Yahoo News 7 Ways You’re Seriously Screwing With Your Skin
[Photo: Getty]
Does it feel like your skin is never at it’s best, even when you’re actively trying to look after it? Despite healthy eating, a detailed skincare routine and a cupboard bursting with beauty products, there are several things that you may be doing which is actually having a negative impact on your skin. In fact, you could be ageing your skin without even knowing.
Don’t delay, find out today what you need to STOP doing to your skin.
[Photo: Getty]
1. Stop Scrubbing
We admit, it is strangely satisfying to try and slough off ALL the imperfections on your face but applying too much pressure can create fine lines, as well as damaging the surface of your skin. The large particles in some facial scrubs can actually end up scratching the skin, making it more prone to infection, redness and sensitivity.
Grainy scrubs are more suited to the thicker skin on your body but for the face, try a gentle powder exfoliator, avoid apricot scrubs and look for rice bran or enzymes, like this Indeed Labs Facial Powder Exfoliator £18.99.
2. Stop Using Alcohol
Alcohol is a favourite of many but we all know the damage it does to skin from the inside. Imagine the damage that alcohol does to skin when applied directly. Why would you? Shockingly, a large number of high street products include Alcohol as one of it’s key ingredients (look at it’s position in the Ingredients list, the more alcohol there is, the higher up it will appear) Ever wonder why your skin feels dry and tight after using an toner? Likely it has alcohol in it.
Avoid anything which has Alcohol as one of it’s main ingredients (unless it’s a cocktail!)
[Photo: Liz Earle]
3. Keep It Current
Facialist Abigail James, official Treatment Ambassador at Liz Earle, says that it’s easy to fall into the routine of using the same skincare from when we were younger. You may have had oily skin before but now your skin is drier and more mature so it needs different products.
Don’t keep using a product just because it used to do wonders for your skin - consider your skin’s current needs and change your routine to suit.
4. Avoid Over-Cleansing
Who doesn’t love the feeling of squeaky-clean skin? However, in the fight to deep clean your pores, you risk stripping the skin of valuable oils and much needed moisture. Without the natural balance of oils, your skin over-compensates for this by producing MORE oil and leading to breakouts.
If your skin feels tight after cleansing, you’re probably overdoing it. Try a cream or oil-based cleanser like BalanceMe Face Balm £20.
[Photo: Getty]
5. Not Paying Attention To Your Neck
We have fancy creams for the face, but do you remember to include your neck? The skin on your neck is the same as your face, it needs cleansing, toning and moisturising too! Avoid the dreaded ‘turkey neck’ and make sure the skin on your neck (and decolletage) gets the treatment it deserves.
We love slathering our necks in facial oil overnight - try Boots Botanics Organic Facial Oil £9.99 for a light-weight oil which absorbs quickly.
6. Act Your (Skin) Age
The latest Glycolic Acid Peel Facial Serum/Magic Cream might be raved about in the magazines but using super-strength products can be awful for skin which doesn’t need it and can actually cause sensitivity and intolerance issues.
If you’re barely in your twenties, you don’t need to be using heavy-duty anti ageing serums and potions which are all designed for much more mature skin. Similar to how you wouldn’t advise a chemical peel, lift or Botox to a teenager, don’t fall into the trap of using powerful products too soon.
[Photo: Getty]
7. Not Wearing SPF
Yes, we know that the weather here is not often sunny but UV rays will damage and age your skin, even on a cloudy day. You might normally associate sunscreen with that thick, day-glo white cream from your summer holidays but modern formulations have resulted in breathable, light-wearing SPF so there’s no excuse! We love Shu Uemura Underbase Mousse £14.50 - we couldn’t even tell we were wearing it!
Are you guilty of any of these skincare sins? Tweet us @YahooStyleUK and let us know!
