Today, in the 21st century, we have access to all the information one can get right at their fingertips, which also means that there’s a lot of misinformation out there on the internet!
I’ll be sharing with you the top five skincare mistakes you should never make in the 21st century.
Mistake #5: Not Wearing Sunscreen Daily
There are only three basic skincare steps: to cleanse, to hydrate, and to protect your skin against the sun. However, many people, including myself, often neglect to apply sufficient sunscreen or to apply it before leaving the house. No matter what, UV rays penetrate clouds and reach your skin on cloudy days. Thus, regular exposure to UV rays, even though indirect, can lead to problems like premature aging, hyperpigmentation, reduced collagen, and, worst of all, skin cancer.
So, imagine if you had a miraculous cream that you could apply to reduce wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and even skin cancer. Would you use it every day? Definitely ! So that is the way to get sunscreen.
So, here are a few steps to choosing the right sunscreen for your skin.
First of all, it must have a broad spectrum, which means it protects against UV A and UV B radiation.
Secondly, choose an SPF anywhere between 30 and 50 with a PA rating of roughly 3+ to 4+; it gives us sufficient protection against those nasty UV rays.
And finally, remember to reapply sunscreen, because no matter which brand of sunscreen and no matter what strength of sunscreen you’re using, the protection fades away after 3 to 4 hours, so reapply the sunscreen every 3 to 4 hours.
Mistake #4: Not Moisturizing After Cleaning:
The best time to apply any type of hydration or moisturizer is when the skin is still damp after cleansing, because it not only unclogs dirt and pores but also strips away precious sebum.
If you do not moisturize or hydrate your skin immediately after you have cleansed it, it can easily dry up and become irritated, sensitive, and red. Irritation compromises the skin barrier, leading to a multitude of skin issues such as dry skin, wrinkles, and blotchy skin. Regular skincare products may cause a stinging sensation after application.
So, timing is important when applying moisturizers or hydrators. Make sure you do it right away after you have cleansed your skin.
Mistake #3: Using Expired Products:
Yes! A lot of people are still using expired products. Now, many of us do not like to waste products, whether it’s food or skincare products, because you’ve spent your hard-earned money buying them and then forgot about them on the shelf, and once you check the expiration date, you realize they’ve expired. However, she continues to use them!
This is a major red flag. Expiry dates on skincare products are there for a reason. The product’s stability, safety, and efficiency all suffer once it expires.
Now, let’s talk about stability. Firstly, skincare products typically consist of tens to hundreds of distinct compounds. Prior to their expiration, these compounds maintain their stability, ensuring the consistency and texture are as promised. However, after a specific duration, the stability begins to deteriorate, leading to the appearance of solid chunks in skincare products. Alternatively, the product may become more watery or oily than its intended consistency. Next comes safety. Now we apply skincare products to our skin because we want the benefits of skincare products, and we trust that the skin companies have produced safe products for our skin.
However, past this expiration date, the safety of these products is actually questionable, which means there’s a possibility the expired products might cause more harm to your skin than good.
Last of all, let’s talk about efficiency. When a skincare product reaches its expiration date, its specific function actually diminishes. For example, if you’re looking for a skincare product for anti-pigment or to brighten your skin, you will definitely not be able to brighten your complexion as quickly as a regular product would, so please just throw away your expired skincare products and save your skin a ton of misery.
Mistake #2: Neglecting the Neck:
Typically, when we apply skincare products, whether it’s a hydrating moisturizer or a sunscreen, we just apply them up to the jawline. Make sure, however, that you use your products up to the neck, or it will start to become saggy and may show early signs of aging.
Mistake #1: Skipping the Skin Patch Test:
Most of us are guilty of this! Skipping the skin patch test. Now, a new skincare product might contain chemicals or ingredients that your skin might be allergic to; hence, that’s why doing a skin patch test before starting on a new skincare product is essential.
A patch test is the process of applying a small amount of the new product to areas of your skin that are not visible, and then monitoring that area for any negative skin reactions, such as skin peeling, skin rashes, or even skin itch.
We recommend doing a skin patch test in a couple of areas, such as the inner arm. This is one of the best locations because, visually, you’ll be able to monitor on a daily basis whether anything’s wrong with the skin.
So, how do you do it? Start by washing your skin daily, taking a little of the new product, and putting a small dot on that area. Remember where you have doted it. If you don’t remember, just take a quick photo. For the next 3 to 5 days, apply the same skincare product to the same area, and then monitor it. If there’s no negative reaction on the skin, the skincare product is right for you.
Another area where people prefer to apply the skin patch test is behind the ear or over the neck.
Remember, if you have sensitive skin, always do a skin patch test before starting any skincare product.
Conclusion
So here are the top five skincare mistakes that you should never be making in the 21st century. Avoid them and be consistent for healthy, glowing skin. Please comment down if you’re guilty of making any such mistakes
FAQS
Double cleansing is the best. First, remove makeup with either cleansing balm, cleansing oil, or misceller water, then wash off with gentle face wash.
Yes, it recharges each cell from within, so hydration is the key.
Always check for signs like dryness, itchiness, and acne! These are the biggest telltale signs to consider.
No, some people may experience adverse effects, while others may show mild to no symptoms.
Yes! It’s reversible, just be consistent for an effective regime.
I am a dentist, baker, and fitness and health enthusiast with a passion for living life to the fullest. I am foodie and explorer, always seeking new adventures and flavors. Currently working on my own skincare brand.
