Last week, we started talking about some of the most common skin mistakes including: tanning, smoking, not using sunscreen, not using an antioxidant and not using retinol. Small, and often free, daily changes you make will have a huge impact on the quality of your skin. Here is part two of my list of the 10 most common skin mistakes:
Washing Your Face with Soap Washing your face with bar soap or hand soap is liquid murder! There is a reason it is called hand soap! Soap designed for your body contains harsh detergents and fragrances that can irritate and strip the delicate skin on your face. It will become dry and dehydrated which leads to fine lines which lead to wrinkles. It is important to keep your skin properly pH balanced by finding a cleanser specific for your skin type.
Poor Diet & Little Water We all know the saying, “You are what you eat.” This holds especially true when talking about your skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, a diet high in carbohydrates and fat can lead to premature aging whereas a diet rich in antioxidant-based food can promote healthy, youthful skin.”
Next time you go grocery shopping, be sure to stock up on such foods as: blueberries, spinach, beans, salmon, nuts, tomatoes, carrots and apricots. Drinking plenty of water is also key to rid your body of toxins and keep your skin hydrated.
Sleeping with Your Make-Up On We’re all guilty of staying out too late and going to bed with our makeup on. Sleeping with your makeup on once in a while is not a big deal. Your face won’t fall off. However, doing it every night becomes a problem. While we are sleeping, our skin repairs itself and builds collagen, which helps us look more youthful. If our skin is clogged with dirt, bacteria and makeup (depending on what kind you use) it can’t properly heal.
When your pores are clogged, that can lead to acne breakouts. Your pillowcase is also a magnet for dirt, bacteria and makeup. When you don’t wash the day off of your face, you will be rolling around in it night after night pushing the day’s junk into your pores.
Forgetting Your Lips Lips have almost no melanin in them (pigment that gives color to the skin), so it’s vital that you protect them. “The lower lip, which receives greater sun exposure, is especially vulnerable to squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common skin cancer,” according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Using a lip balm or lipstick with an SPF 15 or higher will block out those damaging UV rays. Don’t forget to reapply! Not only will you prevent cancer, but also chapping, peeling and dryness.
Not Exfoliating Exfoliating, or removing the dead skin cells from your face, is an often overlooked, but important step to maintain a youthful glow. Exfoliating your skin will not only make your skin brighter and healthier, but will also allow your skin care products to penetrate deeper into your skin since they will not have to fight through the dead skin first. There are many ways to exfoliate your skin including scrubs, chemical peels, medical skin care and exfoliating tools. How often you should exfoliate depends on your skin type, but be careful not to exfoliate too often.
By changing some of these daily habits and talking to your medical skin care professional, you will be on your way to healthier skin in no time! For the full list of skin mistakes, visit our blog at blog.veinmedicalspa.com
Jennifer Griffith is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner, practicing and residing here in Warsaw. She is a member of American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Coalition of Advance Practice Nurses of Indiana. She received her Nursing and Nurse Practitioner degrees from Goshen College and Indiana Wesleyan University. Jennifer is a Clinical Instructor nationally to physicians and nurses on medical cosmetic procedures.
Do you have a question for Jennifer, about this article or another cosmetic skin care issue? Please call Vein Institute & Medical Spa at 574-267-1900 to have your questions answered and considered for future columns. Questions can also be submitted online at www.veinmedicalspa.com
