So, let’s say you’ve got a skincare routine you love. Products you are loyal to. You know your skin and how to best take care of it. Even with that, there are known skincare rules we all occasionally ignore. Here are some common ones and how to recover from breaking them.
NOT WASHING YOUR FACE BEFORE GOING TO BED
An old myth used to say that you aged your skin seven days each time you slept with your makeup on. While that cannot be confirmed, what is true is that regularly going to bed without washing makeup, sweat, dirt, pollution and sunscreen off your face can wreak havoc on your complexion. However, if you occasionally fall asleep without cleansing your face, don’t beat yourself up about it. Simply wash your face well the next morning and move on. You may have a breakout, but that too will be temporary. And hey, if you’ve actually aged seven days overnight, just consider yourself that much wiser. For a thorough cleanse in the evenings start by removing your makeup with our Apple Chamomile Micellar Water or do a gentle double cleanse using the Apricot Cleansing Oil as your first step.
OVER CLEANSING
Alternatively, over cleansing your skin can also cause problems. Dry is a skin type, but dehydration is something that can happen to any skin type. Over cleansing is one of the quickest ways to dehydrate your skin. The truth is that only oily and oily/combination skin types need to cleanse their skin twice per day. For everyone else, as long as you’ve cleansed your skin well the night before, all you need to do in the morning is rinse your face with cool water then continue on with your morning skincare routine. That morning routine should definitely include Ultra-C Serum which will help fight the environmental damage caused by UV rays.
OVER EXFOLIATION
Have you exfoliated your skin into submission only to realize you’ve overdone it? Is your skin now red, sensitive and feeling tight? Put down the scrubs, acids and the retinoids and start gently replenishing your skin 24/7. Moisturize, nourish and protect your skin until your moisture barrier is healthy again (read all about rebuilding your moisture barrier here). Once your skin is healthy again exfoliation can slowly be reintroduced. Start by using your exfoliant of choice 1-2 times per week. Be gentle and be patient. Our Cucumber Face Polish uses jojoba wax beads that remove dry, flaky skin without causing irritation.
USING TOO MANY PRODUCTS ON YOUR SKIN AT THE SAME TIME
There are so many skincare products, yet you only have one face. Sometimes the temptation to try all the things wins over. If your skin is going crazy because you’ve overwhelmed it with products, it’s time to dial it back. Keep what you love and what works for you and be done with the rest. On the most basic level all you really need is to cleanse, moisturize and protect your skin. Based on your skin’s needs, a good exfoliant, used properly, is also a great addition for most skin types. When you want to try something new, sub the new product in for one of your current products and only introduce one new product at a time. If you have many products you love try alternating their use on different days. That way you aren’t layering on more than your skin can handle.
NOT LISTENING TO YOUR SKIN
We’ve all done it, continued to use a product because we thought the reaction our skin was having was “purging” and we just needed to keep using the new product in the hopes of ultimately seeing fantastic results. No! Just stop using that product now. If a product or ingredient is causing your skin any sort of irritation, stop using it. Any sort of adverse reaction is a sign that something is not working for your skin. Those with oily and/or skin that is prone to breaking out may experience an increase in breakouts when introducing a new exfoliant, but generally speaking, no product should cause your skin to tingle or redden. Those symptoms are a sign of irritation and a signal to stop using that product immediately. Treat your skin gently with products that nourish, not assault, it. If you are experiencing an adverse reaction to a product, try using our Honey Avocado Rescue Mask to help calm the irritation.
THINKING YOU DON’T NEED TO START TAKING CARE OF YOUR SKIN UNTIL YOUR OLDER
It’s never too early, or too late, to start a good skincare routine. The sooner you start taking care of your skin, the better it will look now and in the future. An effective skincare regime doesn't need to be elaborate or expensive. It just needs to work for you. If you're new to skincare and unsure of what will work best for you, reach out to us at customercare@aosskincare.com and we'll help you get started.
NOT SEEING A PROFESSIONAL WHEN SOMETHING DOESN’T LOOK RIGHT
Finding a good dermatologist can be challenging, getting an appointment can take months and it can be expensive. It’s much easier to look online for answers to a skincare problem you may be having. But there are several skin issues you need to see a doctor for (psoriasis, eczema, a skin cancer check, to name a few). In these instances, putting off seeing a professional may cause the problem to worsen. It’s tempting to self-diagnose and treat, but the result could be detrimental to your skin. When you need next level help, seek out a professional.
SPF EVERYDAY
The one rule you should never break - wearing SPF 30+ daily. You knew this would be here and it’s the truth. Not wearing and reapplying sunscreen regularly will cause damage to your skin that cannot easily be repaired. It can be challenging to find a sunscreen you like, but they’re out there. Don’t give up and don’t skip this vital step in keeping your skin healthy year-round. Our Broad Spectrum Sunshade Lotion is a gentle and effective way to protect your skin daily.
What skincare rule do you sometimes break and why? Let us know.
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APPLE CHAMOMILE MICELLAR WATER
BROAD SPECTRUM SUNSHADE LOTION
