Skincare is something we typically learn about from those around us. If no one in your family paid attention to skincare and all you knew was to put on sunscreen in the summer, the world of skincare can seem intimidating. Even if you and your friends love staying on top of the latest skincare, you could still end up making harmful skincare mistakes.
Many people don’t even know that some of these mistakes are a problem or even possible. Without further ado, here are some skincare mistakes you’re probably making that could affect your skin.
#1. Sleeping With Makeup On
Whether you were out partying until the early hours of the morning, you had an exhausting workday, or you’re just feeling lazy, it can be easy to hit the sack without taking your makeup off. Perhaps you even think it’s a win: future you won’t have to do their makeup tomorrow because you can just touch up last night’s!
However, sleeping with your makeup on clogs your pores, which can cause acne. It also makes you more susceptible to premature aging, due to the fact that your skin is left exposed to bacteria all night long. Even if you’re exhausted, taking a couple of minutes to remove your makeup helps your skin stay clear and youthful for longer.
#2. Forgetting That You Can Have Too Much Of A Good Thing
Do you have a pimple you’re desperate to get rid of? Maybe you have a fine line on your forehead and you want it to disappear? Perhaps you think slathering layer after layer of a product over your problem areas will make them look better faster.
It’s a common skincare mistake. However, you can have too much of a good thing. Using too much of a product won’t make your skin look better sooner. It’s just a waste of product, and can even negatively affect your skin. For instance, if you struggle with pilling, this could be because you’re using too much.
#3. Not Cleansing Your Skin
You may think all you really need is moisturizer and sunscreen and you’re good to go. Or maybe you think you only need to wash your face in the morning or only at night. However, you should be washing your face day and night. You don’t want to overdo it, of course, as washing your skin too often could dry it out.
Washing your face at night removes leftover sunscreen and any dirt and oils that built up on your skin during the day. Washing your face in the morning removes the sweat from while you were sleeping (yes, we sweat when we sleep!), as well as any oil and impurities from your bedding.
#4. Applying Products In The Wrong Order
Many people make the skincare mistake of applying products in the wrong order. You can usually tell when you’re doing this, as the products won’t work well together or you may struggle with pilling. In order to ensure that everything soaks in, you want to go from lightest to heaviest. So, serums before creams, water-based products before oil-based products.
It also helps to give each product time to soak in before you jump into the next step of your routine. If you apply one product right after another, you could still end up feeling like they’re on top of your skin, rather than helping it. Simply taking a minute or two between steps can make the products more effective.
#5. Rubbing Product In Instead Of Patting It On
Did you know that rubbing your face can lead to premature aging? Many people make the skincare mistake of rubbing products in instead of patting them on. It’s easy to make, as this isn’t something that you immediately see the effects of. However, in time, this causes friction and stretches out the skin, leaking to wrinkles and sagging.
Patting is gentler on your skin. It also helps you to avoid using too much product. When you rub skincare on instead of patting it in, it takes product away from your face, which can be a waste.
#6. Skipping The Sunscreen
One of the most common skincare mistakes people make is skipping sunscreen. People generally believe that you only need sunscreen if you’re going to be out hiking or on a beach. People also think that only people with fair skin need to put sunscreen on since they burn.
However, you should be wearing sunscreen every day, even if it’s overcast and you’re not going outside, even if you have darker skin. This is because cloudy or not, UV rays can still reach your skin. To prevent premature aging and the risk of skin conditions like skin cancer, ensure that you always wear sunscreen.
#7. Letting Skincare Products Expire
Like makeup, many people don’t realize that skincare can expire. How long have you been holding onto that sunscreen? In general, unopened products have a shelf life of anywhere from 1 to 3 years. Most opened skincare expires within a year and loses its effectiveness.
How long your skincare lasts depends on how it’s stored, too. You need to be careful storing products with Vitamin C, for example, as it can oxidize.
#8. Dialing Back When You See Results
It can be oh-so-tempting to assume that once you see results, this means you can stop doing what you were doing. It happens with medications, with many a psychiatrist pleading with their patients to please continue taking their medication even if they feel fine. It happens with skincare, too.
Of course, this depends on what treatments you were using and why. You wouldn’t continue to use spot treatments if you don’t have pimples, after all. Your dermatologist will be able to help you determine what you should and should not be doing for your skin to keep it healthy.
#9. Not Seeking The Advice Of Skincare Experts
One of the most common skincare mistakes people make is not going to a dermatologist or skincare expert. Instead, they end up wasting money trying all these different products in order to figure out what works and what doesn’t. A dermatologist will be able to tell you what your skin needs and provide you with specific recommendations.
Do You Know What Your Skin Needs?
Allen-Taintor Dermatology is here to help you take care of your skin! If you need help figuring out what your skin needs, schedule an appointment and let us help you determine its specific needs. Contact us today to learn more.