A well-considered skincare regimen is essential for maintaining healthy, radiant skin, but many of us make common mistakes that are limiting ourselves from reaching skin goals. From over-exfoliating, to neglecting essential steps such as moisturisers and SPF, these skincare blunders can lead to irritation, dehydration, and long-term damage. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the most common skincare mistakes, and offer solutions, so you can unlock glowing skin.
Incorrectly or overusing chemical exfoliants
Chemical exfoliants work a dream at sloughing away dead skin cells, tightening pores and revealing a glowing complexion, however, they are not suitable for everyday use. Overuse can result in a damaged skin barrier, the protective layer of your skin. Reserve your exfoliating acids to a couple of evenings a week to avoid unwanted damage and ensure to follow with a moisturiser.
Not using your products long enough to see results
Consistency is key when it comes to skincare, a solid routine will do wonders for your complexion. When trying new products, unless you have an adverse reaction, try to stick with them for a couple of months before you can conclude it’s not for you. As you do with antibiotics, see out the course, and patiently await results.
Not using an SPF everyday
SPF is arguably the most crucial step in your skincare routine, in both preventing skin damage and reducing the risk of skin cancer, as well as keeping your skin looking young. SPF protects your skin from harmful UV rays, which we all know put us at higher risk of skin cancers. What’s more is that daily use of SPF can help to stop premature ageing in its path, leaving skin looking youthful and healthy.
Not using moisturiser on oily skin types
Many with oily skin skip moisturiser as it’s commonly believed to make oily skin worse, although this is a myth. Just because your skin produces more oil, does not necessarily mean it’s getting enough hydration, and you may be missing out on some crucial benefits if you skip this step. It’s possible for your skin to be both oily and dehydrated. Using humectant products such as hyaluronic acid locks in moisture without excess shine. The key is to choose your products and formulas wisely.
Neglecting your neck
When we think of skincare, we tend to concentrate on our face and not the neck, which is equally as important. As we age, our collagen production slows down, meaning that our skin tightening function also slows. As skin on the neck is thinner, and contains less collagen, it is more susceptible to premature ageing. To combat this, make sure to bring serums and moisturisers onto the neck, always using an upwards sweeping motion. Avoiding these common mistakes is key in revealing a healthy complexion. Reserve chemical exfoliation to a couple of evenings a week and always follow with moisturiser. Patience is a virtue when it comes to introducing new products; give them time before deciding if they’re right or not. Always moisturise, no matter what your skin type – formulation is key, and daily SPF use is a must to prevent UV damage and premature ageing. By making these small adjustments, you’ll be well on your way to healthy, youthful skin.