No matter your age or skin type, there are a few things that should never happen to your delicate skin. Commit one of these seven deadly skin sins, and you’ll pay the price in blemishes, wrinkles, skin cancer and more. First, if you’re a smoker, kick the habit for your health and the health of your skin. Secondhand smoke isn’t good for your skin – or those around you – due to the free radicals it releases. And the act of puckering your mouth can result in those not-so-funny laugh lines forming around your mouth and nose. Another substance that can hasten the effects of aging on your skin is alcohol. Tipping a glass of wine once in awhile does have health benefits, but if you drink more than one a day, then you’re at risk of increasing inflammatory agents in the bloodstream and cause more sagging over time. Getting those warm rays may feel good now, but the effects of a tan – and especially a sunburn – last a lifetime. Sun damage causes wrinkles, sagging and age spots…not pretty. Use at least SPF 15 when you go out, even in the winter, when snow and ice can reflect and intensify the effects of the sun’s rays. And don’t neglect your neck and chest – one of the major mistakes women make.

Use at least two teaspoon-sized globs of sunscreen to cover your face, neck and décolletage, or these areas will show the effects of sun damage later. If your complexion is a problem now, then avoid picking at blemishes to keep scarring at bay. Popping zits might seem like a good idea, but you’re really pushing bacteria deeper into the skin. And when you pop one, you may spread bacteria and cause another zit to form. Going to bed without washing your face is another way to speed breakouts. Makeup and other impurities clog pores and when you sleep, your core body temperature increases, which in turn, increases absorption of whatever’s on your skin, including dirt. If you simply can’t be roused to clean your face, then keep some waterless facial wipes in your nightstand and give your face a swipe. It’s better than nothing!