5 Skin Care Sins You Need To Give Up Yesterday

Look, we get it - none of us are perfect. We all make mistakes.

But when it comes to your skincare routine, some mistakes are worse than others. And partaking in these skincare sins will leave your skin dull, damaged, and in desperate need of TLC.

But what are these skincare sins? And how can you avoid them?

Here are five skin care sins you need to give up yesterday (and how to take care of your skin instead):

Falling Asleep In Your Makeup

We get it - after a long day at work (or a long night out partying), sometimes you just want to crawl into bed and fall asleep. But skipping your skincare routine and falling asleep in a full face of makeup is a HUGE no-no.

Not washing your makeup off before you hit your pillow can have seriously adverse effects on your skin. When you don’t cleanse your face, not only will your makeup stay on your skin, but so will all the dirt that’s accumulated over the course of the day. Oh, and we can’t forget all those dead skin cells!

As you sleep, all of that makeup and dirt and accumulated skin can clog your pores, leaving you with a fresh face of pimples. And no one wants to start the morning with a fresh breakout.

You should ALWAYS cleanse your face and go through your skincare routine before bed. And for those nights you can’t muster up the energy to get out of bed and into the bathroom, at the very least keep a package of cleansing cloths in your nightstand. That way, you can do a quick swipe and get the makeup off your face before you snooze.

Skipping The SPF

Of all the skincare sins you could commit, this one is a strong contender for the worst.

SPF needs to be a non-negotiable part of your skincare routine. And not just on beach days! SPF protects your skin from the sun’s harmful UVA, UVB, and Infrared rays, which you’re exposed to whether you’re spending your day lying on the sand or running outside to get coffee on your lunch break.

When you skip SPF, you’re exposing your skin to sun damage, which can leave you with a dull complexion, hyperpigmentation, premature signs of aging… oh, and a little something called skin cancer.

Protect yourself. Protect your skin. Slather on SPF before you leave the house.

Skipping An Exfoliant…

Exfoliation is one of the most important part of your skincare routine. But for whatever reason, it also seems to be the step most people skip.

Skipping your exfoliant is a mortal skincare sin. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. When you exfoliate and get rid of those dead skin cells, all of your other products - your serums, your moisturizers, your treatments - can penetrate the skin on a deeper level… and give you better, more noticeable results in the process.

But when those dead skin cells are just hanging out on the surface of your skin, your products can’t get to where they need to go… and as such, won’t be as effective.

If you’re not getting the results you want from your skincare regimen, take a look at your exfoliating habits. If exfoliation isn’t a regular part of your routine, you found the culprit.

… Or Using An Exfoliant That’s Too Harsh For Your Skin

That being said, not all exfoliation is created equal. There are different types of exfoliation, and if you have a sensitive skin type, using an exfoliant that’s too harsh for your skin can be just as damaging - or more so - than skipping an exfoliant all together.

There are three types of exfoliation: physical, chemical, and enzymatic. Physical exfoliants scrub away dead skin cells. Chemical exfoliants, which are AHAs (like glycolic or lactic acid) or BHAs (like salicylic acid), dissolve dead skin cells, and enzyme exfoliants, which use fruit enzymes, like papaya or pineapple, to dissolve the keratin proteins that keep those dead skin cells stuck to the surface of your skin.

Physical exfoliants in particular can be incredibly harsh on the skin. The rough texture of these scrubs can cause micro-tears in the skin, which can lead to dryness and irritation.

Chemical exfoliation can also be a challenge to people with sensitive skin. AHAs and BHAs can cause redness, dryness, irritation and inflammation, especially if it’s used in higher concentrations.

If your skin is on the sensitive side, it’s best to stick to enzyme exfoliants, like the DERMOVIA Lace Your Face Exfoliating Papaya. Thanks to papaya enzymes, this mask will exfoliate the skin and give you the smooth appearance you crave, but without any harsh side effects thanks to the calming chamomile and cucumber.

Sticking To The Basics (And Just The Basics)

If you’re a wash-your-face-and-go kind of person, you’re doing yourself - and your skin - a huge disservice.

The right skincare regimen can have dramatic effects on the skin. Giving your skin the ingredients and products it needs to thrive will keep your flawless complexion intact for years to come. But washing your face and calling it a day?

It’s just not going to cut it.

Your skin care regimen should include:

• Cleanser
• Toner (if you’re dry or sensitive, you can skip this step)
• Serum
• Moisturizer
• Eye Cream
• Exfoliant
• Booster treatments at least 2x per week (like Lace Your Face!)

You’ll also need to add an SPF in during the day (see sin #2).

If you’re doing anything LESS than this on a twice-daily basis, you’re going to find yourself dealing with a whole mess of skin issues. So do yourself a favor - break away from the basics and get a skincare routine in place that will give you the results you’re looking for. Trust us - it’s worth the time.

If you’ve committed these skincare sins, don’t worry - like we said, no one’s perfect. But now that you know the damage these sins can cause, it’s time to get back on the right track and give your skin what it needs to flourish.