Skincare is a unique process for everyone. Beauty routines range from the systematically meticulous to borderline nonexistent. Any skincare professional will tell clients that the most important aspect of a skincare routine is customizing your process to your specific skin needs. But the truth of the matter is that no matter where you lie in the skincare spectrum, you could be making mistakes that cause your skin to age simply by washing your face incorrectly. We spoke to Manish Shah, M.D., a board-certified plastic surgeon and anti-aging expert in Denver, CO, on how counsels patients on cosmetic procedures, maintaining results, optimizing their skincare, and preventative measures. "While skin treatments, injectables, and surgery can help maintain the visual appearance, your basic skincare goes a long way toward preventing premature aging,” says Shah.
Here, discover eight ways Shah suggests you may be washing your face incorrectly.
1. Using Too Much Toner
Facial toners are an essential part of any beauty routine, however, using too much toner can dry out the skin and may even lead to more sebum (oil) production as your glands attempt to overcompensate. If you find your skin feeling tight or irritated after applying toner, you may be using too much, and this is especially true if you have sensitive or combination skin. Some toners come in a spray bottle, which is great for applying a light layer over the skin after cleansing. If not, simply pour a few drops of toner on a cotton pad and gently glide it across the face. Also, many toners have alcohol-based ingredients such as denatured alcohol in them. Avoid toners with these ingredients at all costs, as they will dry the skin completely and remove natural oils needed to keep the skin moist and healthy.
2. Using Products That Are Too Harsh
As consumers become more sophisticated, they inquire about ingredients they’ve been hearing about such as retinol. They may know it is super hydrating and great for the skin, but they likely don't understand that skincare needs to be sustainable, so they ask for the strongest, most active form of prescription retinoid. "This is a mistake," says Shah. "Any credible doctor will first assess the condition of the skin alongside the products and treatments you are already using in order to determine if you need prescription retinol or if a less active form sold over-the-counter is better for you." According to Shah, retinol in less active forms will have similar effects without irritating the skin as much, which will be helpful as consumers continue using a product on your skin over time.
3. Scrubbing Too Hard
Instead of rubbing and scrubbing your face to try to get it squeaky clean, motions used with cleansers should be as gentle as possible. The hands should not be doing all the work! Scrubbing the skin too harshly or with materials that add exfoliation can cause micro-tears in the skin as well as excessive elimination of essential oils which leave the skin dry.
4. Over Exfoliating
While gently exfoliating a few nights per week can do wonders for the skin, it's easy to go overboard. What keeps the skin looking fresh, young, and hydrated is preserving the outer layers glow by lightly helping it shed old skin cells and moisturizing to help cell turnover. However, the danger is that many people don't think to consider their loofah or washcloth as an exfoliation tool, says Shah. “Even if you are only using an exfoliant a few days a week if you are scrubbing with a harsher material every day, you could be exfoliating more than you intend and that can cause dryness, red patches, dehydration, and hyperpigmentation,” he explains.
5. Washing With Hot Water
Though it might feel good, using hot water to cleanse the face can actually dehydrate it. Hot water can be abrasive, stripping the skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and flaky. This can also lead to acne flareups, breakouts, and skin irritation. For best results, rinse the face with lukewarm or cool water—not cold either—to help constrict blood vessels. Shah also points out that hot water enlarges your pores, and this can affect the oil production of the skin as well as the texture of it.
6. Washing More Than Twice A Day
You may be thinking, the cleaner, the better, right? Think again. Over-washing your face can actually damage the skin's natural protective system, which then can affect how easily the environment irritates your skin, how efficiently you retain moisture, and over time can cause you to show early signs of aging such as fine lines and dry patches. "As a general rule of thumb, you should not be washing your face more than twice a day,” says Shah. “If you have an activity like working out or an outdoor sport in the middle of the day, try to use a bland soap or cleanser to wash away dirt and sweat without further irritating the skin.”
7. Forgetting To Follow Up with Moisturizer
"The best time to apply moisturizer is after the shower or after applying toner,” says Shah. “This will help prevent excessive dryness, and it will help to skin retain moisture," Moisturizers also come with a combination of vitamins and lipids that help the skin heal irritations, strengthen its protective functions, and look smoother and healthier.
8. Washing With Whatever Soap Is Available
Many people are guilty of this mistake. People tend to think that soap is soap, and a clean face is just a clean face, but you could be damaging your skin and aging yourself by washing the face with any available hand soap. Soaps with fragrances can be especially irritating to the skin. Overall, these soaps are not made for the face, and while this may be a minimalist approach, it borders on detrimental as hand soaps are dehydrating and lack many of the ingredients that optimize your skin's complexion.
If your clients claim to be taking care of their skin, but are still coming in with poor results, these reasons could explain. Be sure to share the above info with your clients to remind them that the best way to maintain glowing skin in between their spa visits is a healthy and well-maintained at-home skincare routine.
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