Doing right by our skin can do wonders for our appearance. A healthy, youthful look can be achieved through proper skincare habits and a commitment to behaviors that yield the best results for your skin.
Hopefully, you already have a regimen; however, it pays to double-check to ensure that you're not neglecting any key components to achieving great skin. When it comes to skincare, there are several significant mistakes that people tend to make, and it's important to be aware of these in order to properly care for your skin.
Read on to see if any of these mishaps are present in your skincare routine, and if you're just starting on a skincare journey, be sure to avoid these issues.
Spotting Your Skincare Mistakes
Despite our best intentions, lapses can happen, so MAVIAN has compiled a list of mistakes we think are worth mentioning because they can put a serious halt to your progress toward clear, healthy, and youthful skin.
1. Inadequate Cleansing and Improper Exfoliating
One of the most common mistakes is not properly cleansing the skin. This can lead to a buildup of dirt, oil, and makeup, which can clog pores and cause breakouts. It's important to wash your face twice a day, using a gentle cleanser that is appropriate for your skin type.
Many people combine their cleansing and exfoliating process, but a common mistake with this is over-exfoliating. Exfoliating the skin can help to prevent clogged pores, brighten the complexion, and improve overall skin texture. It's certainly a step we recommend!
However, while exfoliating can be beneficial for removing dead skin cells and promoting a healthy glow, doing it too often or using poor tools can lead to irritation and dryness. It's important to find the right balance and use the proper skincare tools and products that protect your skin during the exfoliation process.
2. Failing to Moisturize
It can be tempting to settle for a clean, fresh face. Once you've cleansed, your face can feel smooth and your skin invigorated. We're here to tell you don't stop there! Make sure after cleansing, you have moisturizer at the ready.
When you don't moisturize your skin, it can lead to a range of issues. The skin can become dry, dehydrated, and rough to the touch. This is because the natural oils and moisture that keep your skin soft and supple are not being replenished. Over time, dry skin can become itchy and flaky.
Dry skin can also accelerate the aging process. When your skin lacks moisture, it can become more prone to wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging. This is because the skin loses its elasticity and firmness when it's dehydrated, which can lead to sagging and drooping.
Moisturizing your skin regularly is essential to keeping it healthy, hydrated, and protected. Applying a moisturizer can help lock in moisture and keep your skin looking and feeling soft, smooth, and youthful.
3. Underestimating Your Diet
A well-balanced diet can have a significant impact on the health of your skin! Consuming a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats can provide the essential nutrients required for healthy skin.
For example, vitamin C found in citrus fruits and leafy greens can help produce collagen, which is essential for skin elasticity and firmness. Similarly, vitamin A found in sweet potatoes, carrots, and spinach can help repair skin cells and prevent premature aging.
Incorporating foods rich in antioxidants, such as berries, dark chocolate, and green tea, can help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage skin cells and accelerate the aging process. (1) Antioxidants neutralize these harmful molecules, keeping your skin healthy and youthful.
Consuming foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, avocados, and flax seeds, can help keep the skin moisturized and reduce inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce redness, swelling, and irritation. They can also help protect the skin from harmful UV rays and improve overall skin texture.
Here's another tip: consuming excessive amounts of sugar, processed foods, and dairy products can lead to inflammation and breakouts. These foods can cause a spike in insulin levels, leading to the production of excess sebum, which can clog pores and cause acne. (2)
4. Skipping Sunscreen
Not wearing sunscreen daily is also a major mistake that many people make. Sun exposure can lead to premature aging, skin damage, and even skin cancer. It's important to wear sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day, even on cloudy days or when you're inside.
The American Academy of Dermatology has some excellent suggestions for the correct application of sunscreen. (3)
- Apply enough sunscreen to cover all skin not covered by clothing
- When applying to the face, don't forget your neck, your ears, and the top of your head
- Apply sunscreen to dry skin 15 minutes before going outdoors.
- Skin cancer also can form on the lips. To protect your lips, apply a lip balm or lipstick that contains sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
- When outdoors, reapply sunscreen approximately every two hours or after swimming or sweating, according to the directions on the bottle
It's important to find a routine with tools and products that work for you. It's important to stick with it to allow your skin to adjust and benefit from the consistent use of the products you choose. We want you to know that those products matter!
The proper ingredients and correct formula can go a long way to ensuring you get the best results from your regimen!
Certain ingredients can help to hydrate and nourish the skin, while others can cause irritation or even allergic reactions. Some ingredients may be more effective at treating specific skin concerns, such as acne or wrinkles, while others may be better suited for sensitive or dry skin types.
It's important to pay attention to the ingredients in your skincare products and choose ones that are appropriate for your skin type and concerns.
6. The Wrong Mindset
Some individuals might believe skin care isn't for them, or they don't have enough time. Proper skincare really is for everyone!
Taking care of your skin is essential for everyone because the skin is the largest organ in the body and acts as a protective barrier against environmental factors such as UV radiation, pollution, and bacteria. Skincare helps maintain the health of your skin, preventing premature aging, dryness, and other skin-related conditions.
Additionally, a good skincare routine can help prevent more serious skin problems from developing, such as skin cancer.
You might feel as though your skin looks and feels fine now but over time the consequences of a skincare routine that's lacking could catch up to you!
Minimize Mistakes With MAVIAN
MAVIAN has products and tools to make your skincare routine a successful one! We know the right approach may not always be a no-brainer, so we're here to provide you with knowledge, support, and, most importantly, great products.
Shop our premium skincare line that offers an exceptional, spa-like experience at home. We're focused on delivering quality essentials for the ultimate, mistake-free skincare routine!
- "Why You Should Care About Free Radicals." Cleveland Clinic, 18 July 2022, health.clevelandclinic.org/free-radicals.
- "Acne." National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/acne.
- "Sunscreen FAQs." American Academy of Dermatology Association, www.aad.org/media/stats-sunscreen.
