- Don’t: Tan | Do: Sunscreen
The worst of all skincare sins is not wearing your sunscreen, every day. Here in Florida our weather can vacillate at the drop of a hat, and of course it’s hot. But it’s easy to forget when it’s cools off or gets cloudy to continue to wear your sunscreen. Dermatologist would agree that UVA/UVB damage can still occur, and occasionally is worse due to one’s lack of sun protection on cloudy or cold days.
Freddy from iCarly applying sunscreen for “cloud burn” anyone? No? Just me? Okay well, they weren’t too far off.
If you want a bit of a glow, go for the tan without the sun damage at the bare minimum. You can go for a spray tan or try a gradual tanning lotion.
I’m actually a huge fan of one by Bondi Sands.
2. Don’t: overdo mechanical exfoliation | Do: Use Retin-A or Retinols or AHAs
I’m not trying to throw any particular physical exfoliant under the bus here but…okay, I’m looking at you St. Ives Apricot scrub. I think every 90s girl come middle school age thought that was a good idea. Spoiler alert: it’s not. In fact, harsh scrubs can cause micro tears in the skin. Think of those wee grains of sugar as tiny shards of glass. Yeah, I’m serious. There are rare cases in which physical exfoliation can be okay and that is usually when the physical particles in the mask/scrub are perfectly round, such as Jojoba beads. The logic being that they simply roll around on the skin lifting the upper dead layer as they go. Even so, one must be careful not to be too aggressive with their pressure.
Otherwise, Retin-A or the OTC version Retinol is a fantastic skincare ingredient to begin in your 20s. Chemical exfoliants can also provide you with a more even skin glow.
3. Don’t: Over pluck your eyebrows | Do: chose an eyebrow size & style that match your individual features (not trends)
Need some extra help? Consider consulting a professional and seeking tips on how to properly shape and groom your brows. If that’s too far gone, do some research on Microblading. Although the upfront cost can be rather expensive (on average around $500) with the right artist it can be worth it, and last for up to 2 years in some cases. Not to mention saving you time and money in the future swimming through a sea of gimmicky “brow serums” or makeup to fill your brows in.
4. Don’t: Compare yourself to celebrities or social media influencers | Do: Only compare yourself to YOU
With social media constantly serving us tiny waists, tans, voluptuous lips, and perfect skin, it’s easy to think “why don’t I look like that”. But the reality is: that’s not reality, most of it isn’t. Photo editing apps and social media platform filters are extremely deceiving. Absolutely, there is always room for self-improvement. However, the only person you should be comparing yourself to is your past self. Not to mention, many different body types, skin types, hair types and more exists, and that’s what makes you uniquely beautiful. So why strive to be a clone? Skin, hair, body, and beauty goals however are completely okay. Just begin by being realistic and in the right mindset for why you’re doing those things.
5. Don’t: Vape or Smoke | Do: Don’t start, or stop ASAP
Do we really need to reiterate the horror of smoking? But even vaping your strawberry banana nut bread, isn’t glamorous in so many ways.
Check out this article by Allure “What Does Vaping Do to Your Skin?”
https://www.allure.com/story/vaping-side-effects-skin
And, Glamour Magazines “From ageing to acne: Here’s what vaping is doing to your skin”
https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/vaping-effect-on-skin
Enough said.
6. Don’t: Try to treat every skin concern at once | Do: See a dermatologist and/or do your research
You’ll be hard pressed to find a real person without multiple skin concerns. Shout out to my acne and melasma ladies out there. Sometimes, a single product can benefit both! For instance, Azelaic acid is a great multipurpose topical. However, in a lot of instances, I often run into a lot of ladies using multiple products to try to tackle absolutely every skin concern they have all at once. Although skincare “layering” and use of multiple products is possible. I often find that many individuals don’t do their research, and can end up using several products with similar side effects. This often results in dry, sensitized, and irritated skin and/or an impaired moisture barrier. I always recommend seeing a dermatologist when possible to address all of your concerns, and what may be the best course of action to treat them. It’s important to remember to be realistic, and most of the time results can simply take time & consistency. Patience is a virtue!
Disclaimer: I am not a physician. All articles are for informational purposes and based off personal experiences regarding the topic. Articles are not intended to treat or diagnose any conditions nor should they be taken as medical recommendations. Please consult your Doctor/Dermatologist for diagnosis or treatment. Individuals will experience treatments, procedures, and medications differently and your Doctor will determine if a treatment is right for you. Posts may contain affiliate links, for which I may receive a small compensation at no additional cost to the reader when a product is purchased. All opinions on products, treatments, and procedures are my own and based off personal experience. Photos used on the website and all social media accounts for femininefacets.com are either free for use stock images or taken by me unless otherwise stated. All content is written by me unless otherwise stated.