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Are You Guilty Of These Skincare Mistakes?
Taking care of your skin is essential for a healthy and radiant complexion. However, despite our best intentions, we often make mistakes in our skincare routine that can hinder our efforts. From using the wrong products to neglecting crucial steps, these missteps can impact the health and appearance of your skin. If you’re doing any of these as part of your skincare routine, you should STOP IT right now!
Mistake 1: Not wearing sunscreen everyday
Did you know that it only takes just 15 minutes of sun exposure to damage your skin? Excessive sun exposure is one of the main causes of premature skin ageing, with evidence to show that it may account for up to 80% of visible signs of ageing.
Therefore, it is crucial to wear sunscreen daily, regardless of the weather. Make it a habit to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Makeup that contains a bit of SPF simply doesn’t count.
Mistake 2: Working out with your makeup on
When you exercise, your body temperature rises and you sweat. If you have makeup on your skin, it can mix with sweat and clog your pores. This can lead to breakouts, acne and skin irritation. Also, wearing makeup during a workout can interfere with your skin’s natural ability to regulate heat and sweat effectively. This may lead to overheating, which can exacerbate your skin issues.
Removing makeup before a workout helps your skin function optimally, ensuring that your pores remain clear and allowing for effective sweat evaporation, which is vital for healthy skin.
Mistake 3: Over-exfoliating your skin with harsh products
Skin that’s not regularly exfoliated becomes easily clogged with dirt, sebum and dead skin cells, which leaves you with a lacklustre complexion and acne breakouts. However, over-exfoliating with harsh products can damage the skin barrier.
Limit exfoliation to 2-3 times per week, depending on your skin type, and opt for alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) that are much gentler on the skin.
Mistake 4: Forgetting to moisturise your neck and décolletage
DermaPen treatments are a versatile option suitable for a wide range of individuals seeking skin rejuvenation. You should consider trying DermaPen, if you are looking to address concerns such as fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin texture, enlarged pores, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and overall skin dullness. Additionally, individuals who experience a loss of skin firmness or elasticity can benefit from DermaPen’s collagen-boosting effects.
The number of facial treatments required will depend on your skin condition and goals, but most people will see results after 3-6 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart.
Mistake 5: Touching your face too often
Your hands harbour an average of 2 to 10 million bacteria. Frequent touching of the face can introduce dirt, bacteria and oils from your hands onto your skin, potentially leading to various skin issues.
This habit can clog pores, resulting in acne breakouts, irritation or even infections. Additionally, excessive touching can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier function, leading to increased sensitivity and potential skin damage.
Mistake 6: Popping your pimples
Popping pimples might seem like a quick solution to get rid of them, but it can do more harm than good to your skin.
When you squeeze your pimple, you are breaking the skin barrier, delaying its natural healing process and increasing the risk of scarring and redness. Also, by squeezing the gunk out, you may be sabotaging your skin by pushing the pus deeper, potentially causing inflammation and spreading the infection to surrounding pores.
Instead of popping, it’s advisable to use spot treatments with ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to help reduce inflammation and heal the blemish without causing further damage to your skin.
Mistake 7: Using anti-ageing products only in your 40s
Starting an anti-ageing skincare routine early can significantly benefit your skin in the long run. While visible signs of ageing may not be apparent in your mid-20s, this is the time when your collagen production starts declining, leading to a gradual loss of elasticity.
Incorporating anti-ageing serums, containing antioxidants, retinoids or peptides, can help to preserve collagen levels, prevent premature ageing, and maintain the skin’s firmness and suppleness over time.
Mistake 8: Presuming a product that works wonders on Instagram or TikTok will do the same for you
It’s important to exercise caution when presuming that a product that works wonders on Instagram or TikTok, will yield remarkable results for everyone. Skincare does not follow a ‘one size fits all’ approach because everyone’s skin is unique. What works effectively for one person may not necessarily produce the same remarkable results for another.
Therefore, factors such as skin sensitivity, allergies and specific skin conditions need to be taken into consideration before adopting a new product. Always perform a patch test on a small area of your skin before applying a new product to your entire face.
Consider consulting with a skincare professional or doctor for tailored, personalised skincare recommendations that can cater to your skin concerns and goals, rather than solely relying on social media testimonials.
Taking care of your skin involves more than just a daily routine; it requires attention to detail and consistency. By avoiding these common skincare mistakes and adopting healthy habits, you can achieve a glowing complexion and maintain the health of your skin for many years to come.
