Most Common Skincare Mistakes You're Making (Guest Post)

The market is full to the brim with various skincare products. Sometimes, we are so overwhelmed by the number of different choices we do not know which one to use. However, choosing a right product is not an end to our problems. We are not aware of many other skincare routines we do wrong, but which can damage our skin. The article consists of 5 most common skincare mistakes you may catch yourself making.

Not Drinking Enough Water

You have certainly read articles about beneficial effects of water on your skin complexion. Some beauty and health magazines even suggest that just by increasing water intake, you will get rid of wrinkles and other signs of aging once and for all. There is no scientific evidence to prove this.

However, what experts advise is to drink 8 glasses of water every day. The skin is an organ, just like our heart and brain. In order to function properly, organs need water. The 30% of water in our skin plays a key role in maintaining plumpness, elasticity and resiliency. Dehydration leaves us with dry, tight skin and dry skin leaves us with more wrinkles. In other words, increasing water intake may not combat wrinkles, but it can certainly prevent them for the time being.

Not Enough Sleep

No anti-aging treatment can help you if you have the habit of pulling all-nighters. Beauty sleep has become reality. It is free. Why don’t you start reaping the benefits of sleep on your skin right now?

While you sleep, cells in your body start renewing. Sleep is a repair mode when old cells die and new ones grow. Furthermore, sleep loss causes your body to release a stress hormone, cortisol more than usual. Too much cortisol breaks down collagen, a protein which gives the skin its firmness and elasticity. Not getting enough sleep can also affect the release of a human growth hormone, whose main function is tissue repair. Finally, a study confirmed that poor sleepers have increased signs of aging.

Not Wearing Sunscreen

According to experts, a sunscreen should be applied in both summer and winter. Sunscreens protect us from UVA and UVB radiation. UVA rays are less intense than UVB rays, but they penetrate deeper into the skin than their counterparts. UVA rays are present during all day. Too much exposure to UVA rays can lead to skin aging and wrinkling and even cancer. Even though UVB rays penetrate only into the first epidermal layers resulting in sunburn and redness, they can also cause skin cancer and photoaging. The Skin Cancer Foundation argues that a sunscreen with SPFs of 15 and higher can give us adequate protection.

Going to Bed With Make-up On

No matter how tired you are after a night out, always clean your face before you go to bed. First of all, make-up on your face during sleep clogs and stretches pores. As you age and the amount of skin collagen is decreasing, pores will not return to their normal size that easily. Additionally, if you skip on removing make-up before bed, free radicals can be produced, which can result in collagen damage. Less collagen, more wrinkles.

The advice we can give you is to leave make-up removers and pads on the night table to remind yourself of this important beauty routine.

Exfoliating and Moisturizing Too Much

Although exfoliating and moisturizing are one of the basic skincare routines, doing this too often can damage your skin. Over-exfoliating causes redness, dry skin and it can lead to damage of the barrier function of the skin. On the other hand, applying too much of a moisturizer can result in breakouts and it can be more difficult to apply make-up.

Apply an exfoliant one or two times a week. A dab of it is enough for your face. When it comes to a moisturizer, you can use it two times a day. A nickel-sized amount for your whole face is recommended. For example, ASAP skin care line has great cleansing and soothing gels appropriate for any skin type.

Have you made some of these mistakes during your skin care routines? Are there any other recommendations you can give us?

About the Author

Amy Mia Goldsmith is a literature graduate from Melbourne who loves to write short stories and reviews. Amy is a regular contributor at High Style Life. Her passion is beauty and makeup and she loves to spend her free time travelling and of course – make up shopping! You can contact Amy on her Facebook page.

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