Ever wonder why your skin isn't looking its best? Read below to find out what you are doing wrong and how you can fix it!
1. You are dehydrated
- Ensure you are drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day
2. You aren’t sleeping enough
- Ensure you are getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep as this is the time when your skin cells are repairing and regenerating
3. You are relying upon only makeup wipes to wash your face
- Ensure you follow up with a cleanser
- Some makeup wipes contain harsh chemicals that dry out and irritate your skin, try opting for micellar water and cotton pads instead
4. You don’t change your pillowcase often enough
- Oils and bacteria from your hair transfer to your skin overnight so ensure you change your pillowcase at least once a week
5. Your phone isn’t clean
- Bacteria from the surface of your phone screen transfer onto your face when you talk on the phone so make sure you wipe down your phone with antibacterial or alcohol wipes, wash your hands frequently before using and think about where you place your phone especially when it is face down
6. You are using too much air conditioning
- Air conditioners dry out your skin, disrupting your skin’s natural moisture balance, in some cases it can cause your skin to itch and flake, especially if you have skin conditions like eczema, rosacea or psoriasis, it may worsen
7. You aren’t exfoliating
- Exfoliate at least once a week to remove dead skin cells that are clogging your skin and allow your topical products to absorb better into your skin
8. You aren’t protecting your skin from UV rays
- Incorporate a moisturiser or foundation containing SPF and also apply sunscreen after moisturising, before you begin your makeup routine
- Try avoiding peak sun hours
9. You aren’t eating a healthy diet
- Try incorporating foods rich in anti-oxidants and good fats whilst cutting down on foods high in sugar in salt as well as processed foods
10. You are not washing your makeup brushes enough
- Wash your brushes with a gentle shampoo until you see no residue at least once a week if they are for face products but once every two weeks if they are for eye products
11. You are not following product expiry dates
- Look on the bottom or sides of the container of your products to see a stamped expiration date to see the prescribed period after opening (a little symbol with an open jar containing a number and letter M)
- Typically moisturisers, eye creams and sunscreens should be replaced after 12 months
- Mascara and liquid eyeliner should be replaced after 3 months
- Eyeliner and eyeshadows should be replaced after 6-9 months
- Foundations and concealers should be replaced after 12 months
- Powders, lipsticks, blushes and contour should be replaced after 18-24 months
12. You are stressed
- Try to meditate, practise deep breathing and mindfulness, keep a journal or exercise
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