Revamp your skincare routine by avoiding these common mistakes highlighted by dermatologists. Read on to learn healthier skin habits now! Discover what dermatologists advise against to maintain radiant skin.
Skincare habits play a crucial role in maintaining healthy and radiant skin. However, some common practices can be detrimental to the skin’s health. Dermatologists and skincare experts have identified several skincare habits. They wish people would drop them. This would benefit their skin.
1. Stop following Unverified TikTok Skincare Trends
Social media platforms are popular for skincare advice and trends. TikTok is particularly popular. However, dermatologists warn against blindly following these trends without proper research or consultation. Dr. Hysem Eldik is a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical.
He stresses that skincare routines should be unique, as each person’s skin is special. Tara Adashev is a nurse at Dr. Neinstein Plastic Surgery. She also warns against trying every skincare trend on TikTok. You should not do this without considering your skin’s needs.
Some TikTok trends can be harmful to the skin. For instance, dermatologist Naana Boakye has encountered patients using deodorant on their faces. This can potentially cause irritant-contact dermatitis.
2. Stop overdoing it with exfoliation
Exfoliation is vital in skincare. But, doing it too much can harm the skin. Dermatologist Courtney Rubin explains that many patients over-exfoliate their skin. They do so using abrasive scrubs, brushes, or chemicals like glycolic acid.
This can harm the skin barrier. It causes inflammation, redness, burning, flaking, dryness, and breakouts.
The recommended frequency for exfoliation is once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells. Dermatologist Claire Wolinsky also warns against using many products.
They have the same active ingredients. These are things like vitamin C or AHA/BHAs. This can cause skin irritation and waste money.
3. Start cleaning your pillowcase, face masks, and phones
Dermatologists stress the importance of cleaning personal items often. These are things that touch the skin. They include phones, pillowcases, face masks, and makeup brushes.
These items can gather oil, bacteria, and residue from skin and hair products. They cause breakouts and irritation.
Dermatologist Marisa Garshick noted that patients with rashes or breakouts on one side of the face often use that side to speak on the phone or sleep on it.
Dermatologist Corey Hartman also emphasizes the need to clean makeup brushes often. This prevents the transfer of bacteria to the face. Bacteria can cause acne or infections.
4. Stop Taking Long Showers or Baths
Long showers or baths may be relaxing. But, dermatologist Michael Gold advises against them. This is especially true for patients with atopic dermatitis. Prolonged exposure to water can cause excessive skin dryness.
Gold recommends taking short showers or baths. Dry the skin by patting it. Then, apply a dermatologist-recommended moisturizer.
5. Stop Using Expired Skincare Products
Dermatologist DiAnne Davis warns against using skincare products past their expiration date. Expired products may lose their effectiveness and potentially cause skin irritation. If products do not have an expiration date, Davis suggests replacing them each season.
6. Stop Sleeping on Your Side
Dermatologist Luigi Polla founded Forever Institut and Alchimie Forever. He says that side sleeping can worsen chest wrinkles and increase sagging on the face and chest. The wrinkles are often deeper on the side that is slept on.
7. Dermatologists Urge: Stop Tanning!
Here’s the deal – tanning is bad news, whether you’re baking in the sun or frying in a tanning bed. As dermatologist Hadley King says, she’s shocked when patients think getting a tan is fine as long as they wear sunscreen.
Let’s get one thing straight: there’s no such thing as a “healthy tan.” When your skin gets tan, it’s actually a defense reaction happening because UV rays are damaging your skin cell DNA. Not good! This damage boosts your risk for skin cancer and premature aging.
So take it from the docs – skip the tanning and embrace your beautiful natural skin tone! Going for that bronzed look simply isn’t worth the harm you’re doing beneath the surface. Protect your skin, avoid those UV rays, and say no to tanning!
8. Drop the DIY Mole Removal – Here’s Why
We get it – those moles can be annoying. But dermatologist Brian Hibler urges: resist the urge to remove them yourself at home.
Hibler has seen patients come in with marks and scars after trying do-it-yourself mole remedies. These at-home treatments typically burn off skin cells, leading to scarring or even infection.
Even worse, if you had skin cancer, you may not remove all the cancerous cells. Leftover cancer cells could keep growing under your skin and spread. Yikes!
So don’t take chances trying to burn, freeze, or extract moles at home. Consult a dermatologist to examine any worrisome growths instead. They can properly remove moles using safe, effective techniques.
Your skin will thank you when you let the pros handle mole removal. DIY methods often do more harm than good, so it’s best to avoid them.
9. Don’t Skip the Sunscreen!
Here’s a scary sunscreen sin I hear from patients all the time, according to dermatologist Reid Maclellan. They skip the sunscreen on cloudy days!
Let me be clear: sunscreen is a daily must, rain or shine. Even on gray days, those UV rays get through clouds and can damage and age your skin over time. Skipping sunscreen anytime you’re outdoors boosts your skin cancer risk. Yikes!
And listen up, makeup wearers. Dermatologist Rebecca Marcus warns that combo makeup-sunscreen products usually fall short on protection. To get the labeled SPF, you’d need to lather on way more product than normal makeup application.
So keep makeup and sunscreen separate, or use a tinted sunscreen for your base. But don’t rely on makeup with SPF to shield you – it likely won’t provide full sun protection no matter the weather.
Conclusion
Dermatologists encourage people to watch their skincare habits. They should make any needed changes to have healthy skin. Avoid unverified social media trends. Neglecting personal item hygiene harms skin appearance. Side sleeping can lead to skin issues. Consulting with a dermatologist for personalized skincare advice is always recommended.
This article was originally published on HuffPost. I’m summarizing the key information here for readers as a public service announcement about an important skincare topic – the risks of tanning.
While the content is based on the HuffPost article, it’s presented in my own words and style. Any insights you gain are thanks to the credible experts quoted in the original piece.
My goal is simply to reformat this as an engaging, reader-friendly summary that may inspire you to protect your skin this summer!
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Iskra Banović is our seasoned Editor-in-Chief at Blufashion. She has been steering the website’s content and editorial direction since 2018. With a rich background in fashion design, Iskra’s expertise spans across fashion, interior design, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and culture.
