10 things you are doing wrong when it comes to your skin
As good as your skincare routine is, there’s bound to be something you could improve on. Below are ten common mistakes or misconceptions when it comes to skincare - how many of these are you guilty of?
1. You wash with hot water
Hot showers feel wonderful, and who doesn’t love a long soak at the end of a hard day? But sadly the high temperature can strip away your skin’s essential oils and dry it out, especially when it comes to the sensitive skin on your face. Next time you step in the shower, turn the temperature down a degree or two. Your face (and Mother Nature!) will thank you.
2. You don’t wear sunscreen every day
If you only apply sunscreen when it’s sunny outside and skip it on cloudy days, you’re not doing yourself any favours. UV rays can penetrate even the thickest cloud layers, so make sure you apply a sunscreen like Chanel’s UV Essentiel before heading out. The lightweight sunscreen is enriched with tiare flower extract to defend your skin against external stressors, helping to keep your complexion youthful and radiant.
3. You apply sunscreen only once
And if you think that just because you applied that SPF50, you’re good for the rest of the day, think again. To maximise the effect of your sunscreen you should apply it 30 minutes before exposure to sunlight, and reapply every two hours. If you have been swimming, or have perspired a lot, we’re afraid you’ll need to reapply immediately after drying off.
Cleansing only takes care of the surface layer of your skin. To really get rid of all the debris that accumulates on your skin over the course of a day, make exfoliation a part of your regular routine. Try out these DIY exfoliating scrubs that can be easily made with ingredients you have in your kitchen!
But take care not to exfoliate too much. Over-exfoliating is the fastest route to damaging your skin, as you’re scrubbing away at the protective top layer of your skin. Two to three times a week is more than enough.
6. You use the wrong products
Buying the first thing you see at the beauty counter, or taking home whatever is currently on trend, could do your skin more harm than good. Make sure to get products that are suitable for you, as skin care products are formulated differently for different skin types. For example, if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, try out Chanel’s La Solution 10 . Formulated with just 10 ingredients, this gentle cream effectively soothes and defends stressed skin.
7. You use too much product
Even if you’ve found the right product for your skin, using too much of it is actually counter-productive. Use a pea sized amount of cleanser when washing your face. For lotions, use about a 5 cent coin amount. As for eye cream, less is better –the size of a grain of rice is more than enough.
8. You don’t wash your makeup brushes
Not washing your makeup brushes and sponges doesn’t just hinder smooth application. Dirty brushes hold a lot of old product, sebum, and dirt that can breed bacteria and cause damage to your skin, so make sure to wash them at least twice a week - warm water and a bit of shampoo will do.
9. You don’t pay attention to packaging
As a general rule of thumb, products that come in a tube are more hygienic than jars. When you pump product out of a tube, the rest of the product remains unexposed to bacteria that may be in the air, but every time you unscrew the cap of a jar to scoop product out, you run the risk of contaminating the rest of the product. Next time you’re picking up a new product, see what the packaging options are, and try and choose tubes if you can.
10. You ignore expiration dates
Expiration dates are printed on your products for a reason – they are an indication of when the active ingredients in your products will cease to be effective. Skin care products are generally good for about 6 months to a year, less if improperly stored - so make sure to keep your products out of sunlight or high temperatures!
kaledo-art
theartofmadeline
tangentwithtanner
baratheonpilled
prguitarman
jacobvanloon
ellievsbear