1. Over-exfoliating
Over-doing it on the exfoliators (and cleansers, actually) can disrupt your skin’s acid mantle, and can strip the skin of its protective barrier, which will eventually lead to it becoming more prone to sensitivity, irritation and dryness.
2. Under-cleansing
Using a face wipe to remove your makeup at night and calling it a day? We’re sorry to say that just using a wipe won’t cut it. Not cleansing your skin can lead to breakouts, congestion and premature aging. The important thing to remember is that makeup removal and cleansing are two separate entities entirely; always make sure to follow up with a gentle cleanser after removing and breaking down your makeup with a cleansing balm, oil or makeup remover.
3. Not wearing enough SPF
If you, (like most of us – let’s be real) apply a pea-sized amount of SPF to your face in the hopes of protecting your skin against sun damage, you’re wasting your time. To achieve the full SPF listed on the label of your chosen sunscreen, you need to be applying around half a teaspoon of it. Sounds like a lot, right? Well, it is, but if you find a light enough formula with a gel-type consistency, you shouldn’t notice too much of a difference.
4. Not cleaning your pillowcases enough
Pillowcases can harbour bacteria, dirt and oil so changing them as often as you can (after every three sleeps) can prevent breakouts and congestion.
5. Using hot water to cleanse
As tempting as it is to wash our faces with hot water at the end of a day in the cold, really hot water can create broken capillaries, exacerbate rosacea and strip the skin, which will all increase your skin’s sensitivity. Instead, aim for lukewarm water – your skin will thank you!
6. Confusing your dehydrated skin for dry skin
At first glance, these two skin ‘types’ do seem confusingly similar, but they really are quite different. In fact, you don’t have to have dry skin at all to suffer with dehydration; the oiliest of skin types can be severely dehydrated. So, how do you know the difference? Rather than showing signs of visible dryness and flakiness as dry skin does, dehydrated skin usually looks dull, feels tight and shows fine lines. Dry skin is caused by a lack of lipids (naturally occurring oils), whereas dehydrated skin is caused by a lack of water, so dehydrated skin should be treated primarily with hydrating water-based serums and moisturisers, and dry skins will benefit more from facial oils.
Are you guilty of any of these skincare mistakes? Let us know!
Jess Hall