Treating the largest organ in your body can be a difficult task if you don’t know how to take care of it properly. Skin is sensitive; one day you look like you can grace the cover of a beauty magazine and the next day you never want to show your face in public again.
When breakouts occur, desperate times call for desperate measures, which can lead us to do some harmful things to our skin. Don’t worry! Below we outline some of the most common skincare mistakes and how to fix them.
1. Exfoliating Too Much or Too Little
Exfoliating is tricky. Some people exfoliate too much, leading to dryness, irritation, and inflammation, while others never exfoliate, leading dead skin cells to clog pores and cause acne and blemishes. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, making your skin clear, but also sensitive, which is why exfoliating too much can irritate and damage the new skin.
Solution: Find a happy medium and exfoliate only once or twice a week. Doing so will allow your skin to heal properly and radiate a natural glow. It’s best to use a gentle exfoliator so your delicate skin doesn’t become irritated.
2. Sunburn
We know, there’s nothing better than a radiant tan in the summertime. Sun-kissed skin may seem like a dream, but years down the line you’ll regret it. Harmful UVA and UVB rays can age your skin rapidly, leading to wrinkles and sunspots, and can even lead to skin cancer.
Solution: Always apply sunscreen whenever you plan on staying outside for long durations. Know your SPF needs, use sunscreens with organic ingredients that don’t include toxic substances like Oxybenzone, and apply regularly throughout the day. Additionally, stay covered with stylish sunhats, long-sleeved shirts, and sunglasses for the ultimate protection.
3. Not Washing Properly
Many people treat their skin routine as a chore. They grab their cleaner, rub hard and fast, and dry off as fast as they can, so they can start their day or get into bed as soon as possible. If you’re guilty of doing this, take a step back and rethink what’s happening to your skin. Not washing properly can cause your skin to become irritated by harsh abrasions and can leave residue behind, resulting in redness and imperfections.
Solution: If you’re one to rush your routine and scrub hard and fast, it’s time to change your mindset. Look at your daily routine as a time for self-reflection. Not only are you cleaning your skin, you’re clearing your mind and taking care of your body. Stock your bathroom with scented candles, plants, and even a Bluetooth speaker to turn your face-washing time into a trip to the spa. It’s called, “self-care” for a reason!
4. Forgetting to Remove Makeup
Makeup is one of the leading causes of acne breakouts and blemishes. Sure, we all have those nights where we can barely keep our eyes opened and washing away makeup is the last thing on our minds. Don’t let the devil on your shoulder tempt you to skip your nightly routine and hit the hay. If so, you’ll wake up with clogged pores and breakouts.
Solution: Set a reminder every night to remind yourself to wash your makeup off. And whatever you do, don’t lay down on your comfy bed! The hardest thing after resting on your pillow is getting up. However, if you do forget and end up waking up with a breakout, wash your face, moisturize and apply a powder or liquid foundation to conceal your blemish.
5. Not Getting Enough Sleep
Now that you’ve washed your face, it’s time to get some sleep. Not getting enough sleep causes your body to release the stress hormone cortisol, which is linked to causing acne and breakouts.
Solution: Practice healthy sleeping habits to ensure you get the recommended 8 hours of sleep per night. To do this, avoid using your phone 1-2 hours before bedtime, use a noise cancellation machine if needed, and invest in a quality mattress so you can wake up on the right side of the bed every morning.
6. Not Eating Healthy
Whatever you put in your body will show on the outside of your body. Foods and drinks high in sugar, alcohol, dairy products, and refined grains are all enemies of your skin. Oily foods and junk foods can cause your blood sugar levels to rise, leading to increased insulin production, which results in skin cells to grow rapidly, which causes acne.
Solution: Clean up your diet by reducing these types of food and substitute them for whole, organic foods such as leafy greens, fruits, and ancient grains. Not only will your skin clear up, but you’ll feel more energized, too!
Goodbye Breakouts, Hello Clear Skin!
You’re not alone. We’ve all made careless skincare mistakes we’re not proud of. However, if you incorporate these six solutions for common skincare mistakes into your daily routine, you’ll never need to shy away from the camera again.
