Did you know that your skin is the largest of the body’s organs, covering a surface area of around 2 m² (square meters)? That’s a lot of skin, so it’s important to take care of it!
Facial skin is the most delicate area as it’s also the part of you that’s exposed to sunlight and other risk factors most often, and it’s vital to ensure you have a skincare routine in place that works to keep your skin soft, smooth and glowing all year round.
With so many different products and beauty regimes to choose from, it can be easy to make mistakes when it comes to caring for your skin – with that in mind, here are 10 skincare mistakes you don’t want to make.
1. Don’t treat your skin roughly
You should never be rough with your skin, as this can lead to scarring, redness, broken capillaries and even wrinkles! Treat your skin gently and it will reward you by looking healthy.
Exfoliating once or twice a week with a gentle scrub is important to remove dead skin, but always take care when using scrubs, muslins or other cloths on your face. A gentle circular motion is better for your skin than scrubbing harshly.
2. Don’t use irritating products
If you have sensitive skin, many skincare products could cause breakouts, irritation and redness. Avoid any products containing fragrance or alcohol, and try to stick to natural ranges wherever possible.
Brands whose ranges include natural, skin-soothing ingredients such as Chamomile and Green Tea are ideal for sensitive types. There are plenty of skincare products specifically designed for sensitive skin, so you don’t have to worry.
3. Don’t use body products on your face
We’ve all been guilty of occasionally using body moisturizer on our faces in a last-minute emergency, but there’s a reason it’s called ‘body moisturizer.’
Creams and other products designed for use on your body can be heavier and greasier than those specifically for use on your facial skin. You shouldn’t use body creams or lotions on your face, particularly if you have oily skin or are prone to breakouts.
4. Don’t spend a fortune on skincare
There’s no need to spend all of your hard-earned cash on skincare products. Try out a range of products until you find ones which work for your skin type.
Drugstore’s own ranges are often just as good for your skin as high-end designer labels, so there’s no need to think that spending more will give you more beautiful skin.
5. Don’t exfoliate too often
Everyone loves the way exfoliation makes skin feel; baby soft and glowing. But it’s important to ensure you don’t exfoliate too often!
Those with oily skin can get away with exfoliating every other day using a mild facial scrub, whilst dry and sensitive types or those with normal skin should exfoliate once to twice a week max.
Make sure you choose a facial scrub with round particles that won’t scratch or irritate your skin, and apply in gentle, circular motions.
6. Don’t overload your face
Just as it’s important not to overload your body with food, your skin will look best if it’s kept feeling fresh and clean. It can be tempting to load up on serums, moisturizers and creams, but all you really need is a light daily moisturizer with SPF.
If you do feel the need for anti-aging serum or a complexion booster under your foundation, a few light dots are all that’s needed.
7. Don’t dehydrate your skin
Many people wonder why their complexion is dry and lacklustre and blame their skincare regime. In fact, it could be as simple as dehydration.
Our skin needs moisture to thrive, and you should be drinking between 8-10 glasses of water a day to keep skin in tip-top condition. If you notice dry, flaky patches, try upping your water consumption to see if this helps. In the winter, with central heating and cold weather, we often need to drink more water.
8. Don’t skip night cream
When you’re tired, it can be tempting to fall into bed without applying your night cream. Skin carries out most of its repair and regeneration whilst we’re asleep, which is why a good night’s sleep can leave you looking refreshed and younger!
This means it’s a great time to apply lotions and potions to your face. A moisturizing night cream or facial oil is a great option for bed time, and will leave you with a dewy, fresh complexion in the morning.
9. Don’t clog your pores
This is perhaps more of a cosmetics tip than skincare, but it’s important to choose non-comedogenic makeup to prevent your pores becoming clogged.
Heavy makeup can cause breakouts and exacerbate existing skin conditions. It goes without saying that you always need to take your makeup off before you go to bed, unless you want to wake up to greasy, spotty skin!
10. Don’t skip moisturizer if you have oily skin
It’s easy to think that because your skin is shiny and oily, it doesn’t need any more moisture. In fact, moisturizing with a light gel formula specifically designed for oily complexions can help to balance your skin’s production of sebum.
This means that moisturizer is just as good for oily skin types as it is dry. The trick is to find the right product for your needs. Even facial oils can be good for oily or combination skin, so long as you use one that suits your skin type.
There’s no need to feel guilty about your skincare mistakes – we’ve all made them from time to time!
But if you want your skin looking beautiful for longer, you need to take good care of it and nourish it from the inside out.
Hopefully, the above mistakes will inspire you to shakeup your skincare regime and keep your skin soft and healthy throughout the year.