Skincare routines can get a little confusing with the vast amount of information on the internet. There’s so much advice for the taking! Below, we've listed the top 10 common mistakes people make when it comes to their skin. We were once the culprits of many of these mistakes, which is why we are able to candidly explain what they are and why they can be harmful.
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1. You’re Touching Your Face With Dirty Hands
Have you ever been around a newborn baby? When the child is born, their parents warn you to wash your hands. Newborns have not developed a strong enough immune system to fight the germs you may be carrying on your hands and with that, make them susceptible to illnesses. Treat your face as a baby and wash your hands before touching to eliminate the amount of dirt you’re applying to your face.
2. Your Water is Way Too Hot
Many think that water hot kills germs and with that, everything from bath water to the water used to wash our faces felt like it was 5000°F. In reality, hot water is a major culprit in dehydrating our skin. The natural oil that our skin contains has special proteins and fats that serve as a protective barrier and locks in moisture. If your water is too hot, you lose oils, leaving your skin feeling tight and may eventually lead to rashes. Instead of boiling hot temperatures, use lukewarm or cool water to maintain soft and youthful skin.
3. Your Pillowcases Are Dirty
Our beds are our sanctuaries and the place we look forward to at the end of the day. When we sleep, our sheets and pillowcases become our best friends and with that, provides an opportunity for them to accumulate bacteria. No matter how cool you make your bedroom, you may still experience night sweats, which become trapped in your fabric and cause acne breakouts. Washing your sheets every week and switching out your pillows every few days can make a huge difference in the amount of bacteria your face comes in contact with at night.
4. Your Diet is Not Matching Your Skin Goals
The saying “you are what you eat” never rings more true than when experiencing a major breakout. After switching out bedsheets and changing skincare products, the remedy that often works is switching up your diet. As a result, you might experience your biggest skin breakthrough. If you notice your skin is continuously breaking out, try monitoring your diet and remove things you feel could be an issue for you. Everyone reacts to things differently, because of individual hormone balances so, sugar may not be a culprit for you but, keeping a close eye on your skin and how it reacts to different foods can help in your efforts to reaching your skin goals.
5. Your Wash Time is Limited
Some times we find ourselves rushing in the mornings in order to get to our destinations in time. One action that you should not skimp on is massaging your face for at least 60 seconds. Good things take time and your skin care routine should be monitored closely. Instead of a quick 20-second or less vigorous scrub, spend a full minute gently massaging my face with cleanser in circular motions. By doing this, it stimulates your lymphatic system, which encourages oxygen and blood circulation. You'll notice a change in the texture of your skin within a matter of three days.
6. You’re Going to Bed With Makeup On
We'll sometimes get home from a night out and immediately retreat to our beds without a care in the world of what makeup we applied prior to going out. This can lead to an alarming amount of pimples. Take the time, no matter what, to cleanse your skin after wearing makeup.
7. You’re Not Double Cleansing
Double cleansing is a rather new method, but is said to work wonders. Before using a cleaner, use coconut oil to remove all the grime that gets built up on your skin throughout the day. Double cleansing will leave your skin feeling really soft and moisturized and serves as an excellent makeup remover. Coconut oil may not do the trick for everyone, as we all have different hormones and if that's the case for you, we recommend giving other oils a try.
8. You’re Doing Too Much
Skincare routines excite us and we try to stay up to date on the latest products to measure effectiveness. When we try out a new product, we always make sure to remove one we're already using out of our routine. By rotating our treatments, we are able to not only measure how well the new products work, but also get the most out of all that we own.
9. You’re Not Moisturizing Your Oily Skin
My friends used to make fun of me because I was always so oily. From my body to my face, I’d pile on the oils and moisturizers, not necessarily understanding the benefits of any of them. A common misconception that people with oily skin have is that they should avoid facial oils and moisturizers. Even if your skin produces an excess amount of moisture, it's vital to moisturize because it adds water to the skin, which in turn overcompensates for any loss of hydration.
10. You’re Not Doing Your Research
There are tons of DIY’s and lists available, including this one, that gives advice on how to take care of your skin, but one thing you have to understand is that some skincare routines will not mirror the next persons because we’re all different. Educate yourself on the ingredients in products before purchasing to learn about what you’re applying.