Many people spend more than they bargained for on skin care products in an effort to achieve clear, youthful-looking skin.
Beauty enthusiasts rationalize that it’s harmless, but what really hurts is that even after using expensive serums and moisturizers, your skin ends up getting damaged.
Sometimes the culprit is common lifestyle factors like stress and hormonal imbalances, but it can also be due to skin care mistakes that people often make without realizing it.
Dr Dave Riley, skincare scientist at Absolute Collagen, spoke to Express.co.uk and shared the five ‘skincare mistakes you should avoid’ that have been forced on people by social media.
He explained: “With the rapid growth of content on social media, women now have access to more advice than ever before.
“Skincare hacks have become increasingly popular over the past few years, with influencers, TikTok trends, and more sharing their skincare ideas.
“However, this can lead to mistakes in our skin care routine. We recommend some simple steps to avoid such mistakes.”
1. Not doing a patch test
Despite extensive safety testing, doctors claimed that some products “may contain skin irritants and allergens” that could have negative effects.
To avoid this, try a small amount of your new product on a small area of your skin to make sure your skin doesn’t react. Leave the product on for 12-24 hours or overnight. If your skin becomes red or itchy over time, the product is not right for you.
2. Not wearing SPF
One of the most common skin care mistakes, especially when using certain skin care ingredients, is not using SPF products.
“Be sure to use it with a sunscreen cream with SPF 30, as some ingredients, such as AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), can ‘increase sun sensitivity,'” the doctor said.
Exposure to sunlight can cause early signs of aging. UVA rays from the sun are known to penetrate through windows and be absorbed by the skin, which can cause early signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.
To protect your skin from harmful rays, it’s best to use a mineral-based sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
3. Not researching trends
Experts have claimed that people who find a skincare trend they like online should take a little more time to check it out before trying it out.
Dr. Dave says: “For example, the skin flooding trend is very popular these days. This trend involves layering multiple products to provide deeper, longer-lasting hydration.
“But skin care experts warn that this trend may actually be damaging to your skin. Before you try (or don’t), research both sides of the story. It’s worth it.”
4. Using topical products on unclean skin
Before applying topical products, it is recommended to thoroughly cleanse and tone the skin to ensure that any residue is removed and the skin is conditioned.
If you don’t do this, you may find that the residue left on your skin “can interact with the product’s ingredients and cause problems.”
5. Use of expired products
The ingredients and chemical structure of skin care products, especially topical products, can deteriorate over time, making them ineffective and potentially damaging to your skin.
Experts urged, “Avoid using expired topical products as they can cause adverse skin reactions.”
https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/1811494/skincare-mistakes-to-avoid-damaging-skin-exclusive
