Habit: Washing Your Hands Every Time You're Near A Sink

While being sanitary is always a good thing, there is such a thing as overdoing it. "People overwash their hands and use alcohol-based hand sanitizers way too much in some cases — they get germaphobic to an extreme," says Dr. Baxt.

What could be so bad about that? "Too much washing leaves the hands dry and cracked, and that provides an entry portal for bacteria, fungi, and viruses." Lovely. Dr. Baxt says that if you do wash a lot, make sure you moisturize every time — she suggests keeping a hand cream at your desk, in your bag, and by your sink for easy access.

"This applies to the shower, too," she cautions. "People like to scrub themselves with puffs and pads and they irritate their skin and get dry and itchy. A mild soap is fine, but focus on the dirty parts — hands, feet, groin, underarms. Scrubbing the trunk and extremities, unless you are actually dirty, isn't helpful." She also says to moisturize immediately after you get out of the shower to replenish the natural oils of the skin and maintain its barrier.

Photo: Martin Lee/Rex USA