Do you feel extra conscious about your skin? You have a 5-step daily routine, and you spend a considerable amount of time choosing your products.
And yet, your skin is still not the way you hoped: It feels dry, and the fine lines are still as visible as before. At the end of the day, you are just out of a considerable amount of money without noticing any real benefits.
Luckily, there is an answer to your problem! By doing constant research about new products and trends, you might have forgotten to pay attention to some of the most basic skincare rules.
In this article, we are going to cover 5 common skincare mistakes most people make, and why they can be problematic.
1. Using Facial Wipes as Your Go-To Cleanser
Facial wipes can be convenient, and they come in handy especially when you’re traveling or you’re out of your house for most of the day.
However, you should not be relying on wipes as your everyday cleanser.
No matter what commercials say, the wipes will not clean your face thoroughly.
Not only that; constant use of facial wipes can lead to irritation and breakouts over your face: they often leave a residual oil on your skin, which can lead to clogged pores.
Another reason you shouldn’t use facial wipes in your skincare routine is that they can lead to the creation of wrinkles and fine lines, due to the constant contact and skin rubbing.
We are not saying you can never use facial wipes. It is a good idea to have a pack within your purse just in case.
Yet, you should substitute their everyday use for double-cleansing and washing your face with water.
2. Using SPF Only in the Summer Months
You probably know you should never leave your house without sunscreen on your face during the day. In addition to protecting our skin from premature aging, the SPF factor also protects our skin from UVA/UVB rays, reduces the chance of skin cancer, and gives our skin hydration and a natural glow.
However, most people think it’s enough to only use sunscreen in the summer months.
This is a big misconception, and while sun exposure is higher in these months, you should not underestimate the damage that can be done to your skin during the winter months as well.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you should never leave your house without sunscreen, no matter the weather outside. Water, snow, and sand reflect sun rays and can make skin extra sensitive.
Make sure you use SPF during the day, no matter what time of year it is. If you are wearing makeup, you must wear sunscreen underneath.
We know it sounds inconvenient, but luckily, plenty of skincare products are available that already contain SPF.
Take a look at the level of protection SPF can give you:
- SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays
- SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays
- SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays
Make sure that you are using SPF over 30.
3. Using Your Skincare Products on Your Face Only
Do you spend extra time pampering your face, and then stop at the jawline?
This is a very big – and very common mistake!
According to Beverly Hills MD, neck, and décolletage are among the first areas that show signs of aging skin.
If you keep spending all your time taking care of your face only, there will be a noticeable difference between your face and neck.
If you have been making this mistake, it is time to fix the damage!
Make sure you apply your serum, moisturizer, and day/night cream to your face, neck, and décolletage area in equal amounts.
In addition to this, you must apply sunscreen to all these areas all year long.
P.S. Don’t forget your hands, too!
4. Allowing Your Skin to Dry Before Moisturizing
Leaving your skin to dry after washing it can add to its dryness and itchiness.
You should apply your moisturizer while your skin is still wet to lock the moisture inside of your skin.
In addition to stopping the skin from drying out, skincare products can be extra effective if applied to wet skin.
You should apply your serum, eye cream, and moisturizer/night cream while your skin is still wet. This will help them penetrate the skin barrier and hydrate your skin from inside.
5. Having Identical Nighttime and Morning Skincare Routine
This is a common mistake due to many people’s fears that different routines will cost them a lot of money or energy.
While it’s true that you should have some extra products for your nighttime routine, this doesn’t mean you need to get a whole new line of products.
The most important thing to remember is to categorize your products by night and day.
Here are some key things to remember:
- You shouldn’t use retinol in your morning routine. According to the National Library of Medicine, retinol can become unstable when exposed to light and high temperatures. That’s why you should use it at night only.
- Use your protective products, such as sunscreen and antioxidant serums in the daytime to protect you from free radicals, UV, and other harsh elements.
- Make sure to double cleanse at night to make sure you remove all the makeup and residual oils from your skin.
In addition to this, some skincare ingredients shouldn’t be mixed. Having a different morning and nighttime routine will allow you to use these ingredients without getting a negative side effect.
These are some of the common mistakes that can easily be overlooked but can also do great damage to your skin.
If you’ve been making these mistakes, don’t worry, it is not late to fix them!
Make sure you follow the guidelines described in this post. Give your skin extra care and it will pay you back.
P.S. Don’t forget to check out our blog post on 4 Key Ingredients for Healthy and Smooth Skin!
Give your skin the royal treatment it deserves!
