Routine advice
7 Skincare Mistakes You Might Not Know You're Making
Maintaining healthy skin isn’t just about the products you use. It’s also about how you use them. And, with so much contradictory information out there, it’s easy to fall into small but impactful h…
Maintaining healthy skin isn’t just about the products you use. It’s also about how you use them. And, with so much contradictory information out there, it’s easy to fall into small but impactful habits that can quickly sabotage your skin’s health and appearance. So, let’s dig into the most common skincare errors people make and how to fix them.
1. MISTAKE: Avoiding moisturiser because your skin is oily
This is undoubtedly one of the most common errors people make when it comes to their skincare routine. Although you might think you’re doing your oily skin a favour by skipping a moisturiser, you’re actually making the problem worse! Starving your skin of essential hydration creates dryness (even in oily skin types), which then causes the skin to produce even more oil in order to compensate for the lack of moisture.
SOLUTION: Use a lightweight, oil-free moisturiser – especially one which helps to balance your skin’s delicate pH and oil production levels.
2. MISTAKE: Letting your skincare products go out of date
Yes, you read that correctly. Your skincare products expire! And using them past their expiry date can result in reduced effectiveness, bacteria spread, and irritation – particularly with active ingredients like and vitamin A (/retinal). SOLUTION: Pay attention to the product’s PAO (period after opening) symbol, which tells you how long you have to use your product at its optimal effectiveness after opening it. PAOs usually appear in months, e.g. 6M = 6 months and 12M = 12 months.
3. MISTAKE: Not applying sunscreen 365 days a year
That’s right! Even in the winter you should be applying a sunscreen every morning. Not only are the sun’s UV rays the biggest cause of skin cancer, but they are also responsible for an estimated 80-90% of premature skin ageing [1] (e.g. wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and loss of skin elasticity). SOLUTION: Ensure you are applying sunscreen every single day, ideally opting for an 50 during the summer months and an SPF 30 during the winter months. You should also reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours when in direct sunlight.
4. MISTAKE: Not altering your routine as the seasons change
Many people underestimate the effects that the weather and temperature changes can have on our delicate skin. While freezing temperatures and cold winds cause extreme dryness and irritation for many skin types, the blistering summer heat, UV rays, and even air-con can also wreak havoc on our skin’s overall health and appearance. SOLUTION: Focus on nourishment and support during autumn/winter to prevent moisture loss and sensitivity, and enhanced sun protection and skin pH balance during the warmer months to avoid sun damage and excess oil production.
5. MISTAKE: Touching your skin without washing your hands first
I know it sounds obvious, but if I had £1 for every person I have seen applying their makeup or picking a spot after holding the hand rail on the tube then I’d be a very wealthy woman. Touching your face, in any capacity, without clean hands leads to the spread of bacteria which quickly multiplies on your skin and clogs your pores causing spots, irritation and even worsening existing breakouts. SOLUTION: Always wash your hands before applying your skincare and makeup and, if you must scratch that itchy nose, try and do so with a clean tissue or sleeve rather than your fingers. Which brings us to…
6. MISTAKE: Not washing your makeup brushes weekly
In the same way that bacteria accumulates on your hands, it also builds up on your makeup brushes along with product residue and excess oil. When bacteria collects on your brushes, it spreads directly to your skin causing clogged pores, breakouts and irritation before transferring directly back into your products. SOLUTION: Wash brushes weekly with dedicated brush cleaner solution or mild dish soap to prevent the cyclical spread of impurities and bacteria.
7. MISTAKE: Using products intended for the face around your eyes
It may surprise you to know that the skin around your eyes is quite different to the rest of your face. The under-eye skin is much thinner and more delicate, making it particularly prone to dryness, sensitivity and accelerated signs of ageing. Because it’s so thin, it also absorbs products quickly, meaning it can become easily irritated by formulas that are otherwise fine when applied to the rest of your face. SOLUTION: Only use formulas around your eyes that are specifically intended for that use. This is particularly important when it comes to actives like vitamin C and vitamin A (retinol/retinal).
[1] United States Environmental Protection Agency, Sunscreen: The Burning Facts, September 2006.
