More than 85 million Americans are affected by some skin condition, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Skin disorders are more than just itchy annoyances; they can be a real impediment to the way of life. As such, people with skin diseases go to great lengths to deal with those problems, and it isn’t cheap. The same AAD report revealed that Americans spent up to $75 billion in a single year to treat skin conditions.
However, according to Dr. Richard Bruneteau, one of Nebraska’s leading skincare experts, a lot of these conditions can be avoided by practicing proper skincare techniques. This article will discuss skin care techniques that you should follow, as well as those that you should avoid.
Skincare Techniques to Avoid
It may come as a surprise to learn that some of your skincare routines might be counterproductive to your efforts. If you are doing any of the following, we recommend that you stop:
- Over-Washing Your Face
After a long day, there’s nothing that one looks forward to more than a good bath to help relax the muscles. During that bath, however, people often over-wash their faces in a bid to remove every last bit of sweat and dirt that they accumulated during the day.
Nonetheless, you risk stripping off essential oils and lipids during those efforts. You see, your skin’s first layer of protection is a lipid film produced by your sebaceous glands. This film is responsible for protecting your skin against the sun’s UV rays and infection-causing microbial organisms. Additionally, it lessens the effects of aging, such as wrinkling and dryness.
- Not Cleansing
Even though you are being asked not to over-wash, it doesn’t mean that you should get lazy at it. Take your time and use a gentle cleanser to wash and cleanse off all dirt and makeup carefully. This allows your pores to breathe, thus enhancing your complexion.
- Using a Cleansing Brush
Cleansing brushes are useful tools for people with thick, oily skins. However, they are not recommended for those with sensitive skins. They not only strip away your essential lipid layer but can also cause irritation.
- Exfoliating Without Moisturizing
Exfoliation is an excellent skincare procedure. It allows you to get rid of dead cells, leaving behind a softer and younger-looking skin. Nonetheless, it is crucial that you seal your skin with a moisturizer after exfoliating as it helps the skin heal on a microscopic level.
- Picking at Pimples
Pimples stick out like sore thumbs, and this is why we are quick to pick at them. However, doing that breaks the skin barrier to bacteria. Additionally, it causes redness and inflammation, hence compounding the initial problem.
You could even end up with a scar. As such, you should desist from disturbing pimples. If it is itchy, consider applying an ice pack over it. And because pimples are usually caused by clogged sebaceous glands, steaming your face can help unclog them, thus preventing the issue from escalating.
- Using Too Many Products
A lot of women use a wide array of skincare products, without evaluating whether each product is compatible with their skin. As such, in case they develop an issue with their skin, it becomes difficult to identify the product that might be causing the problem.
To avoid this, it is a good idea to consult an expert so they can recommend the most appropriate products for your skin.
Recommended Skincare Techniques
Now that you know which techniques that you should consider avoiding, let us now look at practices that you should be following:
- Treating Your Skin Gently
To avoid stripping away essential skin oils, consider utilizing the following tips:
- Limit your bath or shower time. Also, use warm water instead of hot.
- Avoid strong soaps and detergents and opt for mild cleansers instead.
- Gently pat yourself die instead of rubbing your towel against your face.
- Moisturize if you have dry skin. Ensure that the moisturizer is ideal for your skin type.
- Wash Your Face When Appropriate
The appropriate times for washing your face are after waking up, before you go to bed, and after sweating.
- Use Products that are Ideal for Your Skin
A product that did wonders to your friend’s skin might not have the same effect on you. Worse, it could yield unwanted results. As such, it is best only to use products that are formulated for your skin type.
- Protect Your Skin From the Sun
The sun’s UV rays can cause damaging effects on your skin such as wrinkles and age spots if you get exposed to them for long. Additionally, they predispose you to the risk of skin cancer. To avoid these problems, consider utilizing the following tips while out in the sun:
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 15. Be sure to use it generously if you shall be out for long; apply at least every two hours.
- Stay in the shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. as that’s when the sun’s rays are at their harshest.
- Wear protective clothing if you have to spend long hours in the sun. This includes apparel such as wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants.
Bonus Tip 1: Avoid Smoking
Adding to the long list of reasons why you shouldn’t smoke, is the effects that it has on your skin. Smoking speeds up the rate at which your skin ages, thus causing you to have premature wrinkles. This is because smoking causes blood vessels near the skin to constrict, hence decreasing blood flow. As such, the skin becomes deprived of oxygen and nutrients, resulting in pale and unhealthy looking skin.
Additionally, smoking damages elastin and collagen – the elements that give your skin its elasticity and strength.
Bonus Tip 2: Manage Stress
Stress has been found to make your skin more susceptible to acne breakouts as well as other skin conditions. Managing stress, therefore, is necessary if you are looking to maintain healthy skin.
Maintaining healthy and radiant skin is not that difficult. All you need is knowledge about how to take care of your skin type. This is why it is essential to seek the advice of a skincare expert, so they can guide you on how to handle your skin correctly. In the meanwhile, be sure to use the tips offered in this guide during your skincare efforts.
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