Our complexions tell a story: one look at your skin and a trained professional can easily tell whether or not you’re dehydrated, skimping on sleep, or lacking vitamins. Unfortunately, the average untrained eye is privy to some of these telltale signs as well. You can avoid some of these things just by taking really good care of your skin on the product side – and as the weather changes, so should your skincare routine. With fall here in all of its pumpkin-spiced glory, it’s the perfect opportunity to break free of 4 damaging habits that are aging you and making you break out. After all, when your skin looks good, your makeup looks even better.
Failing to Update Your Products
Just like the weather, your skincare is transitional. The same products you’ve been using all summer aren’t going to work for you come autumn and winter. Your skin will naturally try to self-adjust to the cooler, dryer temperatures of the season, and if you aren’t using the right products, your skin will overcorrect itself, thus leading to oilier or dryer skin, depending on your skin type. On the flipside, don’t overwhelm your skin with several new products at once, either, as that can lead to dehydration and sensitized skin. Use your best judgment on the products best for your skin type, and introduce one or two new products at a time, such a face wash and nighttime moisturizer.
Only Using SPF During the Summer
It’s easy to think about and remember to wear sunscreen during the summer; reminders to wear it are everywhere you go. However, the sun’s damaging rays don’t just magically disappear as the leaves change colors. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is ditching your SPF routine once autumn rolls around. You risk leaving your skin exposed, thus stressing it out as it tries to use its natural melanin reserves to fight off damage. The easiest fix is choosing a daytime moisturizer that already contains SPF, such as Murad’s Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30. It protects against both burning and aging rays, as well as other environmental stressors (such as pollution), while neutralizing free radicals and renewing your skin’s moisture barrier.
Using Dirty Makeup Brushes on Your Face
When is the last time you washed your makeup brushes? If you have to think about it, it’s been too long. Using dirty makeup brushes is a common reason for skin flare-ups, yet it’s often overlooked. Your brushes can trap oils and bacteria in them, which you then can transfer back and forth between your products and your face. This practice can mess up your skin royally, leading to congestion and even infetions. More than that, it leads to a shorter shelf life for your brushes and beauty products. Combat this by properly caring for and cleaning your brushes, giving them a deep clean about every 2 week. Be sure to also get into the practice of giving them a quick rinse after every use. After you apply your makeup, simply give your brushes a few quick spritzes of Sephora’s Daily Brush Cleaner and wipe them off on a tissue. It’s quick, simple, and makes the process of actually washing your brushes far less time-consuming.
Not Using a Primer
A makeup primer does just what its name suggests: it primes your skin for makeup. But what does that actually mean? Using a primer on your skin helps fill in fine lines, offering up a smoother canvas for your foundation. It’s an important step in your skincare routine because a primer can also provide a thin barrier between your skin and your makeup, preventing any products from suffocating your skin and clogging your pores. When choosing a primer, be sure to read the ingredients – you won’t reap any skincare benefits if your primer is filled with silicone and oil. Skindinavia’s the Makeup Primer Spray has neither of those and comes in a convenient spray, so you don’t have to use any of those dirty makeup brushes on your face!