Skincare is all about taking care of your skin as much as you can to keep your skin at its best. However, to do effective skincare, it’s crucial that you know what your skin needs and the best practices to employ. After all, simple mistakes like eating excess sugar, pimple popping, or basking under the sun unprotected can end you up with zit, irritated tissues, or uneven skin. To help you stay away from practices that may take a toll on your skin, we’ve curated a list of eight skincare mistakes to take note of and avoid. Let’s read on!
1. Using products containing harmful chemicals.
Many skincare products have underlying ingredients such as sulfates, silicones, parabens, phenoxyethanol, and more which can result in skin irritation, get absorbed through the skin, clog your pores, and cause other worse skin-threatening conditions.
Remember to look for products that are genuinely natural by scanning through their ingredients. Be wary though, as some products have a “natural” label but still contain harmful synthetic ingredients and aren’t generally safe. It may help to opt for products that are vegan, toxin-free, and dermatologically tested. Even if not directly applied to your skin, choose also cruelty-free hair products.
2. Using fingers to scoop out products
Scooping facial creams or moisturizers using fingers has become a routine for many, especially if skincare products come in a glass jar or wide container. However, it is important to take note that while hands are clean, bacteria and oil may be unknowingly transferred. What will work best is using a spatula, scoop, or a reusable cotton swab for every scoop.
3. Pimple popping
Popping a zit may totally be tempting. But doing this won’t necessarily help get rid of the problem. It may even worsen it as you push bacteria and pus deeper into the skin. The bacteria in the follicles will spread to the other follicles if you forcefully squeeze out a pimple. This is why it’s best to either leave it until it naturally heals, follow proper pimple pricing procedures using specific tools, or consult your derma. Keep in mind not to pop pimples, especially since the infected ones may affect the healthy parts of your skin, causing more pimples to break out and a delay in their natural healing process.4. Not including hyaluronic acid. Our skin needs to stay hydrated. And what better way to do this than to ensure that your skincare products contain hyaluronic acid, a mega moisturizer that can hold up to 1000 times its own weight in water. While this is already a naturally occurring substance, its amount decreases as we age. By opting for products with hyaluronic acid, you get to keep your skin moisturized and protected.
4. Not including hyaluronic acid Our skin needs to stay hydrated.
And what better way to do this than to ensure that your skincare products contain hyaluronic acid, a mega moisturizer that can hold up to 1000 times its own weight in water. While this is already a naturally occurring substance, its amount decreases as we age. By opting for products with hyaluronic acid, you get to keep your skin moisturized and protected
5. Over-exfoliating
Fact: the skin does not replenish itself quickly enough to withstand non-stop rubbing and cleaning. This is why when you over-exfoliate your skin by applying chemical-fused serums and physical scrubs, it tends to get irritated and reddish. The key is to let your skin cells live their short span of lives before scrubbing them away. Try exfoliating only once to twice a week by using gentle and safer formula or ingredients.
6. Not double-cleansing.
Double cleansing surely may require more work and time to complete; however, it’s always worth the effort.
Impurities and dirt collected by the face contain free radicals, which are known to disrupt the natural skin elastin and cause fine lines and wrinkles. As we don’t want this to happen, it’s crucial to take extra cleansing steps to brush off the impurities. Start double cleansing your face to steer clear of harmful bacteria on the skin and protect it from premature aging. However, note that when you double cleanse, use only gentle, effective, and safe products.
7. Skimping on sunscreen.
We only think of sunscreen when we’re going to the beach and basking under the sun. More than being just protection against the sun or outdoors, did you know that it also protects the skin from skin cancer caused by constant exposure to UV rays. In addition, it can help prevent burnt skin, hyperpigmentation, and premature aging. Studies also show that the light from electronic devices also penetrates your skin, causes hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, and other early signs of aging. To beef up your skin protection, make it a habit to apply sunscreen every single day, regardless of the weather. Choose a product with an SPF of at least 30 and has a broad-spectrum protection capacity for better and more effective coverage.
8. Poor sleep quality.
Lack of sleep, too cold or dry temperature, or being surrounded by unclean pillowcases can affect skin health. Make sure to have better sleeping conditions by keeping your pillowcases clean and using a humidifier to add moisture to the air during the winter to prevent dry skin. Sleep doesn’t only help boost your immune system and ensure the daily repair cycle. It also enables skin repair, better blood circulation, and collagen rebuilding. Therefore, it must not be missed or compromised.
In conclusion
Achieve a healthier, moisturized, and glowing skin by doing skincare responsibly and mindfully. Keep only products that are suitable for your skin type and address your skin concerns. Never forget to avoid oil cleansing mistakes, and take note also of the reminders above. For a more list of clean beauty black-owned brands, check out the link.