10 Common Skincare Mistakes
Your face is one of the most vital parts of your body. You use your face to communicate, to breathe, to read, to watch, to eat, to smell, and more. That is why taking care of the skin on your face is so important. Here are 10 common skincare mistakes you might be making.
Not moisturizing right away
Many people, especially men, tend to skip this step in their skincare routine. Any time your face has gotten wet, it is important to moisturize right away. This can include after showering, washing your face, or even after swimming. Allowing your face to dry up and become stiff after it has been wet will cause any healthy moisture to escape. Instead, you should dry your face last. Pat your face dry with a clean towel and immediately apply a creamy and oil-free moisturizer. A light or thin moisturizer will not be as effective.
Not wearing sunscreen
UV rays from the sun are probably the most damaging thing to skin. They have been known to cause skin cancer, premature wrinkling, redness, freckles, and sunspots. If you are hoping to avoid any of these effects, wear sunscreen daily. The recommended SPF is 30. Anything under SPF 15 will not protect you from the sun. for your face, apply an oil-free sunscreen underneath your makeup.
Exfoliating too often
Exfoliating can be great for your skin. It helps remove dead skin cells that have been building up over time. However, exfoliating your skin too often can cause damage. It can lead to dehydration, flaky skin, and red pigmentation.
Related article: Benefits of Collagen
Picking at cysts
Almost everyone has heard you should avoid picking at your zits. Whiteheads should be carefully pooped when they are ready. However, you should keep your hands away from cysts. They should be treated with care. Keep the area clean and place a warm washcloth on them multiple times a day for at least 20 minutes. If needed, have them removed by a dermatologist.
Wearing makeup to bed
It is so tempting to get home from a long day and go straight to bed. Do not do this! No matter how tired you are, take the time to finish your skincare routine every night. Make sure that all makeup has been carefully removed before gently cleansing your face. Finish with face toner and an oil-free moisturizer. There are many other steps you can take as well such as face masks.
Not washing your bedding weekly
Throughout the week, our bedding accumulates dirt, oil, and dust. If left there long enough, they can transfer to our skin. This can lead to breakouts. To keep your skin clean while you sleep, wash your bedding at least once a week. You may even want to consider washing your pillowcase more often or switching it out with a fresh one.
Unhealthy diet
The condition of our skin does not just depend on what we do on the outside, but also on the inside. A well-balanced diet and water can help give our skin a better chance of achieving a healthy glow. To help, make sure your body is getting the right amounts of vitamins and minerals. A daily multivitamin can even help supplement your healthy diet. Make sure your body is also getting enough collagen, which is an important protein for healthy skin.
Hot showers
While a nice hot shower feels great, it is hurting your skin more than it is helping. The hot water can strip your skin of moisture, leaving it dry, red, and inflamed. Instead, switch to a lukewarm shower.
Not using a proper skin toner
Another commonly skipped step is applying face toner in between washing and moisturizing. Toner helps remove any left-over dirt, oil, and makeup that your face wash was unable to get. If a quality toner is used correctly, it can improve the tone of your skin. However, be careful with toners that contain alcohol. They may help kill bacteria that cause acne, but they can also strip your face of the moisture it needs.
Related article: Can the Light from Screens Harm Your Skin?
Touching your face
Finally, do not touch your face. Keeping your skin clean and healthy can be a lot of hard work. However, your hard work can go to waste if you cannot keep your hands away from your face. This is because our hands are covered in oils and dirt from all the things we touch throughout the day.
Avoiding these 10 common skincare mistakes can help give your skin its best chance. Start cutting these out of your life today and form healthy habits. You may not notice results right away, but one day your skin will thank you.
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