Would you believe that the daily skincare habits you're engaging in could actually be ruining your skin?
It's true! Check out these skincare habits that are sabotaging your skin health, and find out how to fix them. By making a few small tweaks to your routine, you can help improve your skin's appearance and overall health.
1. You believe sunscreen is just for the beach
Summer + Beach Days = Sunscreen. The message has been drummed into us since we were young – slip, slop and slap on the sunscreen when you’re heading out to enjoy some summer weather. While the sun is a great source of Vitamin D, it can also be damaging to our skin. If you want to keep your skin looking healthy and glowing, you must be applying sunscreen daily. Even when it's cloudy outside! Sunscreen is important for skin health as it blocks the suns harmful UV rays, protecting your skin from wrinkles, sun or age spots, and skin cancer.
When choosing a sunscreen, look for something with an SPF of 30 or higher. Make sure the sunscreen is broad-spectrum, which means it will protect against both UVA and UVB rays. As long as they meet this criteria, you can choose from mineral or physical sunscreens, it’s up to you!
We get it - sometimes when we hear the word sunscreen...an oily, sticky lotion that brings back terrifying memories of scratchy sand stuck to your skin comes to mind. Instead, choosing a hydrating facial moisturiser with SPF (we have one arriving soon!) can help protect your face and nourish your skin at the same time.
Finally, be sure to apply your SPF products generously and reapply as needed, especially if you're sweating or swimming.
2. Put the exfoliator down, before your skin gets hurt
We all know how important it is to exfoliate. Getting rid of dead skin cells makes way for new cell growth, and can help improve the overall appearance of your skin. However, it's important not to overdo it. Exfoliating more than twice a week, or using products with exfoliating properties on a daily basis, can actually do more harm than good. This is because you end up stripping away too much of the natural oils that protect your skin, leaving it vulnerable to irritants and environmental damage. In addition, over-exfoliation can lead to inflammation and uneven skin texture.
One major clue is that you are over exfoliating is that your skin feels dry, tight, or irritated after exfoliating - even if you follow up with a moisturiser. If you find that your skincare products aren't working as well as they used to, or that you're constantly battling breakouts, over-exfoliation could be the culprit.
To avoid these problems, stick to exfoliating no more than twice a week, and steer clear of products with exfoliating properties that you use on a daily basis.
3. You’ve got 99 products…& that’s the problem
When it comes to skincare, more is not always better. Using too many skincare products, or products that are not suitable for your skin type, can actually do more harm than good. Over-cleansing can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and an increase in breakouts. Layering on multiple products can cause clogged pores and lead to a dull complexion.
So how can you tell if you're using too many skincare products? Finding the right balance of products for your skin type is crucial for achieving healthy, glowing skin. A good rule of thumb is to only use products that are necessary for your individual skin type.
If you're not sure what kind of skin you have, book in for a Skin Consultation with our Skin Specialist Jess, to determine your skin type, identify any underlying skin concerns and discover the best products for your specific needs.
4. You’re in a long-term relationship with the same skincare products
Just like our bodies, our skin is always changing and adjusting to our environment, hormone levels, lifestyle choices, and the natural ageing process. Because of these constant changes, it's important to reassess our skincare routine on a regular basis to make sure it's still meeting our needs. Otherwise, we risk damaging our skin or not achieving the desired results.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is using the same skincare products for
5. Brand loyalty just isn’t your thing
As any skin care enthusiast knows, there are endless options when it comes to skincare. While it can be tempting to try out as many brands as possible, using too many skin care brands at once can actually do more harm than good. When you use products from multiple brands, you run the risk of mismatched ingredients that could cause irritation or even allergic reactions. Using too many products can actually overload your skin, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. And if you're constantly switching between brands, your skin never has a chance to adjust to any one product, making it difficult to see results. So if you're looking for healthy, happy skin, it's best to stick to just one or two trusted brands.
6. You’re not washing away the day
We get it. You lead a busy lifestyle and from time-to-time the thought of catching up on a few extra zzz’s is all too enticing – especially if you’ve already climbed under the covers with Netflix on. You’re not alone. Many of us often find it hard, or just plain forget, to take the time to wash our face and remove our makeup before going to bed.
Not cleansing your face properly can lead to a number of negative effects. It can cause your pores to become blocked, leading to breakouts and blackheads. It can lead to premature ageing, as dirt and makeup build up on the surface of your skin. Finally, not cleansing your face can also cause eye irritation and itchiness. So, even though it may be tempting to skip this step in your nightly routine, taking the time to use a gentle cleanser is essential for maintaining healthy skin.
None of us are perfect when it comes to our skin care routines and that’s okay. If you find yourself making any of the mistakes on this list, don’t worry. Just make a conscious effort to correct them and you’ll see your skin transform in no time.
7. Leaving skin thirsty
For those of you with oily skin, it may seem counter-intuitive to use a moisturiser after cleansing. But skin oil is not the same as skin hydration – and what a moisturiser does is hydrate the skin. When water is absorbed into the deeper layers of the skin, it can help the complexion to maintain its protective qualities and uphold its plumpness, elasticity and resilience.
Stripping away the oils through cleansing can lead to a loss of moisture. Add to that the environmental stresses our skin faces daily, i.e. artificial heating and cooling, sun and wind exposure; it doesn’t take long for it to become dehydrated. With prolonged dehydration, your skin is at greater risk of inflammation, becoming dull and ageing prematurely. It is easy to see why leaving the skin thirsty is a sin we want to avoid.
8. Poor dietary choices
We all have cravings for ‘bad’ food, often after overindulgences of a different kind. We know certain foods aren’t good for our overall health, but we likely overlook their impact on our skin.
Trans fats and refined sugar increase insulin resistance in the body, elevating sex hormones. These make your skin produce more of the oily substance sebum, which can lead to unwanted breakouts or blemishes.
A diet rich in natural whole foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans is recommended and make sure you also eat a rainbow of colour ensuring variety of nutrients in your diet. Skin isn't the only organ that benefits from eliminating fried foods as hair may also benefit.