New research from iSelect reveals that despite rising awareness around health and wellbeing, many Australians are clinging to habits that may be doing more harm than good—especially when it comes to their appearance.
In a survey of 1,000 Australians, over half (54.5%) admitted they wouldn’t give up coffee, while 35.2% cited alcohol and sugary foods as vices they’re unwilling to quit. And while some habits are relatively benign, others—like tanning and poor sleep—have clear implications for skin health and premature ageing.
Tanning, including sun exposure and solarium use, remains popular among younger Australians, with 20.5% of 18-24-year-olds admitting they still do it, despite its well-known links to skin cancer and ageing. Overall, 7.8% of respondents said they wouldn’t give up tanning—8.7% of women and 6.7% of men.
Poor sleep was another key concern, with 14.6% of Australians reporting chronic late nights. Unsurprisingly, younger respondents were more affected: nearly one in five (19.6%) 18-24-year-olds reported staying up late, compared to 16.4% of those aged 45-54.
The data also highlighted gender-based differences. Women were more likely to struggle with online shopping (18.4% vs 8.6%) and tanning, while men outpaced women in alcohol and fast-food consumption.
Andres Gutierrez, General Manager – Health at iSelect, warns that many of these habits impact more than just general wellbeing. “While most Aussies understand that tanning can cause skin cancer, its impact on premature aging, including wrinkles, sunspots, and leathery skin, is often ignored. From our research, 20.5% of 18-24 year olds are overlooking the health risks around sun exposure and tanning beds. Even ‘innocent’ habits such as staying up late or consuming sugary foods can contribute to skin issues like acne, dark circles and dull skin.”
Gutierrez also flagged doomscrolling as a surprising but growing issue, with 16.3% of Australians unwilling to give up excessive screen time. “Prolonged scrolling can contribute to ‘tech neck’—premature neck wrinkles and poor posture,” he said.
While breaking habits isn’t easy, Gutierrez recommends small preventative steps like daily sunscreen use, improved posture, and regular screen breaks.
Read the AUTUMN ’25 issue of Retail Beauty below:
- For more news and updates, subscribe to our weekly newsletter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Like us on Facebook
- Connect with us on LinkedIn