Common Skin Care Mistakes Made by Women

So many articles have been written about the importance of daily skin care suited to different skin types, common skin problems, etc. In this article, we will take a look at some of the most common skin care mistakes that women make in their daily skin care routine. It is important to note that apart from not using the right products, even neglecting the right hygiene practices and not paying attention to your diet & sleep are also likely to severely affect the health of your skin.

So, let's dive into some of the common skin care mistakes made by women.

1) Not Cleansing the Right Way

Simply washing your face with soap during a bath cannot be labelled as 'cleansing.' First thing in the morning, your skin cleansing routine must include the use of a foaming face wash in case of oily/combination skin or a cream-based cleanser/foaming face wash in case of normal to dry skin.

At the end of the day, it is important to remove your makeup with micellar water, which is a highly effective skin cleansing product made from purified water. It moisturizes the skin as well as contains surfactants that clean even the most long-lasting & waterproof varieties of makeup. Do not simply use face wash to remove makeup. It is important to use this type of makeup remover, and then finish off with a Refreshing Facewash to remove any traces of makeup that have been left behind. Stale makeup acts like poison to the skin as it clogs the pores.

2) Skipping the Toner

Another very important, yet neglected step in daily skin care. Skin toners contain ingredients that close the pores as well as reduce surface oiliness, which goes a long way to prevent breakouts of pimples, acne, and blackheads/whiteheads. Ingredients contained in toners, such as rose water & essential oils, also shrink the pores of the skin thus making it firm. They also make the skin look fresh and glowing.

If you don't wish to purchase a skin toner, use rose water. Post cleansing, especially at the end of the day and if you have just removed makeup, take a few drops of rose water on a cotton ball and wipe it gently over your face and neck. Your skin will become soft, refreshed, and glowing.

3) Too much Exfoliation

Exfoliation/scrubbing with the correct exfoliator/face scrub is an essential step for skin care. It removes dead skin, oil buildup, and aids in deep pore cleansing. However, excessive scrubbing can destroy the nature alkeline mantle that forms a protective layer over your skin against environmental damage. It can strip the skin of its natural oils too. Excessive scrubbing/exfoliation can also lead to severe dryness. Hence, it is important to restrict exfoliation to once or twice a week depending upon your skin type. In case of oily skin, it is important to exfoliate twice a week. However, in case of dry skin, only once a week.

Remember, exfoliation is a very important step in skin care, so it should not be skipped. Only important thing is to exfoliate not more than twice a week.

4) Not Using the Right Moisturizer for your Skin Type

Choosing the right moisturizer and using goes a long way for maintaining the health of the skin as well as eliminating signs of ageing and dryness. If your skin is oily, it is important for you to choose a moisturize that is in the form of a light cream or gel-based, as such moisturizers will not clog the pores. While purchasing a moisturizer, check the label to see which skin types it is suitable for. Buy only the ones that say for oily skin or for all skin types.

In case of dry/ageing skin, you can use a moisturizer that is very creamy and rich, as the skin will absorb it rapidly. Hence, check the label before buying and ensure that it says for dry skin or for all skin types.

Another important point to take into consideration is the composition of the moisturizer. The best moisturizers are an ideal combination of humectants, emollients, and occlusives. We have written an article on this topic, which you can check out here.

5) Skipping the Sunscreen

Irrespective of the weather conditions as well as the season, you must always use sunscreen that contains a minimum of 30 Sun Protection Factor (SPF). You may tell yourself that it is cloudy outside or winter or rainy and that you don't need sunscreen because your skin isn't being exposed to the sun. However, this is not true. The UVA and UVB rays are still affecting your skin in various degrees. It is important to use sunscreen lotion even when you are indoors. In fact, if you plan to step out when it's sunny outside, you need to apply sunscreen on your face and hands at least one hour earlier.

6) Trying Out Too Many Different Products

It is good to experiment with different products before you get fixated on the ones that work best for you. However, overdoing this is likely to damage your skin. Once you have identified which skin care products work best for you, stick to them and give them time to work their magic.

Moreover, layering your face with too many products, such as multiple moisturizers, topped up with multiple serums, etc. can lead to pore clogging. Also, the ingredients of multiple skin care products, when layered over one another, can cause reactions as they are probably not meant to be mixed together or used at once. It is understandable that attractive advertising campaigns and offers run by various brands across television and social media constantly tempt you to try new products and new routines. However, you need to exercise desecration.

7) Using Products with Chemicals/Synthetic Substances

Various skin care products contain chemical substances that are give great short-term results, but are very harmful in the long term. Take for instance SLS or Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, a common additive to skin creams. It causes allergic reactions, dryness, and irritation to the skin because it robs it of its natural oils. It can also cause severe eye irritation. Some of its more severe reactions include eczema, dermatitis, and itchy scalp.

Parabens are another example of harmful ingredients in skin care products. They are known to cause disturbance in hormone function as they mimic estrogen. Over-production of estrogen is likely to trigger rapid division of breast cells, which is a primary cause of breast tumors. Hence, parabens are associated with reproductive issues and breast cancer.

Another example of harmful ingredients are phthalates, which act as solvents in cosmetics. Their regular use can damage the lungs, kidneys, reproductive system, and liver.

Apart from the ingredients mentioned above, some of the other harmful ingredients in skin care products include mineral oils, formaldehyde, propylene glycol, TEA, silicons, TEA, and PEG. These days, various brands of natural/organic beauty products claim that they do not use any of these ingredients. Always check the labels of products that you buy to ensure that the packaging specially mentions that they are SLS-free, paraben-free, and the like.

8) Not Changing Bed Linen Regularly

As we sleep, the skin from all over our body tends to shed cells to aid the production of new ones. These are shed on our linen, especially on our pillow cases. Hence, our bedsheets and pillow cases are storehouses of stale makeup, scalp oil, sweat, bacteria, etc. It is very important, especially if you have acne-prone or sensitive skin, to change bed linen regularly. All these stale residues can find their way back into your skin and cause clogged pores and other unpleasant skin conditions. You should change your bed linen once every few days to maintain the health of your skin.

9) Using Dirty Makeup Brushes

Your makeup brushes and sponges require cleaning at least once a week. The more frequently you clean them the better. The residues of stale makeup left on them, especially of water/cream-based makeup such as foundation & concealer, is a storehouse of dirt, fungus and bacteria. When you reuse these brushes, you are exposing your skin to these harmful elements. Also, you are dipping these brushes/sponges into makeup palettes or makeup pots, thus spreading contamination to these products. To get out of this vicious cycle, it is important to clean your brushes as frequently as possible. This is especially important when you don't use makeup very often.

Now that you have understood what common skin care mistakes to avoid, you can get your skin care routine on track. If you are a beginner, start small. Start with a simple skin care routine with a cleanser, toner, & moisturizer suited to your skin type. Exfoliate once a week of course. And of course, in addition to the tips above, it is important for you to get enough sleep, drink enough water, and follow a healthy diet. These habits go a long way in maintaining the health of your skin! Do let us know how you liked this article in the comments below.