It’s ironic that sometimes the very beauty routines you devoutly follow can actually make you look older! From sleeping on your face to forgetting to take off your makeup at night, little faux pas like these can cause those lines and wrinkles to deepen, aging you before your time. Read on for the eight worst mistakes that play havoc with your looks
Mistake # 1Forgetting to take off your makeup
Taking off your makeup in the p.m. is a biggie. Apart from causing clogged pores and the resultant bacteria, dirt, and grime—hello breakouts!—makeup and environmental pollutants seep into the skin through the day breaking down collagen that gives skin elasticity. Leaving the makeup on when you catch zzzs, chokes skin, dehydrating it, and highlighting fine lines and wrinkles.
Tackle it: Be scrupulous about taking off your makeup in the pm. Cleanse and moisturize skin before you hit the sack and you’ll be surprised how plump and hydrated your skin looks every morning.
Recommended: Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water and Kaya Everyday Cleansing Wipes - Everyday Essentials (30 Pieces).
Mistake # 2Not exfoliating regularly
Regular exfoliation helps to remove dulling dead, surface cells, and hard-to-reach dirt and grime that accumulate in pores making your skin look sallow and old. Following an exfoliation routine not only brightens the complexion it also allows your skin cream and moisturizer to penetrate the skin better.
Tackle it: That’s not to say that you should be scrubbing away at your face daily. Over exfoliating is a big no-no because it can make delicate facial skin raw, dehydrated, and exposed to sun damage and environmental toxins. Use an exfoliator once or twice a week to encourage natural cellular turnover and always follow up with a soothing cream with SPF.
Recommended: Skin Lab Exfoliating Facial Scrub and Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Scrub Foam.
Mistake # 3Picking at zits
You wake up in the morning, peer into the mirror, and a red, angry bump stares right back at you. It’s a natural impulse to want to pick at it and flatten it. Don’t! Picking or squeezing can drive acne bacteria deeper into the skin, leading to more inflammation, permanent scarring, and even wrinkles.
Tackle it: Instead of picking at pimples, start using non-comedogenic makeup and sunscreen. Use an anti-acne face wash and tried-and-tested spot removal formula. Use a mineral-based makeup base like L'Oreal Paris True Match Minerals Skin-Improving Foundation, and always use an anti-acne formula like Avene TriAcneal Expert to tackle the problem at the root.
Mistake # 4Skipping sunscreen
This is a basic mistake that many gals make, believing that sunscreens will cause them to breakout. Photoaging is a well-established fact. Take a look at the complexions of men and women who spend hours in the sun; their skin takes on a leathery, lined appearance. “It’s been proved that exposure to sunshine for even a few minutes can lead to a breakdown of collagen, leading to fine lines and wrinkles,” says Nykaa skin expert Dr. Jaishree Sharad.
Tackle it: Dr. Sharad suggests wearing sunscreen every day, rain, or shine. “Choose one with SPF 30 and contains contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide,” she adds. There are plenty of oil-free formulas suited for oily skin. Remember to reapply every three-four hours, more often if you sweat a lot or are splashing in the pool.
Recommended: Lakme Sun Expert SPF 50 PA+++ Ultra Matte Gel Sunscreen and La Shield Sunscreen Gel SPF 40.
Mistake # 5Not extending your skincare to your neck, chest, and hands
Most gals tend to focus all their age-defying potions and serums to their faces, ignoring their neck, décolletage, and hands. The result: while the face looks relatively younger, the neck, décolletage, and hands sport brown spots, fine lines, and redness. Nothing gives away a lady’s age like her hands!
Tackle it: Make sure you slather the same TLC on these oft-neglected areas as well. Remember to use sunscreen on all exposed areas including the neck, arms, and hands. In the p.m. give your hardworking hands some extra pampering and lavish them with a rich cream like Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream. It’s also a good idea to use a nourishing body moisturizer on your neck and décolletage at night. Try or Sebamed Anti-Dry Hydrating Body Lotion.
Mistake # 6Avoiding anti-aging products because you think you're too young
Most young women feel they have all the time in the world before they need to start thinking about adopting an anti-aging routine. Talk to any dermatologist and he’ll tell you there are countless young brides-to-be lining up for Botox shots before their weddings to mask pesky lines and wrinkles. Unless you start using Peptide and Vitamin A packed youth potions in your mid-20s, chances are you’re not going to look 30 when you’re 40!
Tackle it: Bottom line, it’s never too early to start! Start using Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid infused creams from your mid-20s. Take your pick of Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-Ageing Revitalizing Night Skin Cream and Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel. This is also the time when early signs of pigmentation can be seen and it’s a good idea to use a skin lightening treatment like Sesderma Kojicol Plus Skin Lightener Gel on the nights you skip the cream. It contains whitening agents Kojic Acid, Glycolic Acid, and Phytic Acid that penetrate into melanin loaded cells to lighten skin tone from within.
Mistake # 7Sleeping on your face
It’s hard to change your position while you’re asleep, but if you tend to sleep stomach down or sideways, chances are you’re pressing down on your face. Over time, the creases on your face can become permanent.
Tackle it: Instead of sleeping on coarse cotton pillows, switch to satin pillowcases that cause much less friction against skin. Better still, try getting into the habit of sleeping on your back.
Mistake # 8Poor lifestyle choices
Smoking is the commonest cause of wrinkles around the eyes and lips. Excessive drinking damages the liver and sallow, dehydrated skin is common after a night out. Besides, alcohol negatively impacts Vitamin A levels in the body. Vitamin A is an important antioxidant that aids in the regeneration of skin cells and collagen. Look around, regular drinkers tend to look older than their years. Similarly eating junk food—high in sugar—causes puffiness and a loss in skin elasticity.
Tackle it: Limit alcohol intake to a glass or two of wine per week. Make sure you keep your system well hydrated with regular aqua and green tea (Try Goodwyn Green Tea 20 Tea Bags or Organic India Tulsi Jasmine Green Tea). Snack on fruit, whole-grain crackers and yogurt and say no to fried, fatty or processed foods.
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