Six common skin care mistakes to avoid

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and it needs to be taken care of. Understanding the right skin care routine for your body is as important as knowing how to use it. 

So to avoid sabotaging the chance of getting glowing skin, here are some skin care habits you should stop practicing.

• Not knowing your skin type

It is important to know your skin type in order to know how to care for it.

Your skin type can affect how products work. Using the wrong products can cause breakouts and redness of your skin.

Every person’s skin is unique depending on its oiliness, sensitivity level, and hydration.

There are basically 5 types of skin; dry, oily, normal, combination, and sensitive skin. It is also good to find out your skin type and build a skin care routine around it.

• Not washing  your face before bed

After a long and tiring day, all you want to do is get to bed immediately when you get home, it is understandable. But remember it isn’t good for your skin — especially if you wear makeup.

When you have makeup on overnight, it penetrates the sub-layers of the dermis and clogs your pores.

According to Anne Wetter, a dermatologist, “pores clogged with make-up prevent your skin from rehydrating and protecting itself from oxidative stress”.

Also, while trying to wash your face, avoid using antiseptic soaps. Several studies have proven that these soaps wipe out the healthy bacteria in the body making the skin more sensitive to infections.

So it is advisable to use a mild face cleanser that suits your skin type.

• Picking your skin

Touching your pimples seems to be very tempting and satisfying but you must avoid it.

Popping your pimples will only make the acne worse by spreading bacteria, causing irritation and inflamed skin.

So if this a habit of yours, break it by keeping your hands busy with something else or by using pimple patches.

• Over-exfoliating

Exfoliating is a great way to remove dead skin cells and smooth out the skin to make it more receptive to skincare ingredients.

However, it can cause damage to the skin if done harshly and too frequently.

According to Caren Campbell, a board-certified dermatologist, over-exfoliating can cause tiny tears in the skin and can impair the skin’s normal skin barrier.

Exfoliation is still important but should be done moderately. Exfoliate two to three times a week with a chemical exfoliant.

Remember, to always choose the exfoliant that suits your skin type.

• Skipping sunscreen

You need sunscreen every day even on days when it is raining or cloudy or you are indoors.

Skipping sunscreen will only expose you to skin aging and skin cancer. A study has also proven that harmful UV rays damage the collagen and connective tissue in the skin.

Daily application of sunscreen will help reduce the risk of skin cancer, reduce skin damage and improve your skin generally.

The Centers For Disease Control (CDC) also recommends the use of sunscreen with at least a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. It adds that you should reapply when you are out in the sun for more than 2 hours.

• Not being consistent in your skin care routine

The key to healthy, youthful skin is consistency. If you want to get excellent results from your skincare routine, you must be intentional and consistent.

Also, you shouldn’t slack off on your routine after getting the results because many skincare ingredients require consistent use over time to make sure the results stick.

However, don’t forget that your regular eating habits and lifestyle affect your skin. So make sure to keep up only a healthy lifestyle.