Ten Worst Skincare Mistakes We All Make

 

People repeat these skincare mistakes all the time.

 

       1-                Popping good old pimples.

As a general rule, you should not pop your own pimples. If you do attempt to pop a pimple and ended up breaking your skin barrier, you risk permanent acne scarring. If your pimple contains infected pus, popping can spread bacteria into other pores, hair follicles and create even a worse outbreak. In fact, popping a pimple can actually delay your body's natural healing process.

 

       2-                Pouring on hydrogen peroxide and alcohol.

Despite what we've been told as kids, using hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol to clean an injury can actually harm the tissue and delay healing. The best way to clean a minor wound is with cool, running water and mild soap. Rinse the wound for at least five minutes to remove dirt, debris and bacteria. Wounds, however, those are large, deep or bleeding nonstop should be treated by a professional.

 

      3-                Keeping sweaty clothes on for too long.

Wet and sweaty clothing can trap dust and dirt that clogs pores and often leads to breakouts. Cotton is great at absorbing water, therefore deflecting body oil, but all this high-tech performance gear that we're wearing actually deflects water, that's why it's moisture-wicking. However, it also absorbs body oils and then the bacteria feed on those body oils and release a really gross scent. On top of it, you put yourself at higher risk for jock itch and other fungal infections, which is no fun for your skin.

 

       4-                No shade, No Sunblock.

 

You really need sunscreen every day. Yes, even when it's cloudy, raining, or snowing. Sun exposure causes sunspots, skin damage, and even leads to skin cancer. Using a simple daily moisturizer/sunscreen combo is best but make sure it's at least 30 SPF. And don't forget to apply it to the ears and lips as they're the most commonly missed areas.

 

       5-                Not Applying  Moisturizer

Skin is meant to keep bad things out of your body, and moisturizing is imperative for a healthy skin barrier, which is why you shouldn't skip out on using moisturizers daily.

 

       6-                Skipping the Neck.

If your skincare routine stops at your jawline, you're doing it wrong. Your neck needs some love too. In fact, the neck is one of the first areas of the body to show signs of aging because the skin is thinner than on your face. Also staring at our cell phones with our necks bent all the time isn't doing us any favors.

 

        7-                Over-exfoliate with harsh scrubs.

While exfoliation is important in moderation, it's easy to overdo it with exfoliating scrubs, especially when your skin is feeling dry. Overdoing it can cause tiny tears in the skin, leading to the development of a rash-like texture and uneven tone, like patchy, red blotches. Breakouts are another common reaction, especially small, rough, bumpy pimples. If you're using a scrub on your face, you should do it max two times per week.

 

      8-                Ever-changing routines and too many products.

As fun as it can be to try new skincare products, doing so too frequently can create more questions and problems. Most ingredients will take at least four to six weeks of consistent use before noticeable changes. Also, know that if you have a negative reaction, it's gonna be really hard to pinpoint the cause if you introduce two to three products simultaneously.

 

        9-                Falling for social media fads.

TikTok and social media in general is loaded with skincare knowledge. But it's important to remember that miracle cures don't exist, and some of the hacks we see online are complete BS.

Also, do not assume what works for a friend or celeb will work for you. Everyone has unique skincare needs, issues and goals. And it's probably important to add that there's a lot of surgery and Photoshopping at play online.

 

        10-           Forgetting that skin is its own organ.

The skin needs to be looked after just like all the other organs in our bodies. Consider getting regular skin exams especially if you have a family history, use tanning beds, or had many sunburns in the past. Knowing what's normal for you is incredibly important as well. So if you see a mold change or a new one appear, that's definitely worth a visit to your doctor.

Let us know what skincare mistakes you have been doing in the comments And how did it effect you skin. If you know know any mistakes that are missing from the above list please don't hesitate to share it with us in the comments down below.