Skin Care Dos and Don'ts for All Ages
There's no ceiling age for committing to skin care. Whether you're a Zoomer or a Boomer, you want and need your skin to look and feel healthy. Want, because healthy-looking skin boosts your confidence, and that's what you arm yourself with in facing everyday challenges. Need, because healthy-feeling skin equates to general physiological health. Your skin reflects the state of your body as a whole.
Yes, skin care is part and parcel of holistic wellness. However, you cannot overdo it, nor can you do so little that your skincare routine remains inconsequential. On top of those, here are other dos and don'ts.
Skincare Dos
Moisturize daily
How best to hydrate skin boils down to applying moisturizer every day. For best results, know your skin type before shopping for a moisturizing product. The four skin types include dry, oily, combination, and sensitive.
How your skin reacts to certain moisturizing ingredients will depend on your skin type, so consider that with earnestness. Otherwise, you might end up exacerbating oily or dry skin or, worse, wreak havoc on your sensitive skin. Favor products with amino acids, hyaluronic acid, and silk proteins.
Wear sunscreen every day
UV rays are the number one enemy of your skin. Get exposed to them a lot, and you fast-track your skin's aging. To combat that, arm your skin with sunscreen every day. Even if you do not go out, wear it still. Remember that your house's interior is not spared from those harmful sun rays.
Use sunscreen with at least SPF30, designed to deflect UVA and UVB rays. Reapply as needed throughout the day.
Take enough antioxidants
Aging reduces the collagen produced by your body. As a result, the elastin fibers on your skin loosen up. Your skin also becomes less elastic, making it prone to wrinkles. Add to the equation cell degeneration due to oxidation that releases free radicals, and you get skin that may look older than its actual age.
To prevent this from happening, get your daily dose of antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, lycopene, selenium, and beta-carotene.
Remove makeup before bedtime
It's understandable. Sometimes your day gets so hectic and stressful that when you get home, the first thing you want to do is call it a day and retire to your bed.
However, if you wear makeup for the rest of the day, you must exert that extra effort to stay awake long enough to get rid of it. Otherwise, you're putting your skin at risk for clogged pores, irritation, and, ultimately, breakouts.
Throughout the day, dirt and toxins collect on your face. Makeup makes those impurities even more clingy. Make it a habit to wash them with a good cleanser before sleep time.
Get enough sleep
It's called beauty sleep for a reason. It allows your body to recuperate and regenerate enough to keep it looking healthy—your skin, most especially. So, despite the daily grind, make sure you clock in those eight hours in la-la-land.
Skincare Don'ts
Don't exfoliate every day
There's a common misconception that daily exfoliation makes the skin soft and supple. Do not fall for that misguided skincare mantra. Remember that you're introducing friction when exfoliating to remove dead skin cells. Too much friction will never be good for the skin. Daily friction is too much, so take that off your skincare routine.
Don't apply moisturizer around and under the eyes
This might sound counterintuitive, but trust us, this is good advice. The reason is that the skin under and around your eyes differs from the rest of your face. It's thinner and more delicate. Also, it cannot absorb the molecules in moisturizers because those are too large. In effect, they accumulate on the skin, leading to milia (white bumps).
Instead of using moisturizer, have a dedicated eye cream to stave off crow's feet and other signs of aging that appear around the eyes.
Don't pop pimples
Let professionals pop your pimples if you're inclined to some pimple-popping. A dermatologist knows how to do it without scarring or hyperpigmentation. Also, picking at your skin may irritate the pores and exacerbate breakouts. So, no matter how pesky those facial bumps get, refrain from giving in to the temptation.
Don't overdo skin washing
Another misconception is the more frequently you wash your face, the cleaner and healthier it gets. What that actually achieves is the opposite. The skin loses its natural moisture. As a result, it overcompensates with excessive sebum production. If that's not enough of a downside, consider how you're wasting your skincare supplies without getting your desired effects.
Don't overdo skincare
A year or so ago, the Korean-inspired skincare that promises glass skin was all the rage. While that's okay if it suits your skin type and budget, it's probably not for everyone. The key is knowing what works for you and sticking with it.
Do not get behind trends just for the heck of it. It's better to simplify your skincare routine so long as you're getting the results you want, you're on the right track.
Don't smoke or drink
Carbon monoxide from tobacco dries your skin; it may even discolor it. Meanwhile, alcohol robs your skin of moisture. So, if you can, skip these unhealthy habits.
Don't tan
Tanning is never safe. So don't trust those false advertisements from tanning salons. If you want to get a tan, do it naturally. And do it while your skin is sufficiently covered in sunscreen.
Do What's Helpful, Not What's Harmful
Rest assured that the skincare tips cited above do not discriminate. They apply to all ages. So, if you want to achieve that great skin you've always dreamed of, take these dos and don'ts to heart. Sure, these skincare basics require commitment and consistency. But that's a small price to pay for achieving your skin goals.
Rest assured that all your skincare efforts and sacrifices will be worth it. Stick to the plan, and before you know it, your entire body will be wrapped around radiant skin that not only looks good but makes you feel even better.