When it comes to maintaining beautiful skin, it seems there are a million factors to balance. Serums, moisturizing, sun exposure, supplements, medication… sometimes, it can feel like the planets need to align for you to find your perfect skincare routine.
However, the problem may not be that you’re not doing enough, but sometimes it can be that you’re doing too much. In this article, we want to walk you through some of the most common skincare mistakes that people make, and how you can achieve better results with your skin by doing less.
Exfoliation is a great way to rid your skin of the dead cells that accumulate on your face, making it rough and dull. However, skincare experts recommend that you exfoliate no more than once or twice a week, and note that exfoliating more than that can actually harm your skin.
Both physical and chemical exfoliation treatments are usually abrasive, and overdoing it can irritate and weaken the soft and delicate skin on your face. The most obvious signs that you are over-exfoliating are:
So, if you think you might be exfoliating a little too often, save yourself some time and cut back to 1-2 times weekly. Your skin will thank you for the break!
While the sun can help you achieve that healthy-looking glow for a season or two, long-term sun damage will wreak havoc on your skin! UV light can be dangerous without protection – the skin will produce more melanin to shield itself from the sun’s rays, but usually not before injury occurs.
UV damage to the skin over time may result in altered texture and loss of elasticity, both of which contribute to premature aging. Even more seriously, unprotected sun exposure can lead to skin cancer, which can be fatal.
So, for beautiful skin, you don’t necessarily need a 12-step skincare plan, but you do need sunscreen! Follow these tips to protect yourself and your skin:
Your hands come into direct contact with a TON of bacteria. Doorknobs, your cellphone, computers and laptops, the handle to flush the toilet, the toilet seat, TV remotes, other hands… you get the point. Unless we are washing our hands after every single time we come into contact with another person or surface, that bacteria can easily spread everywhere. Including our face, neck, hairline, chest, and anywhere else you might experience a breakout.
Touching your skin with dirty hands can transfer bacteria, which can clog pores and cause breakouts. Not to mention, this can also transfer more harmful bacteria and viruses that might make you sick. To keep your skin healthy and clean, wash your hands frequently, and do your best to avoid touching your face!
Just like touching your skin with dirty hands can increase your risk of clogged pores and breakouts, not washing your pillowcase regularly can mean a buildup of bacteria! When you sleep at night, you are likely transferring bacteria, dirt, oil, and even leftover makeup from your face to your pillowcase. Washing it once a week can be an effective way to keep your skin clean and clear.
Did you know that your body is mostly made up of water? A lot of that water is stored in your skin, to keep it plump and elastic. Additionally, water circulates in our bodies to transport important nutrients, regulate our temperature, and clear toxins from our system. We need a lot of water daily to keep our body and skin healthy!
When you’re dehydrated, water is pulled from your skin to help our internal organs function properly. This can leave it feeling dry, and prone to damage. It is important to stay hydrated to help maintain our skin’s health and appearance. Research has found that improving water intake can be helpful in improving the skin’s appearance, especially for those who are chronically dehydrated. [1] However, skincare expert, Kathleen C. Suozzi, MD, director of aesthetic dermatology at Yale Medicine and assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, notes “Excessive hydration is unlikely to benefit the skin.”
So, aim for about 64 oz of water daily (that’s eight 8 oz glasses of water), to optimally hydrate your body and your skin!
You can optimize your skincare routine by avoiding these common mistakes. Another great way to build up your daily skin routine is with Complete Collagen+.
The powerful ingredients of this supplement provide you with amazing benefits for your skin and hair. It’s a true powerhouse supplement!