When it comes to the do’s and don’ts of skin habits, we all know the main ones to avoid; sleeping in your makeup, excessive sun exposure and drinking alcohol.

But there are a few surprising, everyday habits you may not have thought of that can wreak havoc on your skin. Find out what they are below to make sure you’re skin’s not suffering without you knowing!

You’re a stomach or side sleeper
Surprisingly, the position you sleep in can have huge effects on your skin’s appearance. When you’re lying on your stomach and your face is nestled deep into the pillow, you’re putting extra tension on your face which can lead to premature fine lines and wrinkles, particularly on your forehead.  Sleeping on your side isn’t much better, as this extra pressure can create lines on the side of your face. Try adjust your sleeping position to your back and make an effort to correct yourself if you feel yourself moving to the side or front position.

You sleep with your hair down
We know it feels good to let your hair down at the end of the day, but taking this little habit to bed is not so good for your skin. Our hair is filled with bacteria and oils from throughout the day, especially if we’re heavy hair product and perfumes users. Sleeping with our hair down means it is rubbing against our skin all night, spreading bacteria around and increasing our risk of breakouts and congested skin. Remember to tie your hair up and away from your face before bed.

Talking on the phone regularly
In this day and age, we always seem to be on our phones, but ask yourself this the next time you go to make a call: When’s the last time you cleaned your phone? Our phones collect bacteria, oil and dirt from regular use, making us more prone to breakouts when we press the phone against our face. Make sure you’re giving your mobile and work phone a good clean once a week with a face wipe to keep your skin clean and clear.

You like your showers piping hot and long
We agree – nothing feels better than a hot shower before bed on a chilly night! But this common comfort can be detrimental to our skin. Extreme temperatures can interfere with the natural balance of your skin and cause dehydration leading to dry, dull and flaky skin. To avoid stripping moisture from your skin have your showers at a warm temperature and keep them to around 5-10 minutes.

*This article is brought to you by Caci. If you have any skin concerns, take the Caci Skin Quiz to see which treatment is best for you.