Let's admit it...we’re all guilty of at least one of the below skincare no-nos. Common reasons why we tend to do develop bad habits, even when our brain is screaming at us to stop, can be due to stress, lack of sleep, or hey, maybe you just didn’t know. I am happy you’re here, because we are in this journey together and I am going to tell you all about the green flags and red flags, the good and the bad, the gossip and the dirty when it comes to skin care and how breaking one simple habit can completely transform your skin.

1 - Picking

I want to start out by talking about one of the most common no-nos which is picking. I know what you're thinking because this is one of my biggest struggles…

“I cant help it.”

I've been there too. We tend to get a little too close in the mirror, see imperfections, feel bumpy textures, and immediately want to do something about it. Picking is the most common cause of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and will, overall, lead to color changes (lightening/darkening/redness) while causing permanent scar tissue or damage. Picking can be related to stress and can turn into something we do unknowingly. If you catch yourself picking, take ice and run it over your face.

2 - Over-exfoliating

Exfoliation is amazing for sloughing off dead skin cells as well as revealing a smoother and brighter complexion. Exfoliating products can be either physical (typically beaded and you’ll use your hands to rub it in) or chemical which will be your AHAs and BHAs (active ingredients). Although exfoliating is great, you should limit yourself to exfoliating two-to-three times a week at nighttime with days spaced out in between. If you over-exfoliate, you could have adverse reactions such as redness, sensitivity, micro-tears, breakouts, or color changes. Give your skin a chance to breathe and yourself a break from a more time consuming routine.

3 - SPF Importance

I know SPF can be a controversial topic when it comes to chemical SPF or the white cast that some sunscreens will leave on your face making you look absolutely insane. I have a solution to both of those problems...Colorscience Mineral Based SPF! It provides UVA, UVB, as well as blue light protection to give you the ultimate coverage. You will never leave the house with a white cast as these are tinted, bendable, and can work as a foundation makeup when layered! SPF is non-negotiable especially when treating pigmentation or environmental damage to prevent any future pigmentation or damage from forming. The sun is the #1 contributor to the aging process, so slap on that sunscreen every morning directly after moisturizer, and don’t forget to reapply!

4 - Assuming all skincare is equal

Yes, there is a huge difference between drugstore skin care and professional, medical-grade skincare. Not only is medical-grade skin care backed by clinical research, it actually makes a difference in your skin. A greater amount of the purest forms of the best active ingredients will extensively change your skin with a committed routine. Drug store skin care is packed with fillers (ingredients that are useless or harmful), little to no active ingredients, and lots of false advertising. Drugstore skin care is made in masses and is advertised to every skin type and condition assuming the every ingredient will work for everyone. These mass marketing strategies are to save a company money and can be detrimental to some. Medical grade skin care is not advertised to every skin type and is always made in smaller batches which equates to fresh ingredients and less preservatives.

5 - Being your own Aesthetician

Leave the professional grade treatments to your local aesthetician. We are constantly bombarded on our social media about the latest skin care trends, hacks, and at-home treatments. Don’t get me wrong, not all trends or skin care hacks are bad, but some trends could cause some serious adverse reactions and long term damage. Although DIY skincare can be cheap and accessible, there is usually little to no research done on these at home treatments. On top of that, not every skin trend is going to work for every skin type and condition. DIY home care can lead to bacteria infections, food allergies, micro tears in the skin, blistering, scabs, and scars. Instead of risking it, and possibly having to pay more in the long run for the damage you could cause, talk to your local aesthetician about a recommendation for your concerns or sign up for a skin consultation!

So tell us in the comments! Are you guilty of any of the above? We hope you've learned a lot from this post and that it will help you break any bad habits. We're here for you!