If you’re a skincare enthusiast who puts extra time and effort into their skincare regimen, but are still not getting the desired results, chances are you’re making a few mistakes. It’s alright. All of us have slip-ups. Skincare requires patience, time, and consistency before the results begin to show. And one can get quite tired of waiting for them. At such a time, my advice for you would be to take a step back and observe. Is everything you’re doing correct? Or are you making some huge mistakes? Let me point out some common skincare mistakes so that you can identify them and avoid them forever.
1. Not Wearing Sunscreen
Sunscreen is the most important step in your skincare routine, and if you are skipping out on it, you’re definitely making a huge mess. This is because the toners or serums you use contain chemical exfoliants, whose main job is to shed dead skin cells and rejuvenate the skin. When dead skin cells are shed, and you’re not wearing sunscreen it exposes the new cells to the harmful rays of the sun which eventually results in fine lines and sunburn. So, it’s important for you to use sunscreen to protect your skin from potential harm. In a skincare routine, sunscreen is used in the daytime and is the last step before makeup. If you don’t like wearing sunscreen because of its texture, innovative products like sunscreen sprays and powders can also do the job for you. Another mistake you might be making is using tanning beds or tanning naturally in the sun. Both are horribly disastrous and can cause a lot of skin diseases including skin cancer. So from this day onwards never leave your sunscreen out and you’ll see great improvement soon!
2. Using Makeup Wipes
Using makeup wipes isn’t the best way to remove makeup. But why? What’s so horrible about them? They smell great, are convenient to use, and do their job pretty well. Well, those things are exactly the problem. Makeup wipes are usually not fragrance-free. While fragrance isn’t the worst thing in skincare, it is generally recommended to avoid it, as it can cause irritation to the skin and increase sensitivity. Second thing that makes them not so skin friendly is that the process of removing makeup with a wipe isn’t exactly gentle. It involves a lot of rubbing which can push the makeup inside the pores rather than removing it. This can lead to clogged pores resulting in pimples, or if you’re acne-prone, then acne. A better alternative would be to use oil-based cleansers and cleansing balms which can help remove the makeup very easily.
3. Using Scrubs on Face
Scrubs give a bright glow to the skin after immediate use, which is why they are so popular. But the way they work is quite dangerous. They’re usually made of walnut powder, coffee grounds, or oats. The skin on your face is a lot more sensitive than your other body parts. The irregular particles in the scrub often get pushed into the pores on your face, clogging them, or worse they cause micro-tears on your face. These micro-tears can weaken the skin barrier, increase its sensitivity, and even cause long-term damage. If you feel that your skin has got damaged after using scrubs, visit a Skin Specialist immediately for treatment.
4. Using DIY Masks
DIY masks can be pretty fun to use, but the truth is, they can cause long-term damage to the skin. Ingredients like lemon cause insensitivity to the skin, and coconut oil can really clog your pores. Dermatologists are actually quite against DIY since the average man is not really well-versed when it comes to facial skin. So, instead of using masks that are made without calculations, switch to skincare products which are carefully curated in laboratories under controlled conditions.
5. Over-exfoliating
If your skin looks red, dry, and increasingly sensitive, congrats, you’ve weakened your skin barrier. This can happen when you overuse exfoliating treatments. The best way to treat it would be visiting the Best Dermatologist in Karachi. If you’re new to skincare, this is a mistake bound to happen at least once. So, when you buy a new product, read up on it, and slowly incorporate it into your routine. Let your skin get used to it first, and you’ll see how good of a difference that can make.
