Skincare is unique to you and only you. Your routine and products will not be suited to anyone else. Your bathroom cabinet is bursting with all the products that you have tried and tested. You exfoliate on the regular. Slap on serum every day. Never forget to moisturise.
Even if you have that routine down, it is possible that your skincare needs some upgrades or there are some things that are damaging your skin in the long run instead of helping it. And that’s okay! Skincare can be confusing, and as you age, the needs of your skin change. With an abundance of information and products, figuring out the right skincare and products is overwhelming.
That’s why the skincare experts at Skin Virtue are sharing some common skincare mistakes everyone makes and the top habits you need to let go of.
1. Over washing your skin
Over-washing is a common mistake. Are you going too hard on the cleansing front? Well, you might want to pull it back a bit. Over-washing your skin is a real thing and one of the common skincare mistakes. It can seriously mess with your skin barrier. No matter what your skin type, our experts say that excess cleansing and the use of harsh cleansers can strip your skin’s barrier, leaving it more susceptible to irritants.
People with oily skin may be tempted to over-wash it. But over-washing oily skin actually makes your skin produce more oil, as your glands go into overdrive to replenish lost oils. Over-washing drier skin removes vital natural lipids. Constantly stripping the skin of its natural oils and barrier protection causes nasty things like irritation, sensitivity and inflammation. It can even trigger rosacea and acne to flare up.
Instead, wash your face with a gentle cleanser (one that is free from foaming) in the evening, and simply rinse with lukewarm water in the morning. Feel free to use a toner in both the AM and PM.
2. Skipping UV protection
According to skin experts, skipping UV protection, not applying enough and not applying it daily is one of the biggest skincare mistakes you can make. It is a common mistake for people to only apply sunscreen when it’s sunny outside. Sunscreen should be applied everyday, regardless of whether it is cloudy or rainy.
It is the number one anti-ageing product, so skimping sunscreen is a disservice to your skin. Skipping out on your SPF can lead to premature skin ageing and undesirable repercussions – such as wrinkles, discolouration, elastin breakdown, cell damage and skin cancer.
To prevent further UV damage, apply an SPF daily to all exposed areas - don’t forget your hairline, hands, arms, neck and décolleté, and reapply frequently.
3. Picking at your skin
Squeezing pimples might feel extremely satisfying, but constantly picking at your skin and squeezing your face can lead to scarring. Also, your hands are covered in Bacteria that you transfer to your skin, which can also lead to even more breakouts.
Suppose you need an extraction, book in a facial that incorporates either a manual or mechanical extraction. Our experts have found that skin redness calms down faster with mechanical extractions, as the skin hasn’t been traumatised by squeezing. Also, manual extractions can induce inflammation if not performed correctly.
Picking at your skin at home can also lead to infections, sores, and scars, affecting your mental and skin health.
4. Wearing the wrong makeup
If you have oily skin or are prone to acne flare-ups, a good rule of thumb is choosing products labelled ‘non-comedogenic’ or ‘non-acnegenic’. That means the product won't block your pores or cause breakouts.
Our experts recommend reading and familiarising yourself with your makeup ingredients like you approach your skincare. A perfectly good skincare regime can be compromised by makeup that is unsuitable for your skin type. You can undo your hard skincare work by choosing the wrong makeup for your skin.
5. Using expired beauty products
You might be tempted to use expired products to finish them off. Using expired skincare products is a huge no – and it can seriously wreak havoc on your skin. If the products have expired, they can cause weird reactions, rashes, irritation, inflammation and much more.
Pay attention to PAO symbols (period after opening). They tell you how long you can use a product after you have opened it. This date is given to avoid contamination and bacteria growth. It is common to have a PAO that is usually less than 12 months. If you have makeup or skincare that has been sitting on your shelf for a year, it has most likely expired and should be thrown away.
6. Being inconsistent with products
Skincare routines and products don’t show results overnight. While some ingredients work quicker than others, good results will only come with consistent application. While the timeline differs between products, 28 days is a good rule of thumb. Before deciding that a product isn’t working, make sure you give it adequate time to work.
7. Layering too many products
Having a detailed skincare routine does not mean that you can keep layering one product after another. A good skincare routine uses products in a way that they complement each other. When you layer too many products you can irritate your skin, especially if you are layering various brands. You really shouldn’t need more than four to five steps in your daily regime.In the morning, our experts suggest using a toner, eye cream, serum, moisturiser and SPF. In the evening, a cleanser, toner, eye cream, serum and targeted treatment will do the job. Exfoliate one to two times a week and use a face mask once a week.
Depending on specific skin concerns, you can use Future Advanced Brightening for discoloration and Future Advanced Vitality Cream for when you need a lifting effect. Those dealing with ageing can use the Future Advanced Wrinkle Line Filler for smoothing and plumping.
Our Future Advanced Firming Mask is well-loved as it is a leave-on or wash-off face, hand and décolleté treatment that is a great option for every other day. It hydrates and helps smooth crepey-looking skin.
Use our skincare routine builder to get a routine according to your skincare needs. All of our collections are made sustainably and ethically. To learn more about our range, get in touch with our team today.
Do you have any stories or experiences about skincare protocols you should have not started?
Share your views and ideas with us at skincare@skinvirtue.com
Gary Williams, Author. Bio