We’re all a little naughty sometimes, and that’s perfectly normal. Some rules are meant to be broken, and a little naughtiness certainly makes life interesting.
However, when it comes to your skin, regular naughty habits can make you look older than you are. Much older. So if you’re committing one of these skin crimes right now, it’s probably a good idea to stop immediately.
7. you don’t use a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Unfortunately, not all sunscreens are created equal. To effectively prevent both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) damage, you must use a product that offers broad spectrum protection. If it doesn’t, you should throw it away immediately. Oh, and don’t be shy about application either – your face and neck need a full teaspoon of product to be fully protected.
[adrotate group=”1″]6. you delay your anti-aging program.
Prevention is always better than cure. We know this. So start using eye cream when you’re 18, serums when you’re 25, and anti-aging ingredients like retinol when you’re 30 and already very active. By treating your skin well from the start, you can effectively slow down the signs of aging before they even appear, and you’ll maintain smooth, younger-looking skin for much longer.
5. you use certain products at the wrong time
We pat ourselves on the back for all those who add exceptional anti-aging ingredients to their skincare routine, but which times you use them matters a lot. Antioxidants like vitamin C should be used in the morning to combat UV radiation and free radical damage during the day, while collagen-boosting ingredients (like retinoids and peptides) and chemical exfoliants like alpha and beta hydroxy acids should be used at night when your skin is in repair mode.
[adrotate group=”1″]4. you act as if your skin has not changed.
As we get older, our skin becomes drier, thinner, and sometimes even more sensitive. That means the same skincare products you used in your early 20s won’t cut it in your 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond. Find out what issues your skin has right now (e.g. wrinkles, pigmentation or redness) and adjust your products accordingly.
3. you neglect your eyes
Your eye area is often neglected. It is an important part of your facial expression, but because the skin there is thinner than other parts of the face, it is prone to fine lines and wrinkles. This means you need to stop rubbing your eye area – this can destroy delicate blood vessels and cause wrinkles – and apply an anti-aging eye cream morning and night.
[adrotate group=”1″]2. you treat your acne as an adult like pimples as a teenager.
When you are a teenager, your spots are caused by puberty and excessive oil production. In adulthood, stress, hormonal changes and your skin type are usually the triggers for pimples. So instead of trying to strip your skin of all oil like you did as a teenager to get rid of your pimples, try using a cleanser that contains salicylic acid to unclog pores and clear your skin of blockages, as well as weekly cleansing masks to promote clear skin.
1. You forget about your neck and your chest.
You really need to stop doing this. Your face doesn’t end at your jaw line – it ends at your chest. Your neck and décolletage are always on display. So treat them with the same respect as your face, and use cleansers, exfoliators, serums, moisturizers and sunscreens all the way up to your breasts.
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