5 good skin habits your mother should’ve told you about

By Andrea Claire for Yahoo! Singapore

They say a habit – good or bad – is formed after 30 days. Your skin’s glow and (and your money!) can be saved if you get into these 5 daily good skin practices now. When you are older, it will be too late. Your mum can’t turn back the clock but you can certainly slow yours down and be on the road to looking fabulous before you can say “Joan Rivers” or be addressed as “Auntie” way before your time.

Habit #1: Wash off all your makeup at night no matter what.
This will save you from: “Microdermabrasion” – pores that are not properly cleansed of impurities will dull and stretch becoming larger, therefore prematurely showing signs of ageing.

Habit #2:  Drink water every day.
This will save you from: Injectable fillers (like Restylane). Skin remains hydrated and retains elasticity, resulting in supple youthful appearance.

Habit #3: Hands off! Don’t pick and poke.
This will save you from: Facial scars (and scar treatments). Your mother is right; keep your hands off your face! For extreme acneaic (or acne-prone) skin, consult a doctor and get on a proper skin regimen to clear up your skin.

Habit #4: Not just moisturise – but moisturise correctly for your age
This will save you from: Facial peels or Botox. Not using proper skincare may result in wrinkles earlier than you expect. Every 2-3 years, you may need to change your routine based on hormones, lifestyle and wellness. It’s vital you re-evaluate your skincare regimen and the products you use at each decade of your life (20s, 30s, 40s, etc).

Habit #5: Sunscreen
This will save you from: Laser or whitening treatments. There really is no excuse not to put on sunscreen. Aside from pigmentation and age spots, the risk of skin cancer is heightened without the use of sunscreen.

Andrea Claire is a top hair and makeup artist who’s worked with several international celebrities. Check out her blog at http://www.andreaclaire.onsugar.com