5 Common Skincare Mistakes

None of us are perfect, and we are all guilty of committing some kind of skincare mistakes one way or another. A few weeks ago we talked about the common face cleansing mistakes people make (here), and today, let's talk about five common, yet major skincare mistakes that people make when it comes to taking care of their skin.

Thinking That Products Alone Can Change Your Skin

Skincare products do help, of course, but remember, our skin is the largest organ of our body. While vitamins and nutrients from food can help the skin repair and rebuild, other elements from food can cause inflammations and damages to the skin.

For example, dairy and gluten influence the hormone receptors in the skin and increase our body's mucus production (bacteria loves this kind of environment), subsequently causing acne and inflammations; sugar can aggravate skin conditions such as acne and eczema by affecting our hormones and causing inflammations, and it can also break down collagen through the glycation process; whereby fried food can change the cell membrane structure of the skin, making it more difficult for the cells to eliminate their waste... And the list goes on.

Solution: Make a food diary to learn what kind of food affects your skin. For example, if potato chips always give you pimples, stop eating them, because the reality is, even the best anti-acne products won't stop pimples from appearing unless you stop eating those chips! Also, choose a product that can provide plenty nutrients, vitamins, trace elements, as well as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits to the skin.

KLUR
Stellar Restoration Corrective Complex  <- Click to shop

Featuring star ingredient 1.8% Encapsulated Retinol, as well as White Tea and Green Tea Extract, 1.5% Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, 2 forms of Vitamin C, Licorice Root, Gotu Kola, Willow Bark, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate and Squalane, the powerful yet gentle watery serum stimulates collagen synthesis and rejuvenates skin to effectively reduce wrinkles, acne and hyperpigmentation, smooth skin texture, slow aging, and minimize pores in a soothing, hydrating way.

Expecting Products To Work Instant Miracles

Skin regenerates itself, as basal cells in the innermost layer of the epidermis, which consist of keratinocytes and melanocytes, continue to divide and push older ones up toward the surface of the skin to get shed off. This process can take anywhere from 28 days to even 60 days as we age, and this impacts when you'll see the actual results of any given product——particularly a product aimed at seriously transforming the condition of your skin, such as hyperpigmentation and wrinkles. For instance, we know you want to get rid of your acne marks right away, but the pigmented skin cells do need time to shed before revealing new skin!

Solution: Let your skin turn over at least a couple of times before you pass judgement on a product, and don’t trust any products that claim to transform your skin in 7 days, because that is just physically impossible. You may also want to use exfoliating products to help speed up the skin's turnover process.

OUMERE
No. 9 Exfoliant <- Click to shop

Contains natural effective yet gentle AHAs, BHAs and PHAs, together with Goldenseal, Licorice Root, Mulberry, and Aloe Leaf Juice, etc., it removes dead skin cells, unclogs pores and prevents acne, speeds up the skin's renewal process, while providing anti-inflammatory and antibacterial actions.

Not Taking Care of The Lipid Barrier

The skin’s lipid barrier is made up of skin cells, lipids, and the skin’s natural moisturising factors. It exists to keep bacteria out and hydration in. By using harsh cleansers, physical scrubs, products with drying ingredients (hello alcohol), or even picking your skin, you risk damaging the barrier, resulting in sensitivity, flakiness, dehydration, redness, dryness, itching, acne and inflammation. And don’t forget, our natural production of lipids start to decline as we age, especially after the age of 40! 

Solution: Instead of harsh and drying products, choose products that are abundant in lipid loving ingredients, such as oils rich in essential fatty acids, to replace lipids in the skin, whilst repairing and protecting the lipid barrier.

AGENT NATEUR
holi(oil) Ageless Face Serum  <- Click to shop

With a base of Rice Bran Oil and Rosehip Oil, as well as actives including Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Calcium Ketogluconate, Damascus Rose Extract and Helichrysum and Sandalwood Oil, the lightweight holi(oil) reduces fine lines and wrinkles, promotes cell and collagen regeneration and self-hyaluronic acid production, reduces redness, soothes and improves rosacea and eczema, and effectively slows aging. The ingredients are also clinically-proven to actually reduce acne, scarring and hyperpigmentation!

Neglecting The Neck & Décolletage

Imagine a smooth face but crinkly neck and décolletage, that doesn’t look good, does it? In fact, it defeats all the purpose of doing anti-aging facial care! The truth is, the skin on the neck and décolletage is thinner and has fewer oil glands than the skin on the face, so it’s more likely to become dry due to a lack of natural hydration. Coupled with bad posture day in and day out, sun damage, natural loss of collagen... Voilà, wrinkles.

Solution: No, you don’t need a separate neck and décolletage cream. That is all marketing gimmick and a total waste of money. Simply use the same anti-aging skincare products you use for your face on your neck and chest. Consistency is key here.

TWELVE BEAUTY
Ideal Brightening Corrective Serum <- Click to shop

In addition to ample hydration, clinical studies have shown that the 12 powerful botanical ingredients, including Yarrow, Lemon Balm, Lady’s Mantle, and Mallow, work synergistically to effectively reduce the intensity of dark spots (including sun, age spots and acne scars), even skin tone, and brighten skin.

Washing The Face Before Washing The Hair

Hair products often contain silicones and other ingredients that make hair smooth and soft. That is all good. Unfortunately, when we wash our hair, water mixed with shampoo, conditioner, hair masks, and even dirt, often get to our faces. More often than not, we simply wipe it off with our towel, or worse yet, with the same towel we dry our hair. These ingredients then stay on the skin, and may cause irritations, redness, or worsen already existing acne and other skin conditions.

Solution: That’s why we recommend removing your makeup first, then shower and wash your hair, step out, do a second cleanse, and finally dry the face with a separate, clean towel.

MARIE REYNOLDS LONDON
Goji Mallow Cleanse™  <- Click to shop

A hydrating and nourishing cleanser with a marshmallow-like texture. Enriched with a natural super antioxidant blend of Goji Berries, Açaí Berries and Oat Silk, as well as nourishing oils like Frankincense, Avocado and Plum, it locks in moisture, provides essential nutrients, reduces inflammation and increases elasticity of the skin, all the while providing a gentle cleansing action.

Also in The Journal