There are some basic skin care do’s and don’ts that we all believe in. We each have our own version of a skincare routine that we follow to make sure that our skin looks good. But, did you know that there are certain things that spell disaster for our skin without us even realising it!?! So, if you love your skin (which we know you do), then here are 12 skincare mistakes you need to stop making NOW!
1. Scrubbing… a lot!
It’s good to exfoliate your skin, it helps increase blood circulation, gets rid of all the dead skin cells and makes your skin look fresh and radiant. However, the problem starts when you start over exfoliating. Our skin cells take a certain amount of time to regenerate, which is why using harsh chemical scrubs or exfoliating too often, actually does more harm to our skin than good. Girls, there is such a thing as too much scrubbing, so go slow! Over exfoliating can lead to irritation and breakouts!
2. Forgetting to moisturise
It is very important to use a moisturiser every day as it keeps your skin hydrated. The best time to moisturise is immediately after a shower when your skin is moist, gently massage the cream into your skin to ensure that your skin absorbs all the goodness. Use an intense moisturiser like Himalaya’s Cocoa Butter Intensive Body Lotion to keep your skin feeling hydrated and supple all day long. Bonus? It smells absolutely divine! <3
3. Popping pimples
Pimples are the bane of our existence. They have the worst timing ever! Before a big date or the night before our best friend’s wedding – it’s like they know exactly when to show up to ruin an important day. But no matter how annoying they are, NEVER-EVER pop them as that could lead to scarring or infections and you definitely don’t want either of those.
4. Sleeping with your makeup on
Ideally, you should wash your face at least twice a day but since we don’t live in a perfect world, you should at least make it a habit to clean your face before sleeping. Especially if you have makeup on. Sleeping with makeup on is a big No-No. It blocks your pores and makes your skin more prone to breakouts. If you have had an especially long day and are feeling too tired to wash your face then we suggest you wipe the makeup off with makeup wipes – but make sure you don’t go to bed with it on.
5. Not using a lip balm
The skin on your lips is more sensitive than the skin on your face, so hydrating it is essential, especially if the weather is particularly dry. Lip balms help soothe chapped lips and if this is a problem that you suffer from then you definitely need to invest in a good lip balm. Try applying the lip balm before you go to sleep this will ensure that you wake up to softer lips. Try the Himalaya Strawberry Shine Lip Balm which has strawberry seed and apricot kernel oil that keeps your lips looking supple.
6. Stepping out without sunscreen
Did you know that there are two kinds of UV rays that damage your skin in two completely different ways? UVA causes skin ageing and UVB causes tanning. The problem with sun damage is that it may take a while to be visible, your skin may look fine now, but in a few years’ time, you will start to see the damage. Use a sunscreen with a strong SPF so that you can actually enjoy the sun without having to worry about skin problems!
7. Not drinking enough water
Water is the solution to half your problems! It flushes out the toxins from your body and keeps acne at bay. If you are not having enough water your skin starts feeling tight and starts looking flaky and dull. If you are dehydrated – your skin (over time) starts losing its resilience and becomes more prone to wrinkles, which is not something any of us wants!
8. Dieting
If you are on a diet, then go about it the smart and healthy way, by making sure you consume all the essential nutrients so that your health does not suffer. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants which will be good for your whole body, including your skin. Getting enough exposure to the sun (Vitamin D) and consuming things like oranges (Vitamin C), almonds, hazelnuts (Vitamin E), spinach, lettuce (Vitamin K) etc will give your skin the required nutrition for flawless skin!
9. Don’t Compromise on your sleep
So, turns out if you don’t snooze, you lose! A good night’s sleep is essential for good skin because a sleep deprived body means high levels of stress and stress is definitely not good for your skin. Skin starts to react more quickly to infections and breakouts happen faster when your body is sleep deprived. And dark circles? They’re the worst! So get into bed at a reasonable time, switch off all your devices and catch up on your z’s.
10. Change your pillowcase buddy!
Speaking of sleeping, did you know that sleeping on your stomach is actually a big problem? The constant friction between your face and the pillow causes fine lines. Sleeping on your back may seem like a monumental change but a wrinkle-free face will totally be worth the adjustment! And while you are at it, make sure to change your pillowcase regularly. Try changing them on a weekly basis, as your pillowcase transfers dirt and oil onto your skin and this can cause breakouts.
11. Too much stress…
Stress is part and parcel of life, but not being able to deal effectively with stress causes a whole host of problems. Your skin starts looking lifeless and dull the minute you start getting stressed out. Often stress causes sleepless nights and this, in turn, stresses us out – it’s a vicious circle. So the best thing to do is to either meditate, take up yoga, take a deep breath and relax 🙂
12. Telephonic woes!
Did you know that every time you talk on the phone you are putting your skin at risk? Your cell phone is a veritable petri dish of bacteria! Constant contact with this bacteria can lead to bad bouts of breakouts. So, the next time you break into pimples right before your date with that cutie, you know who to blame. Remember to wipe down your phone with antibacterial wipes on a regular basis.
*This is a sponsored post for Himalaya
