The top 6 skincare mistakes you are doing

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Having beautiful skin is something that takes time and discipline. It also means applying products the right way.  We have all committed skincare mistakes that can keep us from achieving our skin goals. Here are 6 skincare mistakes you might be making. Sometimes it’s the things we do every day that we are doing wrong.

Skincare mistake #1: Not applying sunscreen or enough of it

We know the sun is extremely damaging to our skin and that we should wear sunscreen daily. Although this is something we hear all the time, not many people wear sunscreen year-round.

If you are out at the beach and the sky seems a little gloomy, it doesn’t mean you are safe. The rays reflect off the water and snow, so you’re never safe from the sun.

If you’re a casual sunscreen wearer then this next fact might scare you enough to wear it daily. Did you know that 90% of skin aging has to do with the sun! Yes, you read that correctly, that’s 10% away from 100%.

This skincare mistake is causing your wrinkles. The reason the sun causes wrinkles is because the UV rays penetrate through the skin forming free radicals that damage elastin fibers.

It is not just about applying sunscreen every day but also multiple times a day. Applying sunscreen in the morning won’t protect your skin from the sun’s rays all day. You should be applying sunscreen about every 2 hours.

Yes, if you are a makeup wearer this can bring a conundrum. No, you don’t have to wash your face every couple of hours and do your skincare/makeup routine all over again. You actually shouldn’t wash your face more than twice a day and this is how you should be washing your face.

All you have to do is apply spray sunscreen over your makeup. The only thing is that you are going to have to spray quite a bit on. Quick question, do you know how much sunscreen you should apply on your face?

What to look for in a sunscreen

Well, Dermatologist Libby Rhee recommends applying between 1/3 to ½ a teaspoon for your face and neck. When it comes to your body, you should apply about a shot glass worth of sunscreen.

When looking for a sunscreen look for one between SPF 30 and SPF 50. There’s no proof that an SPF higher than 50 does more. If you are swimming you will have to apply sunscreen more often than the 2 hours recommended.

One important thing to look for in a sunscreen is that it is broad-spectrum to protect yourself from both UVA and UVB rays. Here are some ideas for a sunscreen that will work for your needs. If you will be inside all day then you can go longer than 2 hours before reapplying again. These simple skincare mistakes can really harm your skin in the long run.

Sunscreens to shop for

Skincare mistakes #2: Not washing your face correctly

Washing your face every day is no secret. We all do it, or at least know we should because let’s admit, sometimes we get a little lazy. Did you know you are probably not washing your face long enough? Time goes by much slower than you think.

Time yourself next time you wash your face and take a look how long you are actually washing your face. Depending on who you ask, some experts would tell you to wash your face between 30- 45 seconds and others say at least a minute. I would say to aim for 30-60 seconds.

You don’t want to over wash your face because that can dry out your skin. Here are some more specific ideas for face cleansers to use depending on your skin type. If you are not sure what your skin type is then click here so I can send you the easy test I used to find out mine.

One of the skincare mistakes makeup wearers do is not double cleanse. Use an oil cleanser to wash off the makeup and use another cleanse to really get in there and prevent breakouts.

Face cleansers to shop for

Skincare mistakes #3: Not using a humidifier.

If you live in dry areas or have dry skin, sleeping with a humidifier can provide the moisture your skin is lacking. If you’re are having a hard time keeping your skin hydrated then this might help.

Sleeping with a humidifier can also help you sleep better and help with some health issues you might be struggling with.

Skincare mistakes #4: Not moisturizing

It really doesn’t matter what skin type you have, you should always apply moisturizer. Just because you have oily skin it doesn’t mean you don’t need to apply moisturizer. We must moisturize our face to keep the outer layer of our skin protected from irritants and inflammation.

Moisturizing our face also helps the deeper layers stay hydrated according to Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip, M.D., director of cosmetic dermatology at South Shore Medical Center.

If you experience acne and use a lot of products that contain acne-fighting ingredients, you must wear moisturizer. These ingredients dry out your skin so you must hydrate it. If you don’t want to wear moisturizer during the day because it makes your face look oily, then please apply it at night.

When applying moisturizer to your face aim for a nickel size amount. one of the skincare mistakes is over applying which can lead to breakouts and shiny skin. You will know if you didn’t apply enough moisturizer since your skin will feel tight and flaky afterward and maybe even a little dull. If you love having glowy skin then try these tips out.

Protip: Apply moisturizer while your face is still a little wet. This makes it much easier for your skin to absorb your moisturizer. It is also a good idea to have a daytime and nighttime moisturizer for these reasons.

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Skincare mistakes #5: Using the wrong skincare product

Having beautiful skin is something we all want to achieve but not all of us get. Those of us who were handed bad genes have it a little harder than others. One of the skincare mistakes we have all committed at one point in our skincare journey is not using products that are best for our skin.

If your best friend swears by her moisturizer, but it only caused you acne it’s because that moisturizer isn’t suited for your skin’s needs. Not using products that are meant for your skin is pointless.

You must understand your skin’s needs in order to treat them accordingly. Knowing your skin type is very important in skincare and sometimes a little tricky to figure out. Here’s how I figured out my skin type.

Skincare mistakes #6: Not being consistent

So, let’s say you actually have skincare products that best suits your needs, but you only do your skincare routine a couple of times a week. Not being consistent with your skincare is like not doing it at all.

Sure, if you applied sunscreen the other day your skin was protected from the sun’s rays for a couple of hours, but what about the next day. This skincare mistake is preventing you from having the skin you’ve always wanted. Jlo has beautiful skin because she is consistent with her skincare routine.

Sure, the money helps buy the best products and facials, but if she doesn’t keep up with it then she wouldn’t look the way she does now. Don’t worry about not having money to buy expensive products, use what is in your means.

If you find yourself not being able to keep up with your skincare routine, ask yourself why. Is it too long or complicated? Here’s an easy skincare routine if that’s the case. Or are you just too lazy? The time you spend trying to convince yourself you are too tired to not wash your face could have been used to actually wash your face.

Have you made any of these skincare mistakes? Which ones? Okay beautiful now that you have realized your mistakes it is time to fix them. It doesn’t matter if your skin is not where you want it to be just yet.

Be consistent and keep learning about your skin. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder so make sure you are seeing yourself with the right eyes. In the meantime, don’t forget that outside beauty isn’t the only thing that matters, you must be beautiful on the inside too.