1. The Mistake: Excessive Exfoliation
Maybe one day you will discover a new exfoliant and figure, Why not double up and use it twice a day to speed up the results. The end result? Skin stripped clean of its protective barrier. Always read the product recommendations when it comes to how often you should exfoliate. Any type of exfoliant, be it a Clarisonic, acid peel, facial scrub, or microdermabrasion wipes away dead skin cells. Yes, this is effective, but excessive use can be detrimental, so be cautious. Typically, I recommend exfoliating once a week. If you overdo it, simply stop exfoliating for one week and use an excess amount of moisturizer the following week. Slathering on a creamy moisturizer (Dermalogica's Intense Moisture Balance) will help your skin to feel smoother and less irritated.
2. The Mistake: Pimple Popping
It happens, you pick at a zit hoping to make it go away sooner. The problem? Bacteria got in and caused it to look and feel worse! This type of mistake can cause scarring, so start by fully disinfecting the pimple with a treatment that fights germs (Dermalogica's Special Cleansing Booster) and then apply a salicylic acid treatment (Dermalogica's Overnight Clearing Gel) to clear it up. Keep it hydrated over the next few days, and you should be on your way to clear skin soon.
3. The Mistake: You Forgot your SPF
You forgot to cover up. Just one time is too many, and can result in a painful, red, inflamed burn, otherwise known as skin damage. How do you relieve the pain (and redness)? First things first, take an anti-inflammatory pill and apply a cool washcloth that's been soaked in cold milk for a few minutes here and there the first day. Yes, you read that correctly, the proteins will help calm your skin. After that, avoid exfoliating and add a dark-spot treatment (Dermalogica's C-12 Pure Bright Serum) to your routine. This will help prevent sunspots from developing and fade any existing ones.
4. The Mistake: You Slept in Your Makeup!
The problem with this is that your skin heals and regenerates as you sleep, so by forgetting to cleanse your face, you're preventing new, fresh skin from forming. Instead, your skin is soaking in excess grime, dirt, and oil. This causes clogged pores, which lead to breakouts, which, luckil,y is something you can reverse. As soon as you wake up, double-wash your face. That's right, twice. First, to remove any makeup that wasn't washed away with your remover, and second, for a deep cleanse. If you notice any pimples beginning to form simply apply a germ-fighting treatment (Dermalogica's Special Cleansing Booster). Next, apply your moisturizer and skip makeup for at least a day. Using only a tinted moisturizer (Dermalogica's Concealing Spot Treatment) and concealer if necessary.
5. The Mistake: You Drank too Much Wine and Your Skin is Turning a Deep Shade of Pink.
This is common among those with Rosacea. Just a single glass can cause a dark, rosy glow. So, avoid the heat! Turn up the AC, sit in front of a fan, or use an ice pack occasionally to help reduce inflammation. Also, try spraying a cooling, soothing spritz (Dermalogica's Ultra Calming Mist) on your face to help minimize redness quickly. Next time you want to sip a glass of wine, try a white variety to prevent any unnecessary redness.
If I missed any mistakes, please call any of our 4 locations to schedule a skin care consultation today so we can help you fix it! Like this post? Share it on Facebook!
