6 Skincare Mistakes Almost Everyone Makes

You’ve had your hair done, put on your new outfit and grabbed your favourite handbag, but something still isn’t right.

If your skin feels dull and tired, no amount of accessories or highlights are going to achieve the look you really want. Glowing, healthy skin is the best way to complete any look.

Of course, some people are naturally blessed, but most of us aren’t so lucky. By avoiding these common skincare mistakes you can improve your complexion and always feel confident when leaving the house.

Mistake #1. Sleeping with your makeup on

We all know it’s a bad idea, but we do it anyway.

It’s late, you’re tired, what harm could it do to crash out without removing your makeup just this once?

Well, quite a bit of harm it turns out.

Left-on foundation traps dead skin cells and prevents your skin from restoring the moisture it’s lost throughout the day. This can result in dehydrated skin, a sallow complexion and puffy eyes.

“Beauty sleep” is an actual thing, with sleep necessary to ensure the maintenance of your skin as well as the rest of your body. But even a thin layer of makeup can set you back, with outbreaks more likely.

Mistake #2. Not replacing makeup regularly

When you have a bulging makeup bag it can be easy to forget how long certain products have been languishing in there. Makeup often has a reasonably lengthy shelf life, but just like anything else, it doesn’t last forever!

Eye makeup, in particular, should be replaced approximately every three months. A mascara wand can become home to some pretty nasty pathogens that can find their way onto your skin and result in inflammation, rashes and even eye infections.

Many products will have a symbol indicating how long it can be kept for, but if in doubt don’t use it. Old makeup can cause irritation to the skin so use this as an excuse to treat yourself to something new!

It’s also important to keep your makeup brushes clean, as they pick up dead skin and bacteria which you really don’t want to be reapplying to your face! There are specialist products available but washing with an anti-bacterial soap will do the job just as well.

Mistake #3. It’s not all about the face

Many of us think of our skincare routine as being all about the face. After all, that’s where you tend to see signs of ageing right?

However, the neck and chest can also be damaged by the sun and will soon start to show their age. Extend your skincare routine to these areas and you will see much better results.

Mistake #4. Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)

As Baz Luhrmann said back in 1997 ‘If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it’. He wasn’t wrong. So many of us only think about sunscreen when we’re planning on catching some rays, but sunscreen isn’t just for the beach. Sunscreen should be worn every day come rain or shine. Your skin will absorb UV light even on an overcast day, and nothing ages the skin quite like the sun does. In fact, it is estimated that 90% of visible ageing comes from time spent in the sun.

Make sure you use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. When you’re using it every day it is unlikely to last long anyway, but remember that sunscreen has an expiration date and you shouldn’t use it beyond that point as its effectiveness begins to diminish.

Mistake #5. Face touching

We’ve all had it drummed into us throughout the coronavirus pandemic that face touching should be avoided, and this has made most of us realise just how much we do it! Touching your face throughout the day is also bad for your skin as you transfer oils and bacteria from your hands to your face.

By avoiding touching your face you can help stop the spread of germs and keep your skin in tip-top condition!

Mistake #6. Not all skincare comes from the outside

There are so many skincare products available on the market that it’s easy to forget that the best way to care for your skin comes from within.

Drink plenty of water. Not only does water hydrate the skin, but it will also rid the skin of toxins. Drinking around eight glasses of water a day will improve your complexion and you should see fewer wrinkles, as hydrated skin has more elasticity.

A well-balanced diet isn’t just good for your waistline – it’s key to maintaining healthy-looking skin. Try to reduce refined sugar where possible and include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables in your meals. The benefits of eating well will soon shine through in your glowing complexion!

Author bio

Ellie Rush is Outreach Executive at The Cleaning Collective and is a Friends superfan, sharing her passion for household cleanliness with Monica Geller. With the recent introduction of health and beauty products at The Cleaning Collective, she’s enjoying discovering exciting new products and sharing skincare hints and tips with fellow bloggers.

This is a collaborative post.

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