5 Skincare mistakes to avoid

5 Skincare mistakes to avoid

Are you tired of your skin not responding to all the efforts you put into making it look clearer, smoother and more beautiful? We’ve all been there. Despite following a skincare routine to the T, our skin still keeps acting out, with all the break outs, dull complexion and dry texture. 

So if you’re apparently doing everything right, what could be the reason?

Well, it’s likely that you’re making some common skincare mistakes that aren’t letting you reap the fruits of your efforts. Maybe you are overusing a product to attain quick results, which can lead to irritation of the skin and even cause redness and inflammation. Or, you might be skipping some essential steps, considering them to be unnecessary.

To help you better understand these common mistakes that many people usually make, we've curated a list of them, so you can bust them and achieve the flawless skin you covet. 

  • Not removing makeup before going to bed

  • You might have heard this a lot but no matter how much emphasis we put on this, it won’t be enough. Because despite knowing of the havoc it can wreck on the skin, many people still make this mistake. A lot. Makeup tends to get oilier if it's put on the face for too long and if it stays for the night, it can clog your pores and lead to breakouts. The substances that make your makeup can also cause skin irritation and redness when left overnight on the skin. Going to bed without removing the day’s makeup also means that the dirt and sweat accumulated throughout the day doesn’t get removed, which can further cause harm to the skin. This is why it’s extremely important to always remove your makeup before going to bed with a gentle cleanser and then applying a nourishing moisturizer as the skin repairs, renews and rejuvenates itself at night. 

  • Skimping sunscreen

  • Many people skip sunscreen and don’t consider it an imperative part of skincare. They also consider it to be unnecessary and regard it as a chore. However, sunscreen is extremely important, even if you plan to stay indoors all day, and more so if you’re heading out. Not applying sunscreen can result in major skin concerns in the long run. The UV rays can damage the collagen and connective tissue in your skin, which can lead to early aging, wrinkles and saggy skin. Hence it's really important to add sunscreen to your skincare routine, which will act as a protective barrier for your skin against the harmful rays on the sun. Also, don’t forget your neck and lips! 

  • Over-exfoliating the skin

  • Exfoliating is a great way to remove dead skin cells and help give your skin a smoother, clearer and brighter look. However,  over-exfoliating can be damaging for the skin as it can strip the skin off its natural oils, resulting in dry, flaky and inflamed skin. If you see any of these signs on your face, reduce how often you exfoliate or look into your exfoliator to determine whether the ingredients are suitable for your skin or not to begin with. For example, lactic acid is a great option for those with sensitive skin as it also contains hydrating properties, while salicylic acid is best suited to those with acne prone and oily skin. 

  • Skipping toner 

  • Many people tend to skip toner in their skincare routine but it’s actually an indispensable part of any effective routine. Toning the skin post cleansing helps to remove any leftover residue and impurities, helps close open and enlarged pores and tightens the skin. It also calms and soothes any redness, swelling and inflammation, giving your skin a cooling sensation and relief. It also improves the effectiveness of other products, helping them absorb better and do their job of hydrating, nourishing and healing. It should be used regularly, preferably on a daily basis, once after cleansing the skin in the morning and the second time when doing your night time routine, after the removal of the makeup. 

    Leovard’s Tonic, a hydrating toner, helps to not only soothe and calm the skin, it also doubles as an effective aftershave, helping to combat razor bumps and ingrown hair, while also helping to control excessive oil production and fade blemishes and scars, as well as giving your skin a boost of hydration. 

  • Using products not meant for your skin  
  • Just because it worked for your friend, doesn’t mean it will for you as well. Each skin type is different and not all products work for every type. We often buy a product because of the hype it receives, only to realize that it doesn’t work for us at all. Infact, it messes up our skin big time. Sensitive skin requires gentler products, while those with oily skin need something to help manage the excess sebum and oil production. If the former skin type was to use the latter product, it would lead to excessively dry skin, along with inflammation. On the other hand, if the latter skin type was to use the former product, it won’t do much good in helping to clear out the impurities and lead to clogged pores. 

    Learning about your skin’s type, its unique needs and the ingredients and products meant to cater to them will help one achieve better results. Opting for organic and more natural skincare is better for everyone in the long run as it not only helps fix skin issues, it’s also more ethical and better for the environment. 

    Takeaway 

    The above list is not exhaustive, and there are several other mistakes that you could be making that’s keeping you from achieving the skin you want. And just a little research will help you overcome these mistakes, resulting in better skin in no time!


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