Perfect skin is the holy grail, with many people doing all they can achieve it. You may think you take good care of your skin, but are you sure you’re doing it right? Chances are you’ve picked up a few bad habits that are keeping you from looking your very best. Here are seven skincare mistakes you’re probably making.
Over-exfoliating with harsh scrubs
Over-exfoliating is one of the worst things you can do to your skin. Your skin has a natural barrier which protects it and helps it to maintain moisture. Whilst using a scrub might make your skin feel soft the first couple of times, using them regularly can damage the outer layer, leaving it feeling sore and irritated. Exfoliating can even cause tiny tears in the skin. Rather than using a harsh scrub to exfoliate, try using a chemical exfoliant which is made with acids like AHA and/or BHA.
Cleansing too often
Many people think that washing their face as often as possible will lessen their chances of getting spots. However, usually, that’s not the case. Cleansing your face constantly is bad for your skin, with the soap stripping oil from the skin. This leads to more oil being released and the development of clogged pores, blackheads, and whiteheads. You shouldn’t be cleaning more than twice a day.
Choosing the wrong products for your skin type
With so many skincare products on the market, it can be so tempting to experiment with all of them. However, not all products will be suitable for your skin type, and some can irritate or even damage your skin. If your skin is dry, it’s best to choose products that provide extra moisture. If you struggle with breakouts, look for products which contain acne-fighting ingredients, including salicylic acid. People with sensitive skin should choose gentle products which don’t contain any harsh irritants or fragrances.
Going to bed with makeup on
Anyone who wears makeup has done it at least once! But going to bed with your makeup still on won’t do your skin any favours. Makeup blocks the oil and sweat glands, and this can lead to your pores becoming clogged overnight. Sleeping in mascara or other eye makeup like eyeshadow can also cause issues, even potentially ending up inside your eyes as you snooze. This can cause conditions like conjunctivitis or eyelid dermatitis.
Putting essential oils on your face
Essential oils can bring many benefits, from reducing stress and anxiety to alleviating migraine pain, However, it’s best to avoid putting them directly onto your skin. Essential oils are very concentrated and can sometimes cause the skin to react badly. They may be natural, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re good for the skin. If rash or irritation occurs, it’s best to avoid them.
Skipping sunscreen
Did you know that your skin needs sunscreen every day? Sunscreen is required not just when it’s sunny, but when it’s cloudy, pouring down, and even snowing! Exposing your skin to the sun can lead to sunspots and skin damage, leading it to look aged before its time. Skin cancer can also result in the worst cases. Using a daily moisturiser which contains SPF 30 sunscreen will help your skin combat the harmful effects of the sun.
Using sunbeds
Sunbeds can be even worse for your skin that forgetting your sunscreen. Like the sun, sunbeds emit UV rays which can cause damage to the DNA in your skin’s cells. Over time, this may not only cause the skin to look prematurely aged but could even cause malignant melanoma, which is the most deadly type of skin cancer.
You might think that achieving the perfect skin is impossible. But, once you’ve identified which skincare skins you’ve been committing, you can start taking better care of your skin and putting your best face forward.