Five Common Skincare Mistakes

1. Washing in hot water – It might feel good, it might feel like it’s doing the best job of cleansing, but hot water is super drying, making your skin look dull and sad. Lukewarm water keeps your pores smaller and keeps your skin looking brighter. For extra glow, splash with cold water at the end. Models and actresses swear by it.
2. Not being consistent - A new skincare product (like AngelLift Dermastrips) takes at least 30 days to start producing results. If after 30 days, you see little or adverse results, then consider switching to a different product while taking into consideration your skin type. Once you find a regimen—great cleanser, results-oriented serum, hydrating moisturizer and protective SPF lotion—that works for you, stick with it!
3. Not washing makeup brushes – This is a doozy! Most women don’t even think about their makeup brushes, let alone wash them. Bacteria and dirt on unclean brushes can cause acne, rosacea or eczema. Uh oh! Wash makeup brushes with either a specific brush cleanser or a gentle facial cleanser in warm water at least once a week.
4. Over-exfoliating – Exfoliating, whether chemically through a retinol or glycolic acid, or physically through facial scrubs or microdermabrasion treatments, is good. But too much of a good thing can be bad for skin. Exfoliating too much or using exfoliating products too often can damage the skin’s moisture barrier, resulting in flaking, dehydration and inflammation, possible destruction of healthy cells, and possible hyperpigmentation due to increased melanin production. Physical exfoliants such as facial scrubs or brushes should be used no more than two or three times a week. Chemical exfoliants (including acid serums) should be used three nights on, three nights off.
5. Not wearing sunscreen daily and not applying enough - The main reason for premature skin aging is from sunlight and UV rays. And 78% of those rays come from incidental exposure, meaning the times when you’re driving in the car, sitting in your home or office near windows, or walking outside on a cloudy winter day when you don’t think you need sun protection. If you want to prevent wrinkles, wearing ample broad-spectrum sunscreen every single day of the year (and reapplying!), whether it’s sunny or cloudy, inside or out, is a must.