washed once weekly.

Are there any other skincare rules that should be mentioned? Tell us in the comments below!