The skin is the first part of your body everyone comes into contact with. This means taking care of your body starts with taking good care of your skin. Having good healthy skin consequently increases your level of confidence and happiness. Therefore, you should take your skin seriously and avoid common skincare mistakes.
There are different opinions on the internet about achieving flawless skin, and millions of products that all promise to help you with that. However, it’s quite difficult to sift through the genuine advice from the promotional messages that just serve as ads.
First and foremost to achieving good, healthy skin is remembering that the skin is a body organ that demands the same care and attention as other body organs.
You should consider getting regular skin exams, especially if you have a family history, or had sunburns in the past.
Here are some of the most common skincare mistakes made by most men, and even women too.
- Popping pimples
This might not be new, but it’s definitely a common one. However tempting it might be, try as much as you can not to pop your pimples yourself. If your pimple contains infected pus, popping can spread bacteria into other pores, hair follicles, and create an even worse outbreak. Moreover, popping a pimple can even delay your body’s natural healing process.
If you need a safer way to get rid of your pimples, book an appointment at a spa.
- Using Hydrogen Peroxide/Alcohol on your injuries
Despite what we were told as kids, using hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol to clean an injury can actually harm the tissue and delay healing. Instead, you can use water, a clean piece of cloth, and some mild soap to clean the wound. In the case of a deeper wound or one that doesn’t stop bleeding, it is advisable to seek professional help.
- Shaving hard
When it comes to shaving, remember to use a light touch since a harder push creates an uneven skin surface. Companies have tried to compensate for this by making razors that resist shaving pressure. However, you can still get a great nick-free shave if you use that light touch.
- Keeping wet clothes on for too long
Be it at the pool, the gym, or whatever, this is never good news for your skin. Wet and sweaty clothing can trap dust and dirt that clog pores, and that often leads to breakouts. Cotton is great at absorbing water and thereby deflecting body oil. Performance gear, on the other hand, absorbs body oil. When bacteria feed on the body oil, they release a gross scent.
In addition to that, you also put yourself at risk of jock itch, and other fungal infections, which is no fun for your skin.
- Falling for social media fads
TikTok, and social media, in general, are loaded with ‘skincare knowledge’ and supposed skincare hacks, but it’s important to remember that miracle cures don’t exist, and most of the hacks you see online are just complete baloney. Also, do not assume what works for another person will work for you. Everyone has unique skincare needs, issues, and goals. It’s also important to add that there’s a lot of surgery and photoshop at play online.
- Long, hot showers
Hot showers are no bueno for your skin. They might be good for your soul, but you should try and keep your showers on the shorter side. If you enjoy hot water, you should keep the showers even shorter, as the hot water can strip the body of oils and dry out your skin.
- Keeping minor wounds covered
Many people believe that the best way to let a minor wound heal is by letting it dry out. Contrary to that belief, keeping wounds covered and allowing them to stay moist has been shown to heal better, with a healthier layer of new skin.
- Using sunscreen regularly
No sun, no problem. Your skin needs sunscreen every day. Yes, even when it’s cloudy, raining, or snowing. Exposure to the sun can have a couple of unwanted effects on the body. Using a daily combo of sunscreen and moisturizer is the best, and don’t forget to apply it to the lips and the ears, as they are the most commonly missed areas.
- Skipping the neck
If your skincare stops at your jawline, you’re doing it all wrong. Your neck needs love and attention too. In fact, the neck is one of the first areas of the body to show signs of aging because the skin on the neck is thinner than on the face. Don’t fall for this common skincare mistake and love your neck too.
- Too many products
As fun as it can be to try new skincare products, doing so too frequently, can create more problems than solutions. Most ingredients take typically 4-6 weeks of consistent use before noticeable changes. Also, if you experience a negative reaction, it would be difficult to single out the individual causative.
- Picking your skin
You may not even realize you’re doing it, but constantly picking your skin can cause irritation, inflamed skin, or even spread bacteria. The fingertips are the dirtiest parts of our bodies and harbor all sorts of bacteria that should stay on the outside of our skin. If this is a nervous habit, try to break it by keeping your hands busy on something else.
- Over-exfoliating with harsh scrubs
Exfoliation is important to the skin, but only in moderation. Overdoing it can easily cause skin tears, leading to the development of a rash-like texture. If you’re using a scrub on your face, you should do it two times a week maximum, and be gentle while at it.
- Skipping out on moisturizer
Apart from keeping your skin moist, moisturizer helps to keep a healthy skin barrier. If you have acne-prone skin, you should find a moisturizer that works for you.
Conclusion
These are all major skincare mistakes that most people make, that secretly negatively impact the skin. Stop taking your skin for granted, and start treating it with care and attention. If you notice any problems, don’t be shy to visit a dermatologist as soon as possible.
Black, white, pale, or whatever color your skin is, stop doing the above and your skin will have a lot less to worry about.
