
I sit at my computer all day, presumably like you do, and I touch my face. YES I KNOW IT'S A CARDINAL SIN. I've heard before that it can cause the breakouts I'm so annoyed by, and is generally pretty gross, but sometimes I can't help it. Sometimes it just feels natural.
What I need is a scare tactic to get me to stop. (It's what we all need, if we're being honest with ourselves.) So, on my never-ending quest to achieve perfect skin, I reached out to Dermatology Partners founder Dr. Ruth Tedaldi for a little tough love. Here's what I learned.
1. Touching leads to picking, which leads to scarring. "When you're touching your face, there is a tendency to scan for irregularities and then a compulsion to pop or pick at anything undesirable. By picking at blemishes, you run a very high risk of worsening it. You can even cause acne scarring, which carries lifelong damage that can only be treated with special remedies like Bellafill."
2. It can cause acne breakouts. "As reported by the US National Institutes of Health, people touch their faces an average of 3.6 times per hour. Our hands come in contact with millions of germs via smartphones, doorknobs, shoelaces, and more. Don't let these germs make it to your face, as this can lead to an unwanted acne breakout."
3. You can catch the flu. "One of the best ways to prevent catching a virus, such as the flu, is to not touch your face. Your hands may be laden with influenza, but if you're not touching your eyes, nose and lips, you are not transmitting the virus to yourself."
4. We're wasting too much time obsessing. "Women are known to stand in front of a mirror for long stretches of time assessing their skin. This is when temptation grows, willpower dwindles, and you begin to touch, pop. and scratch. Avoid lengthy bathroom routines and try to keep it short and to the point. This will not only free up more time, but it will help ensure your skin doesn't look aggravated as you head out the door."
You should also check out:
The 8 Worst Things You Can Do to Your Skin
Forget a Facialist: All You Need for Flawless Skin Are These 8 Foods
10 Ways to Wake Up Prettier Than You Went to Sleep
Why the Same Pimple Keeps Rearing Its Ugly Head on Your Face Over and Over Again
Lauren is the former beauty editor at Marie Claire. She love to while away the hours at coffee shops, hunt for vintage clothes, and bask in the rough-and-tumble beauty of NYC. She firmly believes that solitude can be a luxury if you’ve got the right soundtrack—that being the Rolling Stones, of course.
-
British Journalist Claims Meghan Markle Is Partying a Lot in L.A.—Solo
“Strangely, she tends to leave Harry at home.”
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Meghan Markle Bought Princess Lilibet a £5,000 Gift Six Years Before She Was Born
She’s probably not getting it for her birthday today, though.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Princess Lilibet Turns Two Today, Will Celebrate With a “Celeb-Packed” Party and Hopefully a Video Call from King Charles
For her first birthday last year, the Sussex family were in the U.K. for the Platinum Jubilee.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
The 20 Best Hair Masks for Damaged Hair, According to Experts and Editors
Healthy strands, here we come!
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
How Often You Should Wash Your Hair, According To Experts
Keep it fresh, my friends.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
The 11 Best Magnetic Lashes of 2023
Go ahead and kiss your messy lash glue goodbye.
By Hana Hong
-
The 30 Best Hair Growth Shampoos of 2023, According to Experts
Rapunzel hair, coming right up.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
The 23 Best Beauty Advent Calendars of 2023
The gift that keeps on giving—literally.
By Julia Marzovilla
-
The 18 Best Natural Hair Products in 2023
Remember: Your curls are your crown.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
The 9 Best Hot Rollers for the Curls of Your Dreams
This is how we roll.
By Samantha Holender
-
The 12 Best Cream Eyeshadows, According to Makeup Artists
The best part? They’re so easy to apply.
By Samantha Holender