Expert: 5 worst skin habits to avoid

PHOENIX - Having clear skin is something that everyone wants and keeping your skin healthy can be tricky; but it doesn't have to be.

According to Dermatologist Dr. Jennifer Linder, many people follow bad skin care regimens. These poor habits contribute to problems from oily to dry skin and can easily be remedied.

Dr. Linder's Five Worst Skin Habits:

1. Lack of Moisturizer

"While people with oily skin think that a moisturizer will make the skin more oily, Linder says that is not the case. In fact the opposite is true. If you have oily skin and don't use a moisturizer your skin will actually get oilier. This happens because when you wash your face it gets rid of all the oils on your face; some oil is good even if you have oily skin. If you remove too much oil, your body will produce extra, ultimately making your skin a lot oilier. Stick to a daily moisturizer made for people with oily skin and you will see great results.

2. Popping Pimples

It is common for people to want to get rid of nasty black and white heads, but popping pimples at home is not the way to go, Linder says. When you pop a blemish at home, you risk getting the bacteria from your finger into your skin, and even worse you can cause the bacteria in the pimple to go into deeper levels of the skin, causing more problems in the future. If you want to pop a pimple, go to a professional where they can give you the best treatment to eliminate the cause of the blemish and keep it gone.

3. Aggressive Treatment

According to Dr. Linder," Inflammation is the cause of many of the skin conditions that we are all trying to treat. Over-treating your own skin at home with peels and overly aggressive products will typically make skin worse, not better." She says consult a doctor and find the best treatment for you.

4. Not using a daily SPF

Now being in Arizona where the sun scorches almost 365 days out the year should be enough reason for you to apply a daily SPF, but even if you didn't live in a climate like this it is important to wear a daily SPF. Linden says that UV rays are the main cause of aging and skin cancer so it is important to apply a daily sunscreen even if you are not going to be in the sun along time or if it is not even sunny, It is crucial to protect yourself.

5. The use of tanning beds

Dr. Linden says you should never use a tanning bed and if you do stop! Beds are mostly composed of UV rays and that exposure causes ageing and skin cancer. It is like you are baking in a cancer bed and asking for wrinkles. Sacrificing your future health for a healthy tan that won't last forever is not the way to go.

It is important to take care of yourself and realize what bad habits you have with skin care. Once you realize the truth about skincare you can pave the way to the skin of your dreams and a healthier you! "