7 Common Skincare Mistakes That Lead to Premature Aging & Wrinkles
It’s no surprise that the way we take care of our skin can affect its appearance. But did you know that certain skincare mistakes can influence how quickly our skin ages, leading to the dreaded wrinkles and lines? Here, we outline the 7 most common skincare mistakes and provide simple tips to avoid them and keep your skin healthy and wrinkle-free.
1. Not Washing Your Face Regularly
Letting your skin remain unclean will clog your pores and undo the effects of your other skincare products. To maintain your skin’s health, you should wash your face twice a day. Choose a cleanser that best suits your skin type and stick to it. Bonus points if you choose one that eliminates bacteria and contaminants while still retaining your skin’s natural moisture.
2. Over-Exfoliating
Exfoliating is important for removing dead skin cells, stimulating your skin to regenerate, and unclogging your pores. But too much can damage your skin and leave it dry and irritated. As a general rule, opt for gentle exfoliation no more than once or twice a week.
3. Overusing Harsh Products
Beauty products with strong ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and Retinol can do amazing things for your skin. But using too much will strip your skin of protective moisture and irritate it. Before you commit to an intense skincare routine with these in it, first use them sparingly and assess how your skin reacts.
4. Not Protecting Yourself From the Sun
One of the most common skin mistakes is neglecting to protect your skin from UV radiation. Applying sunscreen with at least SPF 15 every day, whatever the weather, can help keep your skin looking young and beautiful.
5. Neglecting Your Skin’s pH Balance
Our skin naturally has a pH balance, and any disruption to this balance can lead to blemishes, breakouts, and inflammation. To maintain your skin’s natural pH balance, be mindful of the products you’re using and try to buy ones that are hypoallergenic. This will also help protect from bacterial buildup.
6. Leaving Makeup On Overnight
Throughout your day, makeup collects dirt and oils from your skin’s environment, and leaving it on overnight not only gives those bad elements a chance to seep into your pores, it also prevents your skin from regenerating and breathing (which it needs to do overnight!). Try to get into a habit of washing your face right before bedtime.
7. Sleeping Without Removing Your Makeup
On the other end of the spectrum, it can be equally damaging to fall asleep with makeup on. Make sure to remove all of your makeup before you hit the hay so your skin can breathe and regenerate naturally.
Conclusion
Learning how to take better care of our skin will take practice and probably a few months to get comfortable. But following these simple tips will make all the difference in preventing and slowing down wrinkles and signs of premature aging.
