How To: Avoid 10 Major Skin Sins

We've all committed a few skin sins in our time, and while I try to avoid them, I will be honest, I certainly am guilty of doing the odd one from time to time. Of course, being human, we may slip up from at some point, so treat this post as a cautionary tale, but don't feel too bad if you've done one or two (or many) things on the list before - you're certainly not alone!

1) Don't go to bed with your makeup on
This is one of my biggest no nos! When I was younger and used to go out and party, I would sometimes go to bed and wake up looking extra haggard. Give your skin the chance to recover and repair, not to mention breathe. Makeup removal doesn't have to be hard - in fact, it takes a lot less effort to take it off these days, particularly with all the excellent micellar waters on the market, not to mention wipes!

For micellar water, try:
Bioderma Makeup Removing Micelle Solution
A'kin Cleansing Micellar Water
Natura Siberica Moisturizing Foam Eye Make Up Remover

For wipes, try:
Biore Daily Deep Pore Cleansing Wipes
Philosophy Purity Facial Cleansing Cloths
FAB First Aid Beauty Caffeine Matcha Wake Up Wipes

2)  You rarely wear SPF during the day

No matter what time of year it is, wherever you are, you should definitely wear SPF during the day. Did you know that Australian women age at a faster rate compared to a large part of the rest of the world? How frightening is that? Just because you can't see the sun doesn't mean that the rays aren't present. For the babes that are allergic to typical SPF, you can certainly try zinc as an alternative - there are tons of good ones on the market these days!

Try:
Ultraceuticals Ultra UV Protective Daily Moisturiser SPF 50+
Skin Physics Dragon's Blood Radiance Daily Moisturiser SPF 15
SunSense Sensitive Invisible SPF 50+ For Sensitive Skin

3) Don't squeeze your pimples
Yup, haven't we all been there? The temptation is so great, it's hard not to pop a zit that's practically waiting to be deflated! However (I bet you saw that coming!), this could damage your skin by traumatising it, and you could also be introducing bacteria to compromised skin, so make sure you deal with it appropriately by using the right products to battle your blemishes!

Try:
Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser
Nip + Fab Teen Skin Fix Breakout Rescue Pads
Ego AZ Clear Action Medicated Lotion

4) Cleaning your makeup brushes never, or rarely, occurs
Don't be a grub, they need a scrub! I never quite realised that you could wash brushes when I was in my 20s, and now that I use makeup regularly, I do wash them every couple of weeks. This helps to prevent the makeup from caking on my brushes, and decreases the spread of bacteria as I press the brushes to my skin. And that freshly washed brush feel? Love it!

Try:
Beautyblender Solid Blender Cleanser
Lottie London Soap Star Solid Brush Cleanser

5) You feel like exfoliating is that one step you don't need
If you're afraid of exfoliating your skin, think about this - exfoliation helps with the absorption of your serum and lotion. Not only that, it also buffs away dead skin cells, making it so that you can have fresh and soft skin, ready for moisturising!

For traditional washes, try:
Medik8 Pore Refining Scrub Dual Action Exfoliator
Biore Baking Soda Cleansing Scrub
Caolion O2 Sparkling Blackhead Soap

For exfoliating pads, try:
Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads
Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Night Pads Extreme
FAB First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

6) Don't neglect your decolletage and neck
As I've gotten older, I've become more aware of the areas I've been neglecting in the past, namely the neck and decolletage. As such, I've been more eager to address it, and I've been slathering lotions on those areas. Just because your face appears young, it doesn't mean that you can't give your age away with your neck and chest, so make sure you take good care of them!

Try:
Dr Hauschka Regenerating Neck and Decollete Cream
Skin Physics Advance Superlift Neck Lifting and Firming Cream
Jurlique Herbal Recovery Neck Serum

7) Take care of your undereye area

This spot is more delicate and fragile than other parts of your face, and you should therefore not rub your eyes too often (or too hard!). More importantly, you should also attend to the skin with specific products meant for the area. Remember to tap the cream/lotion on lightly with your ring finger (fourth finger, counting from the thumb), as this finger has the least amount of strength in it. From time to time, you should also look at using a specific mask for the area. Keeping it hydrated makes you look less tired!

Try:
Organic Island Restructuring Eye Creme
Mesoestetic Energy C Eye Contour
Arcona Eye Dew
Natura Siberica Age Delay Eye Serum
Enbacci Age Revitalising Eye Defence
Skin Physics Dragon's Blood Collagen Eye Zone Mask

8) Change up your skincare routine according to the season

Like with your foundation, you should be changing your skincare routine when the weather gets cooler, and again as it warms up. Consider a brightening serum for the duller, darker months to lift the skin, and something lighter for the warmer, muggier days. If you're feeling a little lost, you can think about getting a set that contains a variety of products for you to swap in and out accordingly.

Try:
Ole Henriksen 3 Little Wonders
Philosophy Brighten My Day All Over Skin Perfecting Brightening Essence
Skin Physics Oxygen-C Super Serum

9) Remember to take care of your body

While your face is important, the rest of the body is too! I must confess, I moisturise my body daily, because if I didn't, my skin would feel immeasurably dry and uncomfortable. And if you're not doing so, you are absolutely missing out! With such a range, going from serums and oils to lotions and butters, it's not hard to find something that would suit your skin. You can even add a glow and some light to your skin, particularly as the days are warming up, which means that the pins should be on display shortly!

For a nourishing treat for your skin, try:
Mesoestetic Stem Cell Body Serum
The Body Shop British Rose Instant Glow Body Butter
Bio-Oil

For a golden glow, try:
Nip + Fab Shimmer Leg Fix
Jergens Natural Glow + Firming Daily Moisturizer

10) Rest is important for your skin
In the current work climate, where people can be reached at all times in every corner of the world, it's hard to take a break, relax and sleep the hours required to stay fresh and relaxed. Everything that you process mentally will eventually show on your skin, particularly if your day to day life is stressful. To ensure that you get a good night's rest, you can consider a few different options that aren't absolutely pharmaceutical.

Try:
T2's Moroccan Dreams Loose Leaf Tea
Blackmores Women's D-Stress (to help with stress)
Jurlique Calming Blend Aromatherapy Mist

If you have any further skin sins you can think of, feel free to chime in! Are you guilty of any of the above?

*These products were provided for editorial consideration