Not all skincare routines are made equal. Having the right skincare routine could mean the difference between having younger-looking skin or one riddled with signs of aging. That’s why it’s vitally important to know what type of skin you have, what skincare products are best for you, and how to apply them to your face in a way that keeps your skin looking and feeling its best.
In this article, we’ll explore the five common mistakes that people make with their skincare routine, why they can be detrimental to your health, and how to correct those mistakes before they wreak havoc on your skin.
Mistake #1: Using the Wrong Products
A 2017 survey found that 80% of people wash their face either the wrong way or with the wrong products.
This means they either only use water, or use harsh soaps or chemicals on their skin every day.
This is a staggering percentage, so there’s a very high chance that you are not using the right products on your skin.
In order to use the right products, you must first know what type of skin you have. There are four skin types: normal, oily, dry, and combination.
Without knowing the type of skin you have, you are probably not following the correct skin care regime to address your skin’s specific needs or concerns.
All too often people are using skincare products that are too harsh for their skin and this could be stripping their skin of the essential oils and moisture it needs to stay plump and vibrant.
Mistake #2: No Consistent Routine
Although studies are finding that more women are using skincare products now than ever before, many are not sticking to a consistent routine. Using only a facial cleanser in the morning is not a full skincare routine. Likewise, not having a nighttime skincare regime is also a common mistake people are making.
To have a complete skincare routine to follow – both day and night, you want to ensure that the products you use prep, preserve and protect your skin.
At a bare minimum, you want to have at least one product in your routine that addresses each of these skincare steps. Here are the three must-have products for a good daily skincare routine.
Prep. The first step in the skincare routine is to prep your skin which consists of cleansing and exfoliating. The prep phase removes oil, dirt, makeup, and dead skin cells so that the skin ris ready to absorb all the other skincare products you’ll use next. So, a daily cleaner is a must!
Preserve. The second step is all about preserving your skin which includes using products that heal skin damage, lock in moisture, and stimulate collagen production. In this phase you have several options to choose from like antioxidants, peptides, retinoids, and moisturizers. So, a peptide or retinoid is a great addition to your skincare routine.
Protect. The final step is to protect your skin from further damage. Even if you’ve never experienced sunburn, we all experience sun damage every day – no matter the season. So, protecting the skin with SPF is a must for any good skincare routine. So, having a moisturizer with SPF to apply in the morning is a great finish to your morning routine. For the evening, using a mineral-based moisturizer is best.
Mistake #3: Skip Acid Exfoliants
The average person loses 5 million skin cells every day. Yes, 5 million! These skin cells may slough off, but a large portion of them get stuck in our pores. To make matters worse, only a small portion of these dead skin cells are actually removed by our facial cleansers. Which means our pores can be constantly clogged with dead skin cells, dirt, and grime. So, imagine what happens over time when we don’t completely clean out our pores. This could lead to acne, skin irritations, blackheads, and a host of other skin challenges – that are easily preventable.
That’s why using a fruit acid exfoliant, 2-4 times a week, is an important part of your skincare routine. Exfoliants work because they lift the dead skin cells out of your pores, allowing new and healthy skin cells to come to the surface. If you have never used an exfoliant before – start slowly. If you struggle with dark spots, an exfoliant like glycolic acid can help to lighten and remove them. However, if you have sensitive skin, you’ll want to use a more gentle exfoliant like lactic acid.
Mistake #4: Forget SPF
We all go outside – all year round. But, how many of us always protect our skin?
Even if you’re not sun tanning on the beach, having SPF on every time you go outdoors is a must to protect your skin. There’s no coincidence that the number of skin diseases and disorders has significantly increased over the past two decades. In fact, studies show that 80% of aging of the skin is related to prolonged exposure to the sun which leads to permanent sun damage.
Plus, by using sunscreens or moisturizers with SPF you can help to prevent dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and premature aging.
Now, not all sunscreens are made equal. Skincare experts highly recommend using a mineral-based sunscreen because it is safer for your skin and for the environment.
Mistake #5: Use Too Many Chemicals
The average woman in the United States uses no fewer than 12 cosmetic products, which exposes her to 168 chemicals every day4. These are all things that make their way onto our face!
Since 2009, 595 cosmetics manufacturers have reported using 88 chemicals, in over 73,000 products that are now known to cause cancer or birth defects. And chances are very good that many of these products were from brands that people know and trust.
The biggest mistake people make with their skincare is not reading the labels to ensure that they are not exposing themselves to harmful chemicals.
It is important that you know what is in the products that you put on your skin and that they inevitably make their way into lakes and streamsl. Not only is there a large toxic component we have to worry about that can impact our health, but these chemicals are washed down millions of drains every day.
We do not pack our skincare formulas with dyes, fillers, or junk that can be harmful to you or the environment.
Takeaway
So you see, it is important to have a skincare routine. But, what’s more important is that it is the right skincare routine for your skin type! And, that your skincare routine contains the right products to prep, preserve, and protect your skin – without exposing it to harsh chemicals that
