Habits. For better or worse, we all have them. Habits come from laziness, regular repetition or when new behaviors become part of our day-to-day.
However, when it comes to skincare, more often than not, we have learned habits. Learned habits are habits that we get from others such as our mothers, older sisters, aunts, grandmothers, friends, etc. etc. etc.
But, not all habits are created equal, no matter where we got them and who we got them from. From sleeping in your makeup, to over exfoliation (yes, there is such a thing!), some habits need to be broken – like these all too common skincare mistakes.
So, repeat after me, “I solemnly swear I am never going make these mistakes again.” ⚡️
1. Don’t Sleep With Makeup On … Ever.
Sleeping in makeup at night is a big no-no. First of all, sleeping with makeup on is murder on your pores. When pores are blocked, skin gets bumpy, and if you are acne-prone – breakouts.
💡FACT: Skin cells are damaged by the practice of sleeping in makeup.
Therefore, not only does crashing in your eyeshadow and foundation clog your pores, but it can also speed up the aging process.
That said, if you do have acne-prone skin or accidentally did sleep in your makeup, we suggest using our St. Ives Apricot Blemish Control Face Scrub. Not only is this baby packed with good stuff like walnut shell powder to scrub away dead cells and pollutants, but it also has salicylic acid in it – a known blemish fighter!
Boom!
2. Yes, Over Exfoliating Your Face Is A Real Thing
While, exfoliating is great for your face, like all other good things – too much is never good.
Skin naturally sheds its topmost layer, and exfoliation helps your skin remove excessive dirt and oil in your pores. However, over exfoliation can remove your skin’s natural oils that act as a barrier between you and pollutants. Plus, exfoliating too much can buff healthy cells away and actually weaken your skin’s barrier.
By over exfoliating, the end result can be exactly what you were trying to avoid to begin with. For example, some signs of over exfoliation include an extra shiny forehead, puffiness, excessive breakouts, tightness, peeling and even flaking (of the cold burn kind.)
If you end up over exfoliating, give your face a break and help it restore itself by using a gentle cleanser, or personally, we suggest using out St. Ives Soothing Oatmeal Sheet Mask. Inspired-by Korean beauty trends, and infused with finely ground oatmeal extract, these 100-percent cotton sheet masks give you face a hit of instant moisture.
So, peace out dehydration!
3. H20: Drinking Water for Clear Skin
Just so we’re clear: not only is your body mostly water, but water maintains moisture in the body and, therefore, is perfect for keeping your skin hydrated and supple.
Also, did you know 💡 Water helps to increase your body’s energy levels, promotes weight loss by raising your metabolism, flushes out toxins, improves skin’s complexion, boosts your immune system, helps relieve headaches and also puts you in a good mood.
4. From Washing Face with Hot Water to Using Alcohol for Acne: A few Skincare Myths Debunked
• You can get acne because you didn’t wash your face.
Partially true. In order for acne to develop, pores have to be clogged. Makeup can clog pores by blocking and holding impurities inside. So, consistently not washing your face will definitely result in a breakout, or multiple breakouts!
Bonus tip: Make sure your pillow cases are always clean.
PS: Over washing your face can lead to acne too. That’s because when you remove too much of your skin’s natural oil, your body overproduces the stuff which can lead to clogged pores.
• Wearing makeup will age you faster.
Total myth. As long as you properly remove your makeup daily, and keep up with a consistent cleansing routine, you’re golden.
• Washing your face with hot water is cleansing.
Yes and no. While, hot water and/or steam will open your pores, and theoretically that means a better clean, you don’t want to overdo it, cause discomfort or burn yourself. Therefore, go for lukewarm – not hot – water. It’ll be soothing, and feel extra cozy.
• Rubbing alcohol will “kill” acne.
Another yay, but nay. Yes, rubbing alcohol will kill out bacteria, but it also is extremely drying and can irritate skin. In most cases, skin will overcompensate and produce excess sebum (oil) that will end up clogging pores even more. Rather than using rubbing alcohol, look for natural acne fighters such as tea tree oil.
• Having oily skin means you don’t have to moisturize.
Not really. In order to keep pores clean, it is important to wash your face with a good face wash and/or cleanser – plus, throw in the occasional face scrub. That said, these products strip the excess natural oils from face, and therefore, a good moisturizer will help restore your skin’s natural protective barrier with some “good stuff,” leaving your skin’s pH intact (it’s balance.)
5. Using Too Many Skin Care Products
Is there even such a thing? #Truestory, believe it or not there is. But, that said, it’s also dependent on you, your skin’s needs and goals. There is no one-size-fits-all formula.
A lot of skincare products are multi-layered. Meaning, for example, a CC Cream can lock in hydration, include SPF and mattify. Using too many products at once runs the risk of some product benefits cancelling each other out. This usually, applies to active serums, AHA, peels, etc.
So, stay in touch with your skin. Like, actually look at your skin and touch it. If your skin feels bumpy, dry, flakey or unusual and you can’t seem to shake it – you might be using too many products.
Keep calm and skin soothe on!
There are so many “a-peeling” things about physical exfoliation, and we love the power it has to make your skin feel refreshed. Our St. Ives Board-Certified Dermatologist partner, Dr. Claire Wolinsky loves the benefits of physical exfoliation as much as we do, so we asked her to share the advantages of this important step in your skincare routine, all year round!
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Fact: Working out is a great way to burn off stress and boost your mood. That’s because exercise has been shown to lower cortisol levels (aka the body’s stress hormone) and release endorphins (the body’s happy hormone). And when you do it in a park, the woods, a beach or any natured-filled space, you get the added benefits of nature!
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How do you deal with stress? If you opt for exercise, meditation, yoga, or journaling you’re on the right track. But do these activities out in nature, and their stress-lowering benefits go to the next level. In fact, just 15 minutes with nature is proven to have a serious de-stress effect!
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Curious to know why we love nature so much? Because it has serious benefits and is seriously fun! From lowering stress levels to boosting your mood, keeping you healthier to helping you focus, it’s the cure-all we all need to tap into more.
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