We all want healthy, glowing skin, don’t we? I know I certainly do!
As a professional aesthetician, I often have clients come into my medspa and share issues they’re having when it comes to their skin. More often than not, many of these problems are caused by common skincare mistakes they’re making without even realizing it!
Yep – common skincare mistakes we’ve all probably been guilty of are the usual culprits for issues that can easily be fixed by a change of habits. You’d be surprised how the smallest things we do every day can wreak absolute havoc on our skin, so I decided to share some of the most common skincare no-no’s I see at the spa.
Skincare No-No #1: Exfoliating too much
Exfoliating has a ton of benefits, but doing it too much or too regularly can actually do more harm than good. I know how tempting it can be to exfoliate daily because it feels oh so good, but doing so too often can be extremely irritating for your skin.
As a rule, aim to exfoliate your skin once or twice a week. If you suffer from sensitive skin, then do it only once a week. If you start noticing redness or irritation, exfoliate less often. If you’re new to it, start slowly by exfoliating only once a week to help your skin adjust to its new regimen. After doing so for a month or so, start doing it twice a week and see how your skin reacts.
Skincare No-No #2: Mixing the wrong ingredients
Some things simply aren’t meant to be, and that also goes for some skincare ingredients. Even though I’m an advocate of trying everything you can to see what better fits you, mixing certain ingredients such as vitamin C and retinol can actually do more harm than good.
For instance, vitamin C and certain acids, just beg to be the stars of the show and combining them can result in redness, irritation, and stressed skin. I actually wrote an entire post on the skincare ingredients you should never mix, so definitely check it out for more thorough information! Here are a few examples of ingredients that don’t go well together to keep in mind:
- Vitamin C + Retinol
- Retinol + AHA/BHA Acids
- Benzoyl Peroxide + Retinol
Skincare No-No #3: Not taking your vitamins or eating well
Great skin comes from the inside out. You could buy the most incredible skincare products out there and still not get the results you’d like if you’re not eating a balanced diet and taking your vitamins. When you feel your best, it’ll show. Trust me on this one!
Here’s a post I wrote on the best vitamins for skincare, so make sure to check it out for more info on what vitamins to prioritize both in your diet as well as your skincare routine. Moreover, supplements are your best friends in order to give your skin and body a little help! I love taking my LUMITY Supplements because they’re specifically made for women and their formula is focused on anti-aging benefits. They’re also easy to swallow, which is very important for me.
Skincare No-No #4: Not sleeping enough
There’s no substitute for a good night’s rest. When it comes to leading a healthy lifestyle (which is essential for healthy skin), the amount and quality of sleep you get will ultimately make or break your skin.
A few tips to maximize your sleep time:
- Invest in silk sheets and pillowcases. While you sleep, you’re constantly pressing your face against your pillow, which causes trauma to the skin. A soft set of silk sheets will prevent creasing against rough fabric at night!
- Sleep with your head above your heart so that blood can drain away from the eye area and you’ll wake up without puffy bags under your eyes.
Skincare No-No #5: Picking at your Skin
I know how tempting it is to pick at your skin when an unfortunate pimple shows up, but try to keep your hands away as much as possible. Not only will it make it look worse, but it can also leave permanent scarring! Here are some much better at-home tips to reduce pimples in times of emergency.
Are you in Atlanta and have questions about skincare?
Come visit us! We have two locations in Atlanta – one in Buckhead and one in Alpharetta and we’d love to help you personalize a skincare routine that is ideal for your skin type!