Your skin is one of the first things people notice when they look at you. So it needs to look good. You know this and so do skincare companies.
Statistics[1] show that skincare is big business. In the United States in 2019, facial cleansers alone produced sales of approximately 1.57 billion U.S. dollars.
So it’s apparent that people understand the importance of a good skincare routine. But having gorgeous skin involves more than just picking a great cleanser.
You also have to avoid destructive habits that can ruin your complexion. This article will list seven skincare sins that you should avoid if you want to have beautiful, radiant skin—and who doesn’t?
1. Avoid Product Overload.
Don’t use too many new skincare products at the same time. If you have an allergic reaction, you won’t know which product caused it. You will have to scale back on everything until your skin heals.
This process can take weeks. According to the National Institutes of Health, estimates show it can take 40-56 days for new skin cells to form at the epidermis, or top layer, of your skin.
So be patient and give your skin time to adjust to your new skincare product. Introduce one new product at a time.
Wait a month to see how your skin reacts to the product. Then introduce a new product that targets your specific skincare concerns.
2. Don’t Skip Sunscreen.
The sun plays a huge role in premature aging. It also makes hyperpigmentation, or dark spots, worse. Think about it, the sun naturally darkens your skin. It will also deepen dark spots.
UVA rays from the sun hit your skin when you are outside. But they also enter rooms through windows.
According to the National Institutes of Health, UVA rays activate enzymes in your skin called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that degrade the collagen in your skin and lead to the formation of wrinkles down the road. They are responsible for photo-aging and making you look old.
3. Don’t Smoke.
Another thing that ages the skin is smoking. Smoking impairs the turnover of the deeper layer of skin. It reduces collagen and elastin production, which leads to wrinkles.
When it gobbles up elastin in the deeper layers of the skin, you will start to see the complexion develop a yellow cast. As time passes, you’ll also notice a thick, leathery appearance of the skin.
Smoking also upregulates, or increases, MMP enzymes in the skin that chew up collagen, cause wrinkles, and create enlarged pores. Researchers conducted a study[2] involving a group of forty-seven smokers and fifty-one nonsmokers. The results were telling.
In comparison to nonsmokers, those who smoked had less collagen and higher levels of MMP. It confirmed that smoking rapidly speeds up the aging process of your skin.
4. Don’t Pick Your Skin.
Picking may feel good psychologically, but it doesn’t help improve your skin—this is especially true if you have acne. As you pick, you’ll introduce bacteria into the skin, which can make breakouts worse.
Also, when you scratch your skin, it will respond by upregulating inflammatory mediators that trigger dark spots and scarring. Train yourself not to pick your skin. Avoid looking in the mirror.
Place a pimple patch on top of a pimple when you’re at home to keep you from looking at it. Keep your hands busy.
You can exercise, knit, play an instrument, or play with your pets. If you pick to relieve stress, engage in mindfulness habits such as meditating instead.
5. Don’t Perform Extractions.
It won’t benefit you at all. If you have acne, squeezing it won’t help. You run the risk of scarring, infection, worsening acne, and making it painful. Don’t use comedone extractors on yourself.
When the pore’s contents are tightly packed, extracting won’t help release the gunk. Leave extractions to the pros. They know which lesions to use extractors on.
6. Don’t Man Handle Your Skin.
Dragging a cloth, cleansing wipe, or cotton pad across your face may seem harmless. But over time, the repeated act of aggressively rubbing your skin can lead to irritation.
This is especially true if you have sensitive skin. If you use cotton pads, choose the ones that have a smooth texture.
Make sure to wet the pad enough so that the dry surface doesn’t rub your skin the wrong way. Be as gentle as possible when swiping your skin.
Don’t apply pressure. You can simply dab the cotton pad onto your skin. Allow your skin to dry naturally, or lightly pat your skin dry with a kleenex.
7. Don’t Overuse Makeup Wipes.
More women are using makeup wipes and not just at night. They’re also whipping them out in the morning to start their cleansing routine.
They even keep them in their cars or throw them in their gym bags to remove makeup before working out. But using them every day can create problems.
A lot of wipes are harsh on the skin due to the ingredients. Alcohols and preservatives can be drying. Since you have to wipe hard to remove makeup, your skin can become irritated over time.
As a result, dark spots can develop. Tugging at your skin can cause wrinkles that not even the best anti-aging eye creams can remedy.
Key Takeaways
Your habits shape the state of your skin. Even if you have a flawless complexion, it won’t stay that way if you neglect it.
Wearing sunscreen and not smoking is non-negotiable if you want to prevent premature aging. If you suffer from acne, it’s important to avoid picking your skin or performing extractions.
Doing so can easily make your skin worse. Be gentle with your skin. Don’t tug at it while applying products.
Speaking of products, only introduce one new skincare product at a time. Also, it will help your skin if you don’t overuse makeup wipes.
Treat your skin with the tender loving care it deserves. Before you know it, you’ll have a complexion you can proudly show the world.
