A good skincare routine is essential for us to look and feel our best. There are many common issues that can be caused by incorrect use of skincare products, from dry or oily skin to acne. It can be challenging to know how to apply different skincare products and the best way to care for our skin for the most effective results. There is such a lot of information about caring for our skin that it can get overwhelming to keep up.
If you’re not sure if you’re doing the best you can with your skincare, then you’re not alone. Read on for some of the most common mistakes we make and what you should be doing instead.
Going To Sleep With Makeup On
This is one that we’re almost all guilty of at one point or another. While occasionally going to bed without thoroughly removing your makeup won’t do too much damage, it is essential not to let it become a habit. Sleeping in makeup can cause breakouts, with the makeup clogging pores and speeding up the ageing process of the skin.
Instead, you should gently but thoroughly remove all traces of makeup before you go to bed. Eye makeup, in particular, can cause issues such as eye irritation if left on overnight. You should use eye makeup specific remover, using a cotton pad to allow the makeup remover to soak in before gently wiping away.
Over-Applying Product
Many people are guilty of this one! It can often be tempting to slather on the product, particularly if you’ve noticed a breakout or are feeling more dry or oily than usual. Most skincare products for the face only require around a pea-sized amount to cover the whole face. Over applying can actually cause the breakouts, dry or oily skin that you’re trying to avoid. If in doubt, read the label and try to stick to the amount recommended.
Using Hot Water
Hot water is bad news for our skin. It can strip away the natural oils and leave our skin dry and sore. It can also be an irritant for the delicate, sensitive areas of the face, such as around the eyes. It is better to shower and wash using lukewarm water to best protect the essential natural oils that keep our skin healthy.
Focusing Only On The Face
Skincare should be about the entire body and not just the face. It is also important to have completely separate processes for the face compared to the rest of the body. Each part of your body has different skincare needs, so you should ensure that you have products to suit every area.
For instance, acne is a skin complaint that isn’t limited to the face. Many people suffer from acne in all different areas of the body. If this is the case, you will need specialist products that will suit each area of the body well. Take a look at this article from Chemist Click on the types of body acne for more advice.
Skipping The SPF
You should wear SPF all year round. Sun damage can occur at any time, though the effects are more severe over the warmer summer months. It is also important to note that you should be wearing SPF even if you’re spending most of your time indoors. You could use skincare or makeup products that include SPF, but it is often better to use sunscreen itself to get the best results.
You should remember to apply SPF to all areas of the body exposed to sunlight and reapply throughout the day. An SPF of over 15 is most often recommended, though many beauty lovers won’t leave the house without at least SPF50.
Many individuals make the mistake of thinking that they do not sunscreen during the winters. This is a serious mistake. To ensure that your skin care regimen is not affected during winters, you need to keep applying and reapplying sunscreen every time you step out of your house. Depending on the intensity of the sun and your skin type, you should choose sunscreen from a reputed brand.
Eating A Healthy Balanced Diet
The food we eat can make a massive impact on the health of our skin. Anyone who has eaten a greasy takeaway or overindulged in sweet treats and experienced a breakout the next day will know the importance of healthy eating on our skin. That’s not to say you have to banish all junk food from your diet forever; just ensure that you save it for an occasional treat.
You should aim to eat a balanced diet containing all the fruit, veg and nutrients your body and skin needs to be healthy. Drinking enough water is also crucial to keep your skin clear and radiant.
Switching Your Products Too Frequently
It can be tempting to follow the latest trends in skincare, especially when we’re bombarded with images of actresses and models looking fresh and dewy-skinned advertising the latest big brand products. It is vital to know, however, that any skincare product takes time to work. You won’t see results overnight using any skincare product.
It can help to give your products at least a month’s use before you change it up, and more if possible. This gives the product a chance to affect the top layers of the skin and for you to see results.