Skincare is a buzzy topic these days within the beauty community as well as general media. With months of lockdown came a peaked interest in self-care, particularly that which is related to the skin. But with so many opinions and false promises out there, it’s more important than ever to do your research and read up on the science behind proper skincare.

We’re giving you an easy-to-follow guide on how to avoid common skincare mistakes that are easy habits to adopt when we follow all of the latest skincare trends, and without properly investigating. Here’s how to keep your skin healthy and treat it properly for optimal, lasting results.

4 Skincare Mistakes to Avoid:

1. Not Reading Ingredients Lists

There are plenty of skincare products out there that are labeled or marketed as “organic,” “natural,” and “mineral-based.” However, the true test of a product’s health benefits for the skin come from the ingredient label.

Never skip out on reading this list thoroughly because you never know what you’ll find. Make sure that you’re avoiding any and all harsh chemicals. Here are a few common ones to steer clear of: aluminum, diethanolamine, monoethanolamine, triethanolamine, imidazolidinyl, mineral oil, methyl, butyl, ethyl, propyl, polyethylene glycol, phthalates, siloxanes, and synthetic fragrances.

Instead, go for wholesome products that have plant-based ingredients and genuine essential oils as well as vitamins and minerals.  If you’re ever in doubt of what an ingredient is (due to its long Latin name), simply refer to www.ewg.org/skindeep to check out any suspect ingredients that you may want to steer clear of.  

2. Forgetting to Exfoliate

Some people are under the false impression that exfoliation only serves to irritate the skin, especially for those who are prone to sensitivities such as texture, discoloration, inflammation, and acne. However, gentle exfoliation is an essential step in every skincare routine, no matter your skin type.

In order for your skin to fully absorb nourishing products and stay clear, you must remove dead and dry skin cells on the surface of the skin through exfoliation. Gentle peels, natural exfoliants, and glycolic acid are ideal options for those who have sensitive skin concerns.

3. Avoiding Hydrating Products When You’re Oily

It’s understandable to think that you should combat oily skin with a decrease in moisturization. However, this is far from the truth. Continue to moisturize the skin every day, twice a day. Simply adjust your routine to use products for oily and combination skin. Plus, oil production does not equate to hydration, and hydration is key to skin health, youth preservation, and cell rejuvenation.

Restore and lock in moisture with a quality hyaluronic acid serum. And incorporate a daily moisturizer for the face as well as an eye cream. Keeping the skin moisturized properly can even limit oil production by sending signals to the skin that the moisture levels are balanced enough to no longer require excess oil production.

4. Skipping Sunscreen

Last but certainly not least, be sure to apply your SPF every day. For optimal results, make sure this is always the final step in your skincare routine, so it can sit on top of your serums, moisturizers, and oils to ensure there is a true protective barrier between your skin, your skincare products, and the damaging UV rays of the sun.

Another wonderful protective measure for the skin is incorporating products that are rich in zinc and niacinamide. They help to protect the skin while also actively helping to heal the skin from the inside out for an all-over glowing complexion.

Armed with this knowledge, you can now forge on with a skincare routine and habits that will lead to your best skin yet. Curating your perfect routine comes with plenty of trial and error, but these must-know facts are essentials for anyone looking to upgrade their routine.