Top skincare mistakes to avoid
We all want to have glowing beautiful skin, but sometimes in our attempt to improve our skin we can actually end up doing more damage than good. There are so many products out there and skincare routines to try that we can go a little overboard. However, by being aware of the potential pitfalls, we can avoid the most common skincare mistakes.
Skincare Mistakes to Avoid:
Not Wearing Sunscreen
It makes sense to think that if the sun isn’t shining hotly, we don’t need to wear sunscreen. But protecting our skin against the sun is a daily requirement, whatever the weather. Sun protection is a great tool against aging skin. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that helps protect against UVA and UVB rays, and apply to the backs of your hands and chest as well.
Not Protecting Against the Elements
When we’re rushing out of the front door in a hurry it’s natural that we might forget to make sure our skin is properly protected from the weather. But by taking a few seconds to slick on some SPF moisturiser and lip balm, you’ll be adding a barrier to help protect your skin. Petroleum jelly is an ideal barrier to lock in moisture, but what about petroleum jelly side effects? There are no known common petroleum jelly side effects, so you needn’t be concerned about petroleum jelly dangers.
Exfoliating Too Much
Exfoliating is an effective way to remove dry skin cells, but do it too often and you’ll actually be damaging your skin’s protective barrier. All those cells and lipids in that moisture barrier help protect your skin against pollution and sun damage, both of which can cause aging. The skin underneath is more vulnerable to the elements. By all means continue to exfoliate, but limit it to once a week to start with, building up to a couple of times a week maximum.
Introducing Too Many New Products at Once
On the subject of building up your skincare routine, a slow approach is best when it comes to trying new products. It’s tempting to completely overhaul your regime when new products come to market, but if you introduce them all at once you won’t know what’s working and what isn’t. Add new products one at a time and use for at least a week before you bring another one into the mix.
Using dirty tools
We pay attention to keeping our skin clean, but what about the tools that we use in our skincare and makeup routine? It’s all too easy to forget to clean your makeup brushes and sponges regularly, but they can hold onto a huge amount of dirt and bacteria. Aim to wash them at least once a week – mix a couple of drops of cleanser into warm water, thoroughly clean them in the mixture, pat dry and then leave them to air dry.
Popping Spots
We’ve all been tempted to pop a pimple, but it’s never a good idea to squeeze your spots. Trained dermatologists know how to properly drain a pimple, but us amateurs should avoid DIY attempts. It can cause infections to go down even deeper into the pores. If you see a spot that looks ready to pop, simply use a fresh washcloth to clean your face.
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