There are many things that you should do and shouldn’t do when it comes to your skincare routine. Sometimes figuring out what we shouldn’t do is just as important as finding out what we should do. We should not do a few things in our skincare routine, and we will discuss them in today’s blog post.
Over exfoliation
Exfoliating your skin is essential to maintaining healthy skin. Exfoliating your skin can result in bright and clearer-looking skin. However, if you over-exfoliate too often, it can lead to severe skin problems. A rule of thumb is to exfoliate 1-2 times a week. If you have oilier skin, you could get away with exfoliating three times a week, depending on your specific skin type. If you end up over-exfoliating, some common symptoms include redness and irritated and inflamed skin. In addition, your skin might feel dry and flaky and can even result in a rash-like texture. Over time, over-exfoliation can lead to your skin losing elasticity, damaging the skin barrier.
What To Do Instead
If you’re experiencing any over-exfoliation symptoms, it’s best to stop using all active products for at least a month. Instead, find skincare products that are gentle and have calming and hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, squalene, shea butter, glycerin, etc. If you need immediate relief, you can use a cold compress to stop the burning sensation. Also, remember to use SPF during the day to protect your skin and not cause further damage to your sensitive skin. In the future, when you’re ready to try exfoliating your skin again, it’s best to choose the proper exfoliation method for your skin. Try either chemical or physical exfoliants and determine which one works best for your skin. Another thing to note is to be gentle when exfoliating your skin and to introduce new products one at a time.
Pore Strips
Pore strips are a quick way to get rid of blackheads on your nose. But does it work? Experts say that pore strips don’t actually work that well and here’s why. Pore strips can only get rid of the top of your blackheads, but they don’t solve the root cause of why you have blackheads. Pore strips cannot get deep down to the root of the blackhead, therefore, leaving your pore exposed, and it will get clogged again. Once your pore gets clogged again, it might make your nose oilier because your skin will produce more oil to compensate for the lost oil. In addition, by using pore strips, you could be enlarging your pores instead of minimizing them.
What To Do Instead
If you want to get rid of your blackheads, the best thing to do is to use cleansers and serums made with AHA or BHA. These acids can penetrate deep inside the pores to remove sebum, dead skin, and dirt. It will take consistency to see full results, but over time, it will minimize and shrink the appearance of your blackheads. Another thing you can do to help minimize your blackheads is trying oil cleansing. Oil cleansing is excellent because it’s gentle on the skin and can dissolve the oil and dirt in your pores. It would help if you also used a clay or charcoal-based mask once a week to help clarify and to pull out the toxins from your pores. If the problem persists, you can always go to your dermatologist and perform an in-office treatment like chemical peels.
Taking Hot Showers/Baths
Taking a hot shower or bath can feel so relaxing, and it is one of the best feelings in the world. But did you know that using hot water can negatively affect your skin? Hot water can take away the good oils from your skin, therefore leaving your skin dehydrated. In severe cases, hot showers can damage your skin and cause itchy, red, and flaky skin. Using hot water can even irritate acne and cause it to spread!
What To Do Instead
Instead of taking hot showers or baths, you should use lukewarm water and limit your time in the shower or bath. If you are experiencing irritated skin from hot showers, then it’s best to take cold showers. Cold showers will help to reduce the itching feeling and has anti-inflammatory effects. Another great tip is that you should apply a hydrating cream on your skin right after a shower to lock the moisture in! Using a cream on damp skin will work best, making your skin soft and hydrated.
What are some of your tips when it comes to skincare don’ts? Let us know in the comment section below!