Skincare mistakes help contribute to the multi-billion dollar skincare and makeup industry. Millions of dollars. That’s what us ladies, and increasingly men too, spend on skincare products in just a single year.

After all, we want our complexions to be radiant, healthy, and as young looking as possible. However, our skincare mistakes dig deep into OUR pockets and keep the profits rolling into the bank accounts of suppliers.

So, it’s counterproductive to invest in such high-quality treatments when we aren’t doing basic skincare, including avoiding common mistakes.

Keep reading to find out what they are.

Skincare Mistakes #1 : Too much foundation

Foundation is that wonderful stuff that evens out our skin tone, hides blemishes, and generally make us look as if our complexion is gorgeous.

Of course, there are some issues to be mindful of when using foundation. One is that too much of the stuff can do more harm than good.

By consistently over applying your foundation, or using heavy full coverage products, you can quickly block your pores. This makes your skin much more vulnerable to blemishes and other complexion issues.

It’s worth investing in lighter products such as a BB or CC cream, or even using drop foundations that provides buildable coverage to wear on a daily basis.

It can be best for your complexion to save the most full coverage for evenings out and special occasions. Even then, apply it sparingly using a beauty sponge with some added moisturiser.

Trust me, your skin will be able to breathe easier, and your complexion will be better for it.

Skincare Mistakes #2 : Over exfoliation

Exfoliation is a popular way of sloughing off dead skin to reveal the younger skin underneath.

However, many people mistakenly believe that the more you exfoliate, the better your complexion will be. Sadly this is not the case.

In fact over exfoliation is likely to damage the skin, never giving the new layer a chance to form fully. This can make skin weaker, red, and more prone to cracking and breaking.

To that end, exfoliation should only ever be carried out once a week. Those with particularly delicate skin or conditions such as Rosacea should avoid it altogether. Use something much more gentle to cleanse your face instead.

Skincare Mistakes #3 : Poor hydration  

Most people are well aware that hydration isn’t just one of the critical aspect of staying healthy, it is vital for healthy skin as well.

However, this doesn’t stop them from consuming caffeinated beverages by the bucket load and then wondering why their skin becomes wrinkled and sallow.

Of course, the straightforward and obvious answer is to give up the coffees, and any other dehydrating activities like drinking alcohol and smoking to boot. All while ensuring that you consume at least 8 glasses of water a day.

It doesn’t hurt to get a little help when it comes to hydrating your skin either. If you can find a product like the ones artNaturals offer which not only are sourced from nature but can be applied directly to the area in which you want to see results.

In fact, the best type of skin products often include serums containing hyaluronic acid. This ingredient has been scientifically proven to fight dryness and dehydration in particular. So be sure to look out for those if you want your complexion to shine.

Skincare Mistakes #4 : Tanning

Tanned faces, legs, and bodies can look healthy. Sadly this often encourages people to sunbathe or tan which can have a devastating effect on your complexion.

As well as sun damage, the UVA and UVB light in sunlight and the lights used on tanning beds cause skin cancer. This can not only ruin your complexion but, if left untreated, can spread to other parts of your body and endanger your life as well.

That is why it is absolutely essential that you avoid any form of light tanning, and instead used sunless tanning products.

Luckily, there is an excellent array of products on offer that can give you a tan that matches your skin tone pretty easily.

The most convenient of these is usually a spray tan, which involves having the tanning solution spared over your entire body with an air gun.

Such a procedure is generally done within a small tent-like structure to prevent the colour from going anywhere else, and only take a few minutes to complete.

Of course, a spray on tan won’t be suitable for every person and every skin type, so there are other options to consider as well.

One of these is to find an effective mousse tan that can be applied with your hand or a tanning mitt. The latter being something that can help to prevent streaks, make your tan look more natural, and stop the problem of ‘orange hands’.

Lastly, if you really want to do your complexion a favour while getting a tan, then the best option is to use a moisturising gradual tanner.

These often look the most natural as the darkness of a tan can be more easily matched to your skin tone. You also get the added benefit of regular moisturising that will help to keep your skin hydrated and healthy, and so should boost your complexion too.

Skincare Mistakes #5 : Lazy housekeeping

OK, so you may be wondering what I’m on about with this one, but bear with me. After all, your skin is on the outermost layer of your body and therefore it is the thing that touches and interacts with the world.

Of course, this means that any dirt, dust, or allergens that are in your home are going to reach and affect your skin first. That is why lazy housekeeping can be bad for you complexion.

In fact, those of us that don’t regularly change our bedding and pillowcases can suffer from spots and outbreaks. Those of us that don’t make an attempt to address overly dry air in the home with a humidifier can experience dry flakey and even chapped skin.

Obviously, it’s not like you have to win a housekeeping award, but keeping the basics clean can really help keep your skin in tip-top condition.

Header Image: Photo by Melan Cholia on Unsplash