Every solid basic skincare routine needs three things: the right products, consistency and good education. Knowing how to take care of your skin is important — but so is knowing what things you should avoid. In this article, DLK on Avenue explores 10 bad skincare habits everyone should avoid.
Following these tips can help you invest in your skin, brighten your complexion and keep your skin looking and feeling fresh and vibrant.
You should wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30-50 every day, even during winter. Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or 50 blocks 98% to 99% of the sun’s rays. These rays can damage your skin by breaking down collagen and elastin fibers, discoloring the surface (epidermis) and causing broken capillaries.
Keep sunscreen in your car, and make application a part of your morning routine. Just applying it to your face, arms and exposed legs in warm weather can have a huge difference on the elasticity and balance of your complexion as you age.
One way to revitalize skin that’s experienced sun damage is intense pulse light (IPL) therapy. This state-of-the-art treatment helps rejuvenate the skin from beneath the surface using painless light technology.
Another option is to undergo non-ablative skin resurfacing, which revitalizes a damaged complexion and promotes natural healing.
Your skin naturally sheds dead skin cells, but exfoliation still plays a vital role in maintaining vibrant, healthy skin. Exfoliation removes excess skin cells and encourages natural collagen production; treatments like chemical peels and microdermabrasion go the extra mile and penetrate deeper to give your skin a thorough peel.
At-home exfoliation can be great too, but only when you use it wisely. Exfoliating too often harms your skin, makes it more sensitive, can cause inflammation and even increase your risk of infection.
Even the best makeup for healthy skin can still clog pores and lead to acne and irritation. You should always cleanse your skin before bed, and make sure that you remove any makeup before sleeping. Even if you can’t fully wash your face, carry some makeup remover pads that will help you remove products from your skin. This can help you keep your complexion bright and prevent dryness, irritation and dullness.
If you often rely on makeup to cover an uneven complexion, consider treatments like microneedling, chemical peels or lasering to refresh your skin.
You can accidentally cause skin irritation, dryness, dullness and acne if you use products that don’t have the right formula or ingredients for your skin. For example, someone with oily skin shouldn’t use products that contain ingredients more likely to clog pores, such as beeswax and mineral oils. Likewise, someone with dry skin should avoid products that are too acidic and could further strip their skin of natural oils.
When it comes to establishing healthy skincare habits, get in the process of mastering the skincare routine order. In the morning, use a gentle cleanser, followed by a toner, moisturizer and sunscreen. In the evening, use a gentle makeup remover, cleanser, then a retinol, serum, and moisturizer.
With so many skincare products available today, it’s easy to get swept up in always trying the next best thing. However, combining too many products on your skin can cause irritation and throw off your skin’s natural pH balance. This can cause sensitivity, dryness and irritation.
Additionally, using too many products can also reduce their effectiveness. When you have too many products layered on your skin, they can’t effectively penetrate the skin barrier.
Opt for some dermatologist-recommended products, and avoid trying every trendy product. In reality, you only need a handful of good skincare products to get phenomenal results!
It may be a bad habit you don’t think much of, but skin picking can lead to scarring and breakouts. Every time you touch your face, dirt and bacteria from your fingertips transfer onto your skin. This can cause infections to spread, ultimately leading to inflammation and acne.
Avoid skin picking whenever you can, and remind yourself that acne heals best when it’s left to do so naturally.
Every morning and evening, you should gently cleanse your face. Pat dry rather than scrub. If you have sensitive skin, you may only choose to wash at night. Another important consideration is your activity level. If you workout and break a sweat often, you should always cleanse your face as soon as possible to prevent clogged pores, inflammation and dryness.
Smoking anything is harmful to your health, and your skin is no exception. Smoking causes signs of early aging, leads to age spots, and increases your risk of cancer. Avoiding any contact with cigarette smoke is vital to protecting your lungs and skin. Even secondhand smoke exposure is dangerous.
It’s okay to enjoy alcohol in moderation, but overconsumption dries out your skin. Without ample nutrition and hydration, skin becomes dry, more prone to breakouts and dull. Not to mention, drinking too much is equally bad for your liver and organs. Limit alcohol intake whenever you can, and prioritize your well-being.
Physical activity impacts the entire body. Without adequate exercise, you can age faster and experience health problems that negatively impact your skin. Exercise also helps activate cellular processes that increase skin hydration, leaving your complexion looking brighter, healthier and more youthful.
DLK on Avenue is the premier dermatology clinic in Toronto. We offer the leading treatments for common skin concerns like skin laxity, wrinkles, fine lines, sun spots, hyperpigmentation and even hair loss. Book a consultation with our team today to kickstart your healthy skincare routine!