While the pandemic has forced us to embrace social distancing and stay indoors as much as possible, it has also given us ample time for self-care. Most of us are using all the extra time (that we usually spent on commuting) on pampering our skin and bodies. Yet, despite all the efforts, some aren’t seeing the desired results they expected — clear and healthy skin. Ever wondered why?
While following a good skincare routine is essential, it is also essential to pick products that are suitable for your skin type and apply it the right way to get the skin of your dreams. To make sure you are doing it right, here are five common at-home facial skincare mistakes you need to stop making RN
- Mistake #01 - Not being wary of DIY ingredients
- Mistake #02 - Applying serum on top of moisturiser
- Mistake #03 - Not removing makeup before washing face
- Mistakes #04 - Using alcohol-based products
- Mistake #05 - Skipping sunscreen
Mistake #01 - Not being wary of DIY ingredients
DIY skincare is all the rage right now, but that doesn’t mean you can pick any ingredient from the kitchen and apply it on your face. Not all DIY ingredients work; in fact, some of them can cause severe irritation and dryness. These irritating ingredients can cause the breakdown of collagen and protective layers of the skin, causing hyperpigmentation and leaving behind nasty scars. Here are some DIY skincare mistakes to avoid.
Mistake #02 - Applying serum on top of moisturiser
Layering your skincare products correctly is as important as using them. To obtain the best results it is necessary to learn a few basic skincare rules — like the order in which to apply your skincare products. Most women end up applying a serum on top of their moisturiser, thus not making full use of its potential. Serums like the Lakme Absolute Argan Oil Radiance Overnight Oil-in-Serum contain potent active ingredients that you want to penetrate as deeply as possible into the skin. Thus, always apply the serum directly after cleansing/toning and before your moisturiser and sunscreen. As a general rule of thumb, apply your products in this order: cleanser, toner, mask, serum, eye cream, moisturiser, oil and SPF.
Mistake #03 - Not removing makeup before washing face
Cleansing your face with a suitable cleanser twice a day is without a doubt the most important step in skincare. But if you live in a city with high pollution levels or wear makeup daily, simply using a face wash isn’t enough. First, cleanse your face with a cotton pad and micellar water such as the Simple Kind To Skin Micellar Cleansing Water. This will remove makeup as well as surface dirt; then, use a purifying face wash like the Ponds Pure White Anti Pollution Face Wash to get rid of the deep-set dirt and grime with ease.
Mistakes #04 - Using alcohol-based products
A lot of skincare products, especially toners formulated for oily skin type contain alcohol. While this may control oil, it can leave the skin feeling dry. To avoid this, use an alcohol-free toner like the Lakme Absolute Pore Fix Toner that gets rid of excess oil without leaving the skin feeling dry and itchy.
Mistake #05 - Skipping sunscreen
Even if you don’t intend to step out of the house, it is necessary to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen like the Ponds Sun Protect Non-Oily Sunscreen SPF 30 to protect the skin from sun damage. This is because glass windows can block UVB rays, but UVA rays pass through and are quite harmful to the skin; they cause premature ageing of the skin — and you definitely don’t want that.
Written by Sanya Hamdani on Sep 28, 2020
Sanya Hamdani is a skincare enthusiast and lipstick hoarder, she truly believes no two red lipsticks look exactly alike. With a Master's degree in Communication & Journalism and 5+ years of digital writing experience up her sleeve, Sanya has some of the biggest beauty experts in the country on her speed dial. When she's not swatching products or writing about the latest trends in beauty, you will find her watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S. or cooking up a storm in the kitchen.