Top 10 Skin Fails!!!

With all the beauty magazines, online beauty advice columns and the plethora of skin care products available on the market, it’s no wonder why people are making mistakes. Skin care is a delicate handle and everyone has their own two cents on the best routine for care. With contradicting information and a ton of products out there competing for your purchase, what can you do? Be mindful of the top 10 skin fails (in no particular order) and adjust your daily skin care routine accordingly!

Skin Fail #10- Using Tanning Beds! 

That’s right ladies (and gents). Despite all the skin cancer warnings, early signs of aging research and that unnatural orange glow being associated with them, many of you are still making the skin fail of tanning in these beds! Just a friendly reminder that orange glow is not attractive and is a tell all sign to everyone that it is fake. A more serious reminder is that Melanoma is a dangerous form of skin cancer that will kill you if not noticed in time. Stop using these tanning beds, please!

Skin Fail #9- Not Applying Sunscreen! 

Somehow we have embraced the idea that “tan” is sexy and it is a must to embody it. Not applying sunscreen can lead to premature signs of aging, sunspots and skin cancer. Even on those cloudy days, the UV rays are out and dangerous. Apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 everyday. You should apply sunscreen 30 minutes before exposure to the sun (this allows ingredients to stabilize) and reapply throughout the day, during excessive hours spent outside. Reapply after activities such as swimming. Skin cancer is the number one cancer killing young woman and yet we continue to hop into tanning beds and lay out for hours in the sun unprotected? Stop it! Having sun kissed skin is not worth dying by the age of 30.

Skin Fail #8- Sleeping With Makeup On! 

Who hasn’t made this mistake at least once in their life? Wearing makeup to bed can lead to clogged pores and disruption of cellular regeneration that occurs during our sleeping hours. Many cosmetics are made with skin irritants and chemicals that will absorb into the skin overnight, making wearing it to bed, a big mistake.

Skin Fail #7- Using Products With Known Skin Allergens! 

It is important that you educate yourself about harmful toxins, chemicals and skin irritants before selecting the products you utilize on your skin! Some common allergens used in cosmetics and skin care products, include: Parabens, sulfates, beeswax, formaldehyde releasing preservatives, PEGs, oatmeal (gluten component), lanolin, fragrances, dyes, acrylates and unfractionated botanical oils/plants.  Read labels carefully. Look for products that are 100% hypoallergenic.

Skin Fail #6- Not Getting Enough Sleep! 

We have all heard the term, “We need our beauty sleep.” It’s true! Skin rejuvenates or renews itself while we are sleeping. Be sure to get an adequate amount of sleep each night.

Skin Fail #5- Puckering Up! 

Puckering your lips to suck on water bottles and other beverages in those 20 ounce containers will lead to wrinkles around your mouth. Ditch the sodas and energy drinks and hydrate your skin with H2O. Avoid bottles that cause you to purse your lips, instead squeeze the water into your mouth!

Skin Fail #4- Over Exfoliating!

One of the biggest skin fails I see, is women over exfoliating their skin, with exfoliating devices and harsh cleansers. This can exacerbate conditions such as eczema and rosacea. It leads to skin irritation, redness, inflammation, peeling and skin sensitivity. Be gentle with your skin. Use cool water and a mild cleanser to wash your face.

Skin Fail #3- Hot Water

Another major skin fail is taking long, hot, steamy showers. Hot bubble baths and hot tubs are equally damaging. The hotter the water is, the drier your skin will become. Use lukewarm water and limit shower times to 5-10 minutes.

Skin Fail #2- Applying Straight Vitamin E 

Many people believe that applying Vitamin E will help to prevent scarring, when in fact research doesn’t support that. The result? Irritated skin.

Skin Fail #1- Not Moisturizing Properly 

As you may have guessed it already, skin moisturization is imperative for maintaining skin health. There are two skin fails associated with moisturizing. Firstly, not moisturizing enough. Apply moisturizer at least twice per day ( 4 times per day for severe cases of dry skin). Secondly, using the wrong moisturizers. The best skin care products will contain the healing properties of ceramides. Ceramides make up 47% of the skin and need to be replenished. They are lost due to environmental factors and sun damage. Ceramide 3 is the best.

Always use moisturizers that are 100% hypoallergenic and free of allergens and skin irritants!

Dr. Cheryl Lee Eberting is a past fellow of the National Institutes of Health. And has studied Anti-Aging techniques as they pertain to Skin Barrier Optimization (SBO).