Did you know that you have control of 90% of your aging? That’s right, only 10% is genetic! So, if you are waking up to your skin becoming dull with fine lines and wrinkles seeming to appear overnight, then you must be doing something wrong.
But what?
Luckily, you have come across this article because you can find your answers here. Just keep reading!
1. Sleeping in your makeup
You have either had a long day or stayed out too late blowing off some steam with the girls and all you want to do is fall into bed.
Not so fast!
Free radicals (pollution) bombarded your skin all day and need a thorough cleansing. Why? Because over time, the accumulation of these free radicals will cause collagen breakdown.
Collagen keeps your skin youthful and bouncy, so, if it’s breaking down, fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging shows up.
Another reason to remove your makeup at night is so your skin can breathe. Over time, your pores become clogged and get larger.
Your skin also does its repairing and regenerating at night, so wash your face and use products that help the process, such as retinol and hyaluronic acid.
2. You’re too hard on your skin
Over-exfoliating or using a harsh or abrasive exfoliator can strip away your skin’s barrier. This will cause irritation, dehydration, discoloration, redness, and wrinkles. Only exfoliate once or twice a week using a milder exfoliator, like glycolic acid.
Pulling and tugging repeatedly while cleansing or applying makeup, especially around your eyes, will take its toll on your skin and cause fine lines.
Gently massage your face when cleansing and, if you are using a pencil to apply your liner, switch to a gel liner. The gel liner goes on much easier than a pencil.
3. Too much heat
Even though you thought about that long, hot shower after the day you had, rethink it. The hot shower is actually promoting the production of an enzyme that blocks the natural production of collagen and elastin.
You should also limit the heat from saunas and hot tubs.
4. Using the wrong sunscreen
There are two forms of UV rays, UVA and UVB. UVB rays cause sunburn and skin cancer, while UVB rays cause damage that leads to tanning, aging, and wrinkles, and not all sunscreen is made equal.
When choosing a sunscreen, it should be at least 30 or above and say broad spectrum to fully protect your skin.
5. You’re putting your products on in the wrong order
You may use some great skincare products but not see any results. If you’re not applying the thinnest to the thickest, then your products aren’t able to work properly.
If you apply your thicker products first, the thinner ones can’t penetrate through to reach your skin.
6. Not getting enough quality sleep
Getting your beauty sleep is a real thing. Without enough sleep, you increase stress hormones and turn your skin dull and dehydrated.
As stated before, this is also when your skin repairs and regenerates, so give it some rest.
7. Skipping moisturizer
Even if you have oily skin, you need to moisturize it. Not providing your skin with enough moisture can actually make your skin produce more oil, leading to clogged and enlarged pores.
Also, if your skin doesn’t stay hydrated, it will lead to premature lines and wrinkles. Keeping your skin well moisturized helps strengthen its barrier, keeping it protected from external damaging elements.
A good skincare routine includes a gentle cleanser, toner, serum, treatment, moisturizer, sunscreen, and exfoliation.
For more on routines, refer to these other posts:
How to start anti-aging in your 20s.
How can I look younger in my 30s?
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8. Poor diet and exercise
Sweets are not very sweet for your skin. Too much sugar in the diet leads to collagen and elastin breaking down. Processed and packaged foods will also wreak havoc on your complexion.
The best anti-aging diets that will benefit your whole body are Paleo and Mediterranean.
9. Not giving your skincare products time to work
Your skin cells turnover approximately every 30 days. So, it will take at least that long to notice any improvement. According to dermatologists, give a new product at least 3 months to see the full benefits.
If you’re switching products too often, then you are slowing their progress.
Some products may provide instant results, but they are usually only temporary. Also, your skin won’t get used to products and stop working. The longer you use them, the better they work.
10. Using the wrong products
If your products have any kind of alcohol in them, you need to stop using them. Alcohol will dry your skin and strip it of its natural oils. Other ingredients to look out for include sulfates, DEA, TEA, MEA, and mineral oil.
You also need to know your skin type and use products specifically for your skin type.
After cleansing your face, does your skin feel tight? If so, it’s time to find a more hydrating cleanser.
Also, if after using a new product, your skin reacts in a way it doesn’t normally do, stop using the product and see if it clears up. If it does, that product isn’t for you.
11. Not getting enough water
If your skin is dehydrated, then it’s going to be more prone to showing signs of aging. You need 8 to 10 8oz glasses of water each day.
Drinking plenty of water will also flush out toxins that affect your skin.
12. Too much screen time
These days we are all guilty of this, myself included, but it isn’t doing our skin any favors.
First, if you are constantly looking down at your phone, then you are well on your way to having those creases stay permanently. You don’t have to give up your phone, though. Just remember to maintain a good posture when looking at it.
Are you squinting when you look at your phone? Those lines will become permanent as well, along with your vision becoming affected.
13. Sleeping position
If you sleep face down or on your side with your face smashed against the pillow, this could cause some of your wrinkles. The creases you see when you wake up will eventually stop fading away.
Pressure from your face on the pillow can damage your collagen fibers.
Sleeping on a silk pillowcase can help as well. The smooth surface of silk has less friction as you toss and turn, therefore, you won’t get those crushed wrinkles on your face.
Your hair will also benefit from silk.
14. Lifestyle
If you are a smoker or drink in excess, you will start showing signs of aging sooner than those who don’t smoke and drink heavily.
Alcohol dehydrates you and your skin. Even one night of heavy drinking can make lines and wrinkles look worse. Limit drinking to one glass of wine a day.
The nicotine from smoking will cause your blood vessels to narrow, therefore, reducing oxygen and nutrients getting to your skin. Smoking also impacts your collagen and elastin fibers, causing them to break down.
Final Thoughts
If you are seeing dullness, fine lines, wrinkles, or irritation of any kind creeping up, look at this list and see if any may be the culprit.
If you correct any of these mistakes, and you can’t notice any difference, then head over to DreamBox Beauty. You can find skin-pampering products or shop for high-tech devices by Julie Lindh!
If there’s anything I may have left off this list, please let me know, and I will be glad to add it!
I would want to express my gratitude for the insightful and detailed post you provided regarding skincare mistakes. This is an extremely helpful post that should be shared with everyone. There are several factors that influence one’s complexion that I had not considered before. It came as a surprise to me that the way you sleep might alter this. Continue to post in the same manner. I most certainly will share this.
I have to use a silk pillowcase because I am a side sleeper. I just can’t get comfortable on my back.
These are very good tips on the most occurring skincare mistakes that one can make. I wouldn’t have thought about a certain sleep position and that it could have such an effect on my skin. Smoking or drinking to much alcohol seems quite clear to me that it’s not good for my skin, so I try to avoid it. Is it true or not that darker-colored skin ages less fast? I have a neighbor with dark skin and it looks like she doesn’t age at all haha!
Yes, darker skin shows aging much later than light skin. Even though they have the gene that helps protect them from the sun, they are more prone to getting skin cancer from skipping sunscreen.